Safety Issues in the Workplace: Why Chemical Safety Deserves Special Attention
Chemical handling is one of the most common sources of safety issues in the workplace—and one of the most preventable. From cleaning products and solvents to process chemicals and compressed gases, hazards can show up in any industry, including manufacturing, healthcare, food processing, construction, and education. When controls fail, the results can include burns, respiratory injury, fires, toxic exposures, and long-term illness.
OSHA’s requirements are clear: employers must anticipate chemical hazards, communicate them effectively, and protect employees through training, labeling, and exposure controls. This article focuses on the most frequent safety problems in the workplace related to chemical use and practical safety and prevention strategies you can implement right away.
Common Chemical Safety Problems in the Workplace
Many chemical incidents aren’t “freak accidents.” They are repeatable patterns—missing information, inconsistent procedures, or poor visibility into what chemicals are on-site.
Missing or Inaccessible Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
One of the most overlooked safety issues in the workplace is simply not being able to find the right SDS when it’s needed. OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), 29 CFR 1910.1200, requires that SDSs be readily accessible to employees during their work shift.
Typical failure points include:
- SDS binders stored in locked offices or remote locations
- Outdated SDSs that don’t match the current product formulation
- Multiple versions of the same SDS circulating across departments
- Contractors or temporary workers unable to locate SDS information quickly
A centralized system like SwiftSDS helps by keeping a secure, cloud-based SDS library that workers can access from any device—supporting fast decisions during spills, exposures, or routine handling.
Poor Labeling and Secondary Container Confusion
Improper labeling is a major driver of safety problems in the workplace. Under OSHA HCS (29 CFR 1910.1200), shipped containers must have compliant labels, and workplace labeling must ensure employees understand what’s inside and the associated hazards.
Common problems:
- Secondary containers (spray bottles, dispensers) left unlabeled
- Faded or damaged labels
- “Mystery liquids” stored in reused containers
- Labels that don’t align with GHS pictograms/signal words
GHS-aligned labeling helps reduce confusion, especially in multilingual environments or when employees rotate tasks.
Inadequate Chemical Training and Hazard Communication
Training gaps turn routine tasks into safety issues in the workplace. OSHA HCS requires effective employee training at the time of initial assignment and whenever a new hazard is introduced.
Training should cover:
- How to read SDS sections (especially Sections 2, 4, 7, 8, 10, and 11)
- Label elements (pictograms, signal words, hazard and precautionary statements)
- Required PPE and safe handling/storage practices
- Emergency procedures for spills and exposures
Important: Training must be understandable to employees—consider language, literacy, and job role. “Check-the-box” training is a common compliance and safety failure.
Poor Chemical Storage and Incompatibility Risks
Improper storage is one of the most serious safety issues in the workplace, because incompatibles can create toxic gases, fires, or explosions.
Storage failures often include:
- Acids stored with bases
- Oxidizers stored near flammables
- Inadequate ventilation for volatile chemicals
- No segregation for water-reactive materials
- Overstocking and blocked access to cabinets/egress
A strong prevention approach combines SDS review, segregation charts, and periodic audits of storage areas.
Weak Controls for Exposure (Inhalation, Skin, Eyes)
Even when labeling and SDS access are good, exposures can happen if engineering controls and PPE don’t match the hazard. OSHA’s exposure-related requirements may involve the General Duty Clause, specific substance standards, and PPE/respiratory protection rules such as:
- 29 CFR 1910 Subpart I (Personal Protective Equipment)
- 29 CFR 1910.134 (Respiratory Protection)
Common exposure scenarios:
- Poor local exhaust ventilation at mixing stations
- Incorrect glove material (chemical permeation issues)
- No eyewash/shower within required access time when corrosives are used
- Overreliance on PPE instead of fixing the process
Safety and Prevention: Practical Steps to Reduce Chemical Risk
Chemical safety improves fastest when prevention is systematic—based on inventory control, clear procedures, and easy access to accurate information.
