Shipyard Hazard Communication

Case Study: The tanks of an anchored chemical tanker were being prepped for loading new cargo of 50% sodium hydroxide solution, otherwise known as caustic soda. Two crew members were tasked with removing the previous cargo residues with a mobile pump. The hose parted from the pressure side of the pump while the caustic soda was being pumped out, spattering one crew member with the solution.
A small quantity of the caustic solution also contacted his eyes. He was immediately taken to the cabin where he continually rinsed his eyes with water until rescue services arrived. He was transported to the hospital, where he received in-patient treatment for 10 days.

Key Takeaway: The crew members tasked with cleaning the chemical tank were wearing protective equipment including cotton overalls, rubberized jackets, safety boots, protective gloves, safety helmets, and open-sided eye goggles. However, the PPE used was not suitable for the task at hand.
Contact with only a 5% sodium hydroxide solution can cause extremely severe chemical burns. Therefore, the protective equipment used in this incident was inadequate for handling a 50% caustic solution.
Personal protective equipment is only deemed effective safety control if it helps minimize exposure to hazards that cannot be eliminated.
Protective clothing made of chemical-resistant material, in addition to tightly fitting eye goggles or face shields, should have been worn to protect the worker from the hazardous chemical in use.