What safety precautions should be used when working with xylene?
What Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is needed when working with xylene? Eye/Face Protection: Wear chemical safety goggles. A face shield (with safety goggles) may also be necessary. Skin Protection: Wear chemical protective clothing e.g. gloves, aprons, boots.
What are the health hazards of xylene inhalation?
Exposure to xylene can irritate the eyes, nose, skin, and throat. Xylene can also cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, loss of muscle coordination, and in high doses, death. Workers may be harmed from exposure to xylene. The level of exposure depends upon the dose, duration, and work being done.
What are the safe work practices when working with chemicals?
Never work alone when hazardous chemicals are involved.
- Maintain an organized and orderly facility.
- Communicate hazards to everyone in the facility.
- Follow basic safety procedures.
- Use engineering controls.
- Use PPE as needed or required.
- Follow requirements for high hazard chemicals.
What is one way to minimize the risk of chemical permeation into protective clothing?
In many cases, simple protective clothing by itself may be sufficient to prevent chemical exposure, such as wearing gloves in combination with a splash apron and faceshield (or safety goggles).
What are the pros and cons of using xylene?
Table 2
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Reasonably fast drying and leaves no residue | Cannot be distilled |
| Reduced fire risk | Samples take more time to dry thoroughly |
| Has a high vapor pressure, and thus does not evaporate fast. | Degreasing effect on skin |
| Hence, cover slipping multiple slides is easy |
What are the safety and environmental issues pertaining to xylene?
Many of the effects seen after their exposure to xylene could have been caused by exposure to other chemicals that were in the air with xylene. Results of studies in animals indicate that large amounts of xylene can cause changes in the liver and harmful effects on the kidneys, lungs, heart, and nervous system.
How long do xylene fumes last?
Xylene is metabolized to methylhippuric acid, which is excreted in urine. Xylene is almost completely excreted within 24 hours.
How can an employer prevent their employees from being exposed to hazardous substances?
Reporting defects/insufficiencies in control measures. Wearing and storing personal protective equipment (PPE) Removing PPE that could cause contamination before eating or drinking. Making proper use of washing, showering and bathing facilities when required.
How will you keep the workplace and equipment safe?
10 Easy Workplace Safety Tips
- Train employees well.
- Reward employees for safe behavior.
- Partner with occupational clinicians.
- Use labels and signs.
- Keep things clean.
- Make sure employees have the right tools and have regular equipment inspections.
- Encourage stretch breaks.
- Implement safety protocols from the start.
What PPE should you use when working with a hazardous chemical that poses a risk of a splash hazard but not an inhalation hazard select all that apply?
Chemical splash goggles underneath a face shield must be worn when a chemical fume hood is not used and there is a potential for a hazardous substance to splash.
What is the best safety practice recommended before leaving the chemistry laboratory?
Avoid direct contact with any chemical. Never smell, inhale or taste laboratory chemicals. Always wash hands and arms with soap and water after removing gloves and before leaving the work area.
Is xylene bad for the environment?
Xylene is a liquid, and it can leak into soil, surface water (creeks, streams, rivers), or groundwater. Xylene can enter the environment when it is made, packaged, shipped, or used. Most xylene that is accidentally released evaporates into the air, although some is released into rivers or lakes.