WORKSAFE Victoria has issued a safety alert on the use of caustic chemicals used to clean industrial facilities.
The most common caustic industrial cleaning chemicals are liquids with sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.
According to the safety alert, caustic chemicals can cause severe chemical burns to the eyes and skin, depending on their concentration. Eye contact with caustic chemicals can result in permanent damage, including blindness.
The risk can be eliminated or reduced by replacing the chemicals with other milder alternatives, using a more diluted form of the chemical, applying the chemical in foam form instead of a fine spray, or cleaning more frequently with milder chemicals.
Cleaning workers can also use an automatic dispensing/diluting unit to minimise handling of the concentrated caustic chemical, fit a dispenser or pouring device to the container to minimise the risk of splashing, and use appropriate personal protective equipment.
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