Laserfiche WebLink
Week <br /> 42 <br /> Keeping Chemical Deliveries Safe <br /> One of the most potentially dangerous activities at a water or wastewater plant is the <br /> delivery of hazardous chemicals. Injuries can occur when a chemical is delivered to the <br /> wrong container or the chemical is spilled. Serious injury can result when incompatible toxic <br /> chemicals are inadvertently mixed during delivery. <br /> Safe chemical receiving and unloading procedures, practices, and management controls <br /> should be documented and practiced to ensure the safe delivery of chemicals to utility <br /> facilities. <br /> While the supplier and shipper are responsible for ensuring the chemical load is properly iden- <br /> tified, placarded, and transported, it is up to the staff of the receiving facility to ensure that <br /> ■ the chemical is what was ordered, <br /> ■ the chemical is offloaded safely to the proper place, and <br /> ■ personnel are trained to handle the material correctly. <br /> In addition, facility security protocols should be used to verify in advance who will be deliv- <br /> ering the chemicals and in what manner. A chain of custody should always be maintained <br /> between the manufacturer and the purchaser. It is even common for some utilities to require <br /> background checks on the chemical delivery drivers for their specific utility. <br /> While every chemical has specific safety precautions that must be taken when inspecting <br /> and handling (and these are spelled out in the SDS), the following general procedures should <br /> be followed during the delivery and acceptance of any chemical: <br /> 1. Schedule the delivery so the proper personnel are on site when the chemical is delivered <br /> and the facility is ready to receive the delivery. <br /> Z. Confirm the identity of the delivery driver; verify he or she is who the supplier had <br /> scheduled to make the delivery and that the vehicle or cargo container is the same trans- <br /> port container that is listed on the manifest. <br /> 3. Verify the contents of the container. Read the placard, the bill of lading, and the SDS, <br /> and do any testing necessary. AWWA chemical standards state, "Each product shall be <br /> 111 <br />