There are several settings where management of chemicals and possible related hazards is vital, and industrial construction is a great example. Within many such areas, including construction, a common and often ideal approach to chemical and other toxic substance management - and one recommended by the OSHA - is known as a hierarchy of controls.
At Redi, we're here to offer numerous industrial construction services to clients in Colorado, Wyoming and Nevada - including comprehensive safety training programs that cover any necessary areas, chemical management among them. The OSHA recommends following a hierarchy for protecting workers, one that puts emphasis on highly effective control methods that begin with removing hazards where possible. Here's a top-down look at this hierarchy of controls, plus how to be thinking about each major area on any construction site where chemicals are present.
As we noted above, the top of the hierarchy is elimination of hazards - the most direct way to protect workers from any potential danger, and a top priority when managing chemicals. This can be as simple as replacing hazardous materials with safer, less toxic alternatives where possible.
This may sound simple, but it can be a nuanced process. The first step here is simple identification of which chemicals need to be managed and the amount of time they'll be present. It's also essential to think about any circumstances that may require use or supplementation with additional hazardous materials, even if these are not part of your team's daily operations.
Once you have identified a hazardous material, it's important to keep track of how much is used - when possible, minimizing the amount of hazardous material can be key to eliminating the hazard altogether. That said, sometimes its necessary to use - or supplement with - certain materials that may be hazardous, depending on your job and project.
In some cases, elimination of hazardous materials may be impractical - in which case, substitution with non-toxic, less dangerous substances is a great next step. This can require additional research and testing, of course, but if it's possible to replace one or more chemical compounds or products without compromising the project itself and its desired outcome, this method of control should be considered.
Now, there are certain situations where substitution will not be an acceptable option - such as when certain hazardous materials are essential components of the project itself. In such cases, it may be necessary to consider other methods of control.
Once elimination or substitution have been carried out to the greatest degree possible, engineering controls are vital for mitigating exposure risk among not only project workers and managers, but also the entire local area. There are several engineering controls that may be used here, including:
These engineering controls should always be in place on a construction site, regardless of the presence of chemicals or other hazardous materials.
In addition to the above-mentioned methods, administrative controls are also essential for protecting workers from exposure or contamination. These can include:
At Redi, we understand the importance of chemical and hazard management - especially when it comes to industrial construction. We take all necessary precautions in order to protect our workers from exposure, contamination or other risks associated with hazardous materials. Our team is highly trained and experienced in the proper handling of such substances, and with a commitment to safety as our primary focus, you can rest assured your project will be completed with the utmost care.
Contact us today to learn about any of our industrial construction services in Colorado, Nevada or Wyoming.
At Redi, we take each and every job that gets put in front of us seriously and are committed to providing our clients with the absolute best service around. Whatever job you need to be completed, we have the skills and expertise to get it done right. Contact us today to learn more about the services we offer, and let's get started on the path to getting the job done right.
Contact Redi to learn more about our industrial construction and maintenance services. Our experts are waiting with solutions to keep your operations running smoothly.