An example of an unlabelled bottle discovered on a walkthrough.
In almost every place I have worked, ensuring chemical bottles have proper labels is always a problem. It is just too easy for labels to get wet or damaged. Or, in a rush, an employee mixes up a bottle of something and forgets to put a label on it. On walkthroughs once with the JHSC we were always coming across bottles of blue stuff, white stuff, and one time we actually found a bottle of something I can only describe as neon purple, which I still to this day an not sure what it was.
Proper labelling is important.
First, it is the law.
Second, it ensure employees know what chemicals they are working with so they can take the proper precautions and know and what personal protective equipment they need to wear.
Third, it prevents hazard chemical reactions. Without a label, an employee could easily mix up a new batch of chemicals in a container that was previously used for a different chemical that is reactive to the new one. A label shows this is not a new or sterile container ready for use.
Here are a few tips for ensuring your chemical bottles and containers are properly labelled.
1. Educate your employees. Let them know why all bottles and containers need to be labelled.
2. Make it easy. Have preprinted labels of the chemicals you use most. Store them near filling stations or in the Health and Safety office for easy access.
An example of labels at a filling station. On the left is the bucket of chemicals on the right are empty bottles and bottle stickers ready for use.
An example of preprinted stickers for squirt bottles
3. Purchase your chemicals premixed in labelled bottles. This is definitely more costly than mixing yourself, but it does ensure the bottles are labelled.
4. Designate a bottle checker. This person is responsible for alerting health and safety personnel about unlabelled containers for a set period of time ( a month or two). They can receive a little something for their hard work. (Yes, it is everyone’s responsibility to report unlabelled containers, but it helps to have someone “own” it. In my experience, some employees really take pride in the added responsibility and continue doing so even when it is no longer their turn).
Overall, this may seem like something small but it can lead to a whole list of problems. Plus, I think that if you take such care in smaller details it really shows that you as an employer/company/manager are serious about safety. If you have any of your own tips or tricks, please comment below.
