B8.3 Storage of Hazardous Materials

Introduction

Hazardous materials include:

Substances used directly in work activities (e.g. adhesives, paints, cleaning agents).
Substances generated during work activities (e.g. fumes from soldering and welding).
Naturally occurring substances (e.g. grain dust).
Biological agents such as bacteria and other micro-organisms.

Hazardous substances may be found in almost all environments, including factories, farms, shops, laboratories and offices.

Effects of Hazardous Substances

According to the HSE, examples of the effects of hazardous substances include:

Skin irritation or dermatitis as a result of skin contact.
Asthma as a result of developing allergy to substances used at work.
Losing consciousness as a result of being overcome by toxic fumes.
Cancer, which may appear long after the exposure to the chemical that caused it.
Infection from bacteria and other micro-organisms (biological agents).