1. In your own words, define what chemical safety is and state its importance to your life as
(1) A member of the community,
: As a member of a community, we must thoroughly know the different chemical hazards around us
since it is very common in our community to have chemical accidents that can cause us property damage,
injuries, or in worse case scenarios, fatalities.
First off, what is Chemical safety? It is the practice of one-self on how to handle different chemicals, to
know the risks involving chemicals, to know how the chemicals work, and to practice safety around the
chemicals.
Back at the importance of it to my life in the community, we all have a role in the community to ensure
our safety as well as safety of others inside our community. The most obvious part in our chemical safety
on the community is to follow the guides or laws that our own local government made regarding
chemicals. This will help us in case of emergency involving chemical accidents. Another is having the
knowledge on the simplest rules such as “No littering”, “Do not throw trash (in a specific area)”, etc.
Since this simple act will help us avoid having a bigger accident. And lastly is this will make us a more
upright citizen in our community and can also serve to inspire others on learning this kind of safety
practices.
(2) A student of Chemistry for Engineers who is to undergo laboratory classes
: As a student, it IS very important to know chemical safety because we will be dealing with different
chemicals that we do not or rarely know since it's not common to see it or use it on our home or
community. We are still learning so we must be attentive on the safety and precautions for each chemical
that we will be dealing with and we must know every chemical hazard around us with the guide of Hazard
symbols and practice personal safety. All of it is very important to our life as a student since this will help
us avoid such incidents inside the lab.
(3) A future professional working in the engineering field.
: Even as a professional, who probably knows many of the do’s and don'ts around a lab, we still need
to practice chemical safety. Being a professional isn’t an excuse to neglect our safety just because we
know our way on dealing with different substances. It is still very important to our life as a professional
since dealing with chemicals aren’t a joke.
2. Cite the difference between “hazard” and “risk” by giving an example.
: HAZARD - something that has the potential to harm you.
: RISK – The likelihood of a hazard causing harm.
Example:
HAZARD
RISK
Cleaning products at home.
Gasoline in the gas stations.
Electrical wirings at home.
Lighting a candle.
Not wearing a safety attire when dealing with
cleaning products.
Texting while refilling gas at the gas station.
Touching an electrical wiring that has its safety
plastic covering gone.
Touching the fire in the candle.
3. Imagine yourself to be a medical practitioner in a hospital that caters Covid-19 pandemic
patients. Name a hazard under each classification that you are exposed to.
: 1.) Under Health Hazard:
Biological – We are exposed to different types of Pathogens. (Bacteria, Virus, Fungi, etc.)
2.) Physical Hazard:
Punctures – Needles that are used for getting blood samples
Slips and falls – The floor might be slippery or when running to get to another patient.
3.) Environmental Hazard:
Radioactivity – Some patients need more than testing for a simple symptom, so the use of X-rays
or sometime Gamma rays are sometimes needed.
4. How would you determine if a substance is hazardous or not?
: We can determine it by checking labels of the containers to each substance as well as if there are
obvious symbols on it.
5. What is the difference between a physical from chemical hazard? Between chronic and acute
hazard?
PHYSICAL HAZARD
CHEMICAL HAZARD
This includes foreign objects that might cause you
harm such as sharp objects, small objects (that can
cause choking, etc.), Noise that can physically
harm you.
CHRONIC HAZARD
This includes substances or compounds that can
cause you illness or injuries when you got
exposed to it.
It is a hazard that is present around us over a long
period of time.
It is a hazard that is present in a short period of
time.
ACUTE HAZARD