WHY HYDROFLUORIC ACID?

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2 WHY HYDROFLUORIC ACID? To give effect to NICNAS recommendation (HF declared priority substance) Ensure appropriate information (MSDS/Label) available Raise awareness & ensure controls in place Nasty acid! corrosive & toxic

3 HYDROFLUORIC ACID [ 0.1% to 70% HF ] CLASSIFIED AS HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE - >0.1% 7% Very toxic (T+) Corrosive (C) 1% < 7% Toxic (T) Corrosive (C) 0.1% <1% Harmful (Xn) Irritant (Xi) CLASSIFIED AS A DANGEROUS GOODS Primary risk - Class 8 (corrosive) Subsidiary risk - Class 6.1 (toxic) SCHEDULED POISON (DHS) > 1% Sch 7 Dangerous Poison >0.1% 1.0% 0.1% Sch 6 Poison Sch 5 Caution

4 HEALTH EFFECTS Displaces calcium & causes agonising burns (even 2%) Burns penetrate deeply and pain is often delayed Can cause death depends on; concentration size of area in contact duration of contact Death usually from cardiac arrest as fluoride displaces calcium from the body Death can occur from a splash to 2.5% body surface from conc. (70%) HF FURTHER EGS IN NICNAS REPORT 19

5 WORKSAFE INTERVENTION/PROJECT STAGE 1 Manufacturers & importers Conducted by Occupational Hygiene Unit (OHU) 2011 MSDS Labels STAGE 2 End users (employer duties - controls) Conducted by Inspectorate /OHU Target list based on information from suppliers Pilot Visits conducted by OHU prior to launch Powder coaters Aluminium window manufacturers Electroplaters Metal treatment/cleaning/etching Drycleaners Car detailers Also looked at their controls - Health and Safety Solution - HF - Inspector Checklist - List of suppliers of antidote - Inspector briefing

6 STAGE 1: MANUFACTURERES/IMPORTERS Approx 50 manufacturers/importers visited Approx 30 improvement notices Concentrates handled 35/40% HF Range of HF products made (various solutions/products, pickling pastes, foam mag wheel cleaner etc)) Products generally <10% HF Products may contain other acids (eg nitric, sulphuric)

7 STAGE2: END USERS Approx 230 visits (approx 100 workplaces)* Approx 210 notices Products handled generally <10% HF Various size containers [5L, 25L to 200litre drums]. Diluted products <1%HF (eg powder coaters) 5% stainless steel (anodizing/pickling) * Drycleaners small proportion (of 80) * Car detailers not visited (150)- sent letter

8 STAGE 1 FINDINGS MSDS S More than 5 years old (not reviewed/revised) No Australian manufacturer/importer details No Australian emergency contacts (overseas, 000 or Poisons) Incorrect/missing risk and safety phrases Vague control recommendations ( use with adequate ventilation ; use chemical resistant /impervious gloves ; use mask ) Overseas standards (eg exposure standards; ppe standards) Inconsistencies between MSDS & labels (Australian MSDS but overseas label) Lack of detail on health effects Lack of detail on first aid & emergency showers/eyewash

9 STAGE 1 FINDINGS LABELS Inconsistencies between MSDS and labels inc; Australian MSDS but label from overseas Label information not reviewed when MSDS updated Risk & safety phrases Incorrect manufacturer or importer details Incorrect /missing risk and safety phrases

10 STAGE 2: FINDINGS END USERS Inadequate Hazardous Substances Register (List / MSDS) Poor awareness of health hazards (esp small workplaces) Poor controls (handling, decanting, transferring items, ppe) Inadequate emergency & first aid facilities Eye wash/shower facilities Calcium gluconate gel (expired or not available) Inadequate storage of dangerous goods Contents of baths/tanks not identified. * Some of these issues also applied to manufacturers

11 WHAT WAS ACHIEVED Compliant MSDS & labels Major HF supplier sent out information to end users about project and retrained sales reps on HF issues. Increased awareness of the hazards Elimination of HF use (some car detailers) Substitution with lower % HF substances Significant improvement in controls (handling/decanting/transferring/ppe) Installation of plumbed emergency shower/eyewash facilities(>1%hf) First aid procedures developed & displayed Availability of calcium gluconate within expiry date

12 REFERENCES Health & Safety Solution Hydrofluoric acid - Worksafe VIC NICNAS PEC Report No. 19 PACIA Code of Practice for Hydrofluoric acid (2006) Honeywell recommended medical treatment for HF THANK YOU