Dangerous substances are defined by their nature and the danger they cause or may cause. To be considered dangerous, they must meet the requirements in the regulation on the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and compounds, or the so-called CLP regulation. It covers in detail the properties of substances that make them, for example, corrosive. Hazardous substances must be specially labelled.
The regulation does not cover radioactive substances. Special laws, which are under the authority of the Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority, deal with the use and labelling of radioactive substances.
If toxic substances are used in the workplace, a from the AOSH is required.
Carcinogens are substances that are known to cause cancer in humans or animals. These are usually long-term effects, and the consequences often take years or decades to emerge.
Nanomaterials are a rapidly growing class of substances. These are substances, either dangerous or not, which appear in the form of small particles, 1-100 nm. The substances are used, for example, in surface treatment of surfaces, among other things, to facilitate disinfection.
Various studies suggest that substances may be more harmful in nano form than conventional forms.
Explosive substances are used to some extent in the construction industry. In order to be allowed to buy and use explosives, a special permit from the police is required, which one obtains when the following conditions are met:
have passed a practical exam certified by a certified explosives validator.
Pesticides and herbicides are substances used to eradicate pests or fight plant diseases. These substances are not always classified as toxic, that is to say with the GHS 06 label.
To be able to buy and use pesticides at work, a permit from the Environment Agency of Iceland is required.
Labeling of hazardous substances
According to regulations, the packaging of dangerous substances must be labelled with hazard pictograms that indicate the dangers posed by the substances, so-called GHS pictograms. They are discussed in more detail in the booklet .
Safety data sheets
Safety data sheets must be available where dangerous substances are used. Safety data sheets are information sheets in sixteen sections which deal with hazards, prevention, personal protective equipment and so on, that apply to the relevant substance.
Substance suppliers are required to deliver safety data sheets in Icelandic or English with their substances to buyers free of charge.
Employers are responsible for familiarizing staff with the contents of the sheets.
Substances can be explosive, flammable, radioactive, poisonous, irritating, corrosive and environmentally polluting. They can be gases under pressure or have effects that appear later. A single substance can involve different hazards and may be flammable, corrosive, and harmful to health.
In workplaces where dangerous substances are used, a special risk assessment for substances must be carried out. The risk assessment should be based on information from safety data sheets that accompany the materials used. The risk assessment is part of the company’s written health and safety plan.
For support, an electronic tool can be used to identify and reduce hazards associated with dangerous substances and chemical products in the workplace.
Substances can be imported into the body through different pathways such as:
respiratory system
skin
digestive tract
At workplaces the risk from inhalation is greatest, followed by skin contact, but rarely through the digestive tract.
The condition of chemicals is important.
In other situations, harmless substances may be dangerous in hot water or wheat dust, which could cause an explosion in certain circumstances.
Two or more harmless or innocuous substances may react to form more dangerous substances.
The same substance can be in different states, such as a gas, liquid, or solid.
The processing methods or work descriptions must be kept under review, considering whether the same results can be achieved with non-hazardous or less hazardous materials.
PPE must be assembled with all devices, designed to be worn or held, which are used by staff to protect themselves against risks likely to jeopardize their safety and health, and by any additional devices with an equivalent purpose.
Personal protective equipment can be:
gloves
protective clothing
breathing masks
Personal protective equipment must be used when the risk of using hazardous materials cannot be avoided. Safety data sheets for dangerous substances, where provided for under Section eight, shall indicate the use of personal protective equipment with the substances in question.
Dangerous substances storage places and containers must be appropriately marked with warning signs.
Danger-labelled substances should be stored in a closed container, properly labelled and, where possible, in their original packaging. They should be stored in a locked and secure storage.
A list of contents must be available and regularly updated so that it provides an accurate picture of the substances in the storage at any given time.
Substances not in use must be disposed of appropriately. Information on disposal can be found in section 13 of the safety data sheet.
Substances forgotten in storage can create a particular hazard. Packaging can give way over time, allowing chemicals to leak out and create danger.
Workplace exposure limits are the maximum concentration of substances that may be present in indoor air in workplaces, both based on an eight-hour working day and fifteen-minute peaks (ceiling values).
Employers must ensure that exposure is within the specified limits. Information on substance exposure limits can be found in the appendix to the Regulation on Exposure Limits and Measures to Reduce Pollution in Workplaces.
Whereas companies using large quantities of dangerous substances should have a major-accident prevention policy (LINK) drawn up, together with a safety management system which provides for the continuous and systematic monitoring of hazards and dangerous substances at the establishment;
A major accident is an uncontrolled chain of events in the handling of chemicals such as spillage, fire or explosion, which constitutes a serious risk to health and/or the environment, both inside and outside the facilities containing the chemicals.
Flammable materials can cause fires that spread outside establishments.
Explosives can destroy large areas and cause loss of life.
Toxins that escape from their storage sites can cause damage to people and the environment long after the spill.
