Chemical Management for the Construction Industry

Construction workers are exposed daily to various chemical hazards on the construction site. The daily change of activity, simultaneous operations and movement of workers on a jobsite require chemical management systems to minimize risk. Contractors and those working in construction settings and worksites must be informed about the hazardous chemicals they may be exposed to. Close the gap on health and workplace safety with contractors/subcontractors by using tools to share information on the hazards of chemicals on the worksite. Using technologies like sdsBinders and its mobile app keeps everyone on top of managing SDSs and hazardous chemicals, so information is accessible and current.

SDS Management Software for Construction

If you need a better solution to managing SDSs, Chemscape’s sdsBinders is an easy way to stay compliant and have up-to-date and accessible SDS information to ensure workers are prepared and protected. We offer an online and mobile solution to keep your SDSs organized and compliant. sdsBinders includes additional features to promote the awareness of occupational health hazards, such as:

• Maintain a list of chemicals and Safety Data Sheets and let sdsBinders keep them up to date so you can focus on other tasks. 
• The sdsBinders mobile app allows people to have SDS access on individual mobile devices so vital information is with the worker wherever they go on the jobsite.  
• A library of toolbox talks on relevant topics like Asbestos, Silica, Wildfire Smoke, Not Taking Contaminants Home from Work or Diesel Exhaust.  
• Tools like the icon rich SmartChart® to communicate the hazards and controls of chemicals people work with every day. It’s a hazard summary of the SDS.

Prevention of Occupational Hazards with On-Site Chemical Safety

Some occupational related diseases can be a result of an employer or employee not knowing the dangers of a hazardous substance with which they are working.

Identify Chemical Hazards in Construction Work Settings

Being able to identify your occupational health and safety hazards is the first step to being proactive in prevention in the field of construction.

Communicate Hazard Controls when Working with Chemicals

Many hazardous products when improperly handled may cause acute or chronic health effects in workers. Communicating controls reduces risk when using hazardous products.

If you are ready to move beyond SDS Management, Chemscape has a Chemical Hazard Assessment Management Program (CHAMP) that provides chemical health hazard assessment data to make help you make decisions on chemical use and receive recommendations on how to control the hazards. CHAMP does an analysis on all the ingredients in your chemical inventory. Identifying the hazards of the chemicals you work with is the first step to designing a hazard control strategy.

Controlling Chemicals and Dangerous Substances in the Construction Industry

The construction industry has concerns about controlling designated hazardous substances such as:

• Asbestos 
• Silica 
• Diesel exhaust 
• Lead

Exposure Control Plans

Exposure Control Plans are one of the many tools in CHAMP with focus tabs for designated substances to provide you a complete chemical management program that will meet and exceed all regulatory requirements.

Substitution of Hazardous Chemicals

Construction workers also have chemical exposure concerns when workers are stripping paint, or other coatings, applying foam, painting with epoxy paint, cleaning equipment with solvents, and spraying adhesives. Many of these shop supplies are prime candidates for elimination or substitution – the most effective method of reducing chemical hazards. CHAMP has a hazardous chemical substitution tool that allows you to see alternative products for a similar job task. Once identified you can choose to eliminate certain shop supplies that are quite toxic or substitute chemical products with ones that are not as hazardous.

Keep Your Workers Safe with SDS & Chemical Management Systems for the Construction Sector

Chemscape provides innovative and ever-evolving SDS management and chemical management solutions that are unique to the needs of construction workers, contractors and all those working in the construction sector. For more information, contact the Chemscape team today.