Handling Characteristics That Are Likely To Increase the Potential Hazard of a Substance

Handling Characteristics That Are Likely To Increase the Potential Hazard of a Substance

Intrinsic hazards are those that are characteristic to a material. A material that has an intrinsic hazard is likely to cause harm if it is handled inappropriately (Nigam, Maheshwari, and Rao, 2009). Certain characteristics of handling a material make the potential of harm rise. If there is intention to lower the harm potential, the handling methods must be controlled.

Heat

The potential of harm often increases when the temperatures are increased in the course of handling. In the cases of gaseous material, increasing the temperature raises the pressure in the handling containers and increases the chances of leakage and exposure. Leakage on the other hand would imply that the sisk also increases for the case of materials that are inflammable (Nigam, Maheshwari, and Rao, 2009).

Speed

Explosive materials are required to be handled at low speed. If the speed of the transporting instrument is increased, the potential of exploding also increases (Nigam, Maheshwari, and Rao, 2009). It is therefore important that such materials are handled at lower speeds to minimize the potential of harm.

Frequency of handling

The usage of a harmful material should not be made regular. Regular usage of such materials increases the risk of those individuals who are in contact and those in the vicinity (Nigam, Maheshwari, and Rao, 2009). Minimizing the frequency of usage lowers the risk of the harm taking place. It does this by lowering the time of exposure to individuals and the environment.

Volume

The volume of the substance being handled also determines the potential of harm. If a small volume of a hazardous substance is being transported, the potential of harm is largely minimized (Nigam, Maheshwari, and Rao, 2009). High volumes have a high potential of causing harm. It is therefore important that the substance be transported in small volumes to lower the risk.

References

Nigam, N. C., Maheshwari, A. K., & Rao, N. P. (2009). Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment. IFFCO–Aonla Trainng manual.