Three Critical Safety Tips For Companies Involved With PCBs

If your company handles or is involved with PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) in any way, you need to be extremely careful. After all, these chemicals can have disastrous effects on human health. So that you don't negatively impact the environment and the people in it, you need to remember these PCB safety tips. 

Regularly Test Caulking Compounds 

A lot of PCBs today can actually be found in caulking compounds. If your work site utilizes these compounds for securing different materials together, then you'll want to test them for PCBs on a regular basis. If these tests confirm the presence of PCBs, you can either have them removed or sealed. 

If you take the removal route, you need to exercise extreme caution. Make sure you don't handle the caulking compounds directly with your hands. Instead, use some type of instrument that lets you keep a safe distance. The compound should then be placed in a sealed bag and properly labeled before being sent off to the appropriate disposal facility. 

Clean Up PCB-Contaminated Water 

If any water containing PCBs is spilled on your work site, you need to clean it up immediately before hazardous conditions develop and affect a lot of people. The best way to handle this contaminated water is to soak it up with some type of absorbent, such as a rag.

Once the water has had time to collect, proceed like you did with caulking compounds and place the absorbent material inside a labeled bag. It should then be inserted into a sealed steel drum. Make sure you mark off where the water spilled so that it can be properly disinfected. 

Wear the Appropriate Safety Gear 

If you plan on being near any areas where there are PCBs present, then it's extremely important to wear the appropriate safety gear. Overalls can provide full-body protection; you just need to make sure their makeup is impervious to chemicals.

Safety glasses also play an important role in staying protected against PCBs. Make sure they completely shield your eyes and have perforated holes. They help prevent your glasses from fogging up and causing vision problems. Teflon gloves and rubber boots also provide your body with PCB protection. 

Somewhere on your industrial site, there probably are PCBs. These man-made compounds can have harmful effects, so it's your duty to follow the right safety protocol when working around them. With the right measures in place, you can prevent these chemicals from doing any real damage. For more safety tips, contact a company like Haz-Pros, Inc.

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