ASSIGNMENT OCCUPATIONAL TOXICOLOGY

OSH 3823

CLOROX COMPANY

MOGANALINGAM A/L ESWARAN

CMK-02-DOSH-2010002

1
Contents

Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 3

Occupational health hazard ....................................................................................................... 4

Production.................................................................................................................................. 5

Transportation ........................................................................................................................... 5

Receiving .................................................................................................................................... 6

Storage ....................................................................................................................................... 6

Handling ..................................................................................................................................... 7

Disposal ...................................................................................................................................... 7

Control measure ........................................................................................................................ 8

Reference ................................................................................................................................... 9

2
Introduction
We usually hear about chlorine or chlorine-based products in House Cleaning. Even water
including drinking water and swimming pools has chlorine. Many House Cleaning products
contain chlorine, including laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents, chlorine bleach,
chlorinated disinfectant cleaners, mildew removers, and toilet bowl cleaners.

Chlorine is a chemical element with the symbol Cl and atomic number 17. The second-
lightest of the halogens, it appears between fluorine and bromine in the periodic table and
its properties are mostly intermediate between them. Chlorine is a yellow-green gas at room
temperature. Chlorine also can be liquefied under pressure of 7.4 bar at room temperature.
Chlorine has the electron configuration [Ne]3s23p5, with the seven electrons in the third and
outermost shell acting as its valence electrons. Like all halogens, it is thus one electron short
of a full octet, and is hence a strong oxidising agent, reacting with many elements in order to
complete its outer shell.

3
Occupational health hazard
Chlorine (Cl₂) is a greenish-yellow gas with a pungent, irritating odour. Exposure to low levels
of chlorine can result in nose, throat, and eye irritation. At higher levels, breathing chlorine
gas may result in changes in breathing rate and coughing, and damage to the lungs. Additional
symptoms of exposure to chlorine can be severe. Workers may be harmed from exposure to
chlorine. The level of exposure depends upon the dose, duration, and work being done.

Chlorine gas is primarily a respiratory irritant. At low concentrations, chlorine gas has an
odour similar to household bleach. As the concentrations increase from the level of detection
by smell, so do the symptoms in the exposed individual. Depending on the level of exposure
to chlorine, the effects may become more severe for several days after the incident.
Observations of exposed individuals should be considered part of the medical response
program.

4
Production
Chlorine can be manufactured by the electrolysis of a sodium chloride solution (brine), which
is known as the Chloralkali process. The production of chlorine results in the co-products
caustic soda (sodium hydroxide, NaOH) and hydrogen gas (H2). These two products, as well
as chlorine itself, are highly reactive. Chlorine can also be produced by the electrolysis of a
solution of potassium chloride, in which case the co-products are hydrogen and caustic potash
(potassium hydroxide). There are three industrial methods for the extraction of chlorine by
electrolysis of chloride solutions, all proceeding according to the following equations:

Cathode: 2 H+ (aq) + 2 e− → H2 (g)

Anode: 2 Cl− (aq) → Cl2 (g) + 2 e−

Overall process: 2 NaCl (or KCl) + 2 H2O → Cl2 + H2 + 2 NaOH (or KOH)

Most chlorine is manufactured electrolytically by the diaphragm, membrane, or mercury cell

Transportation
During transportation, liquid chlorine cylinders must not be mixed with other dangerous
chemicals. In summer time, when the weather is hot, they can only be transported before 10
am and after 4 pm. Also, in the storehouse liquid chlorine cylinders or storage tanks must not
be mixed with dangerous chemicals. It also needs to have hazard labels.

corrosive sign

5
Receiving
First check whether it’s the correct chemical. The chemical must have its own safety data
sheet (SDS). If SDS is not given, do not accept or take the chemical. If its identified as the
correct chemical, ensure a RFID label is affixed to their new chemical container. If there is an
RFID label present, scan and update the online inventory item with the appropriate inventory
sublocation. If no RFID label is present, affix one to the container and input the chemical into
the online chemical inventory with all appropriate information/location/sublocation. Ensure
the chemical is stored in a safe and compatible location. Remove any empty/waste chemical
containers from both the online inventory and the lab, following the hazardous waste disposal
process

Storage
Store locked up and in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool. Keep Substance Away From heat
sources. Keep substance away from reducing agents. (strong) acids. (strong) bases. metals.
organic materials. Store in a cool area. Keep out of direct sunlight. Store in a dry area. Store
in a dark area. Provide for a tub to collect spills. Unauthorized persons are not admitted. Keep
only in the original container.

Special Requirements: closing. clean. opaque. correctly labelled. meet the legal requirements.
Secure fragile packaging in solid containers.

Packaging materials: synthetic material. polyethylene. glass. stoneware/porcelain.

Material to avoid: Aluminium, Zinc

6
Handling
Ensure good ventilation of the work station. Comply with the legal requirements. Remove
contaminated clothing immediately. Clean contaminated clothing. Keep the substance free
from contamination. Thoroughly clean/dry the installation before use. Do not discharge the
waste into the drain. Keep away from naked flames/heat. Observe strict hygiene. Keep
container tightly closed. Measure the concentration in the air regularly. Carry operations in
the open/under local exhaust/ventilation or with respiratory protection. Avoid contact with
skin and eyes. Do not breathe fume, vapours. Wear personal protective equipment.

Disposal
Waste treatment methods: Dispose of contents/container in accordance with licensed
collector’s sorting instructions.

Waste disposal recommendations: Remove waste in accordance with local and/or national
regulations. Hazardous waste shall not be mixed together with other waste. Different types
of hazardous waste shall not be mixed together if this may entail a risk of pollution or create
problems for the further management of the waste. Hazardous waste shall be managed
responsibly. All entities that store, transport or handle hazardous waste shall take the
necessary measures to prevent risks of pollution or damage to people or animals. Remove for
physio-chemical/biological treatment. May be discharged to company wastewater treatment
plant.

7
Control measure
Engineering Controls: Use a local exhaust ventilation and enclosure, if necessary, to control
amount in the air. Consider using a corrosion-resistant exhaust ventilation system separate
from other ventilation systems. It may be necessary to use stringent control measures such
as process enclosure to prevent product release into the workplace. Use backup controls (e.g.
double mechanical pump seals) to prevent the release of this material due to equipment
failure. Provide eyewash and safety shower if contact or splash hazard exists.

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. Coveralls or
long sleeve shirts and pants in some operations. Wear a chemical protective, full-body
encapsulating suit and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

8
Reference
Liquid chlorine - . (n.d.). Retrieved June 7, 2022, from https://1ssh.com/useful-
information/SDS-6%20LIQUID%20CHLORINE-8080.pdf

Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018, June 26). Chlorine. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. Retrieved June 7, 2022, from
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/chlorine/default.html#:~:text=Exposure%20to%20low%2
0levels%20of,harmed%20from%20exposure%20to%20chlorine.

Chlorine. (n.d.). Retrieved June 7, 2022, from