Forest Operations > Operational Hazards > Hazardous Substances

Hazardous Substances

Most forestry substances such as diesel, engine oil, hydraulic oil and engine coolant are hazardous.  All can cause injury or harm to your health if not handled and used correctly (Fig 38).

Fig 38 The operator is fuelling up his machine.

It is a legal requirement that all of these substances are stored, used and disposed of safely and in line with the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) information. 

What is a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)?

A Material Safety Data Sheer (MSDS) is a document with information on the potential health hazards of coming into contact with substances and chemicals. It also identifies the safe working procedures needed when you are handling them.

An MSDS is an important starting point for you to understand the total health and safety program in the forest work place.

The MSDS contains important information on the:

• Transportation and storage requirements, e.g. substances stored in their original containers with the label intact at all times;
• Identity of the hazardous substance;
• Chemical and physical properties;
• Health hazard information;
• First Aid (How to identify symptoms);
• Precautions with use;
• Safe handling (includes transport, storage) information;
• Environmental cleanup requirements.

For more information on MSDS visit the website below:

http://www.translinknet.be/translation/msds/definition.html

Click here to download an example of an MSDS for anti-freeze/anti boil.           

General safety tips when handling hazardous substances

When you are working as a machine operator, truck driver or in any other position in the forest you may come into contact with a variety of hazardous substances as part of your daily tasks.

It is essential that you make sure you are familiar with all of the safety requirements for the substance you are using.

Some of the important things you should know about are listed below.

• Read and follow the MSDS for information on hazards, PPE, safe handling, transport, storage and disposal for each hazardous substance (Fig’s 39a and 39b).
• Wear appropriate PPE when handling and using hazardous substances.
• Report faulty equipment used for re-fueling or topping up oils in machinery.
• Don’t eat, drink or smoke while topping up with fuel or oil.
• Clean all spills thoroughly to avoid run-off and contamination of the environment
• After handling substances, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating, drinking, smoking, or going to the toilet.
• Do NOT store hazardous substances in plastic drink containers.
• All substances must only be stored in their allocated containers.
• If a label is damaged/unreadable don’t use and ask for further advice.

Suppliers of hazardous substances are legally required to make available safety information in the form of an MSDS for each product.

Fig 39a Make sure you correctly store hazardous substances

Fig 39b Secure hazardous substances for transportation

Self Help Activity 17, Hazardous Substances

Download the activity by clicking the icon above. When completed please submit via the LMS or directly to your trainer.