An employee was using a utility cart to move an acid-based drain cleaner that was wrapped in a plastic bag. During transport, the bottle fell off the cart. The employee did not notice the bag had split and that the container was broken and leaking fluid.

When the employee picked up the bag, the cleaner leaked out and spilled onto the employee burning their clothes and causing minor burns to their stomach.

An incident investigation found the employee was not wearing PPE while transporting the product. It also revealed that the product was stored in multiple locations where it posed a risk of causing dangerous reactions if it leaked.

• Review the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) before you work with unfamiliar chemicals.
• Ensure chemicals are stored and transported in suitable containers.
• Wear the appropriate PPE when handling hazardous chemicals.
• Consider using safer, alternative products