Build a Complete Chemical Inventory
You can’t manage what you can’t see. A current inventory supports risk assessment, storage planning, PPE selection, and compliance.
Include:
- Product name and manufacturer
- Location(s) and quantities
- Container size and concentration
- Date received/opened and expiration date (where applicable)
SwiftSDS supports chemical inventory management by helping organizations track chemical locations, quantities, and expiration dates—reducing the risk of forgotten or degraded products lingering on shelves.
Standardize SDS Access and Document Control
To prevent SDS-related safety problems in the workplace, establish a single “source of truth.”
Best practices:
- Maintain one centralized SDS library
- Assign responsibility for SDS updates when products change
- Confirm every chemical in the inventory has a matching SDS
- Ensure employees can access SDSs without asking permission
Mobile access matters. In a spill response or exposure event, seconds count. SwiftSDS provides mobile-friendly access so workers can retrieve SDS guidance immediately.
Strengthen Labeling and Workplace Signage
A prevention-first labeling program includes:
- Clear secondary container labeling rules
- Routine checks to replace damaged labels
- Storage area signage (flammable, corrosive, oxidizer, compressed gas)
- Alignment with GHS elements used under OSHA HCS
Labeling consistency reduces errors during handoffs between shifts and departments.
Use the Hierarchy of Controls for Chemical Tasks
PPE is essential, but it’s not the only control. Apply the hierarchy of controls:
- Elimination/Substitution (use a less hazardous chemical)
- Engineering controls (ventilation, closed transfer systems)
- Administrative controls (SOPs, restricted access, training)
- PPE (gloves, goggles/face shields, aprons, respirators)
This framework anchors safety and prevention decisions and makes improvements easier to justify.
Prepare for Spills, Exposures, and Emergencies
Every site using hazardous chemicals should have clear response procedures tied to SDS guidance.
Emergency readiness should include:
- Spill kits appropriate to the chemicals used
- Eyewash/shower access where required
- Exposure response steps (first aid, medical evaluation triggers)
- Incident reporting and corrective action workflow
Important: The SDS is your starting point for first aid measures, firefighting measures, accidental release measures, and PPE recommendations. If employees can’t access SDSs quickly, response quality drops.
OSHA Compliance: What “Good” Looks Like in Day-to-Day Operations
OSHA compliance is not just paperwork—it’s operational discipline. For chemical safety, a strong program typically includes:
- A compliant HazCom program under 29 CFR 1910.1200
- Up-to-date SDSs that match current chemicals and formulations
- Workplace labeling that employees understand
- Role-specific training and documented refresher practices
- Chemical inventory accuracy and storage compatibility controls
When these elements are built into daily workflows, you reduce both compliance risk and real-world injuries.
How SwiftSDS Helps Address Workplace Chemical Safety Challenges
Many organizations struggle because SDSs, inventories, and training materials live in different places—or rely on paper binders that quickly become outdated. SwiftSDS helps reduce chemical-related safety issues in the workplace by providing:
- A centralized SDS library in a secure cloud location
- Support for OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) expectations around accessibility
- GHS support for consistent hazard communication
- Chemical inventory management to track locations, quantities, and expiration dates
- Mobile access so workers can retrieve SDS information instantly on the job
The result is faster hazard recognition, fewer labeling and storage errors, and stronger safety and prevention performance.
Next Steps: Improve Chemical Safety This Week
If you’re seeing recurring safety problems in the workplace—missing SDSs, unclear labels, inconsistent training, or storage issues—start with visibility and access. Clean up the chemical list, verify SDS coverage, and make hazard information easy to find.
Ready to simplify OSHA-aligned SDS management and improve chemical safety? Explore how SwiftSDS can centralize your SDS library, support GHS labeling, and improve mobile access for your teams. Get started with a demo and strengthen your workplace prevention program today.