Recommended tests for employees exposed to corrosives include pulmonary function tests, particularly forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume for one second (FEV1) and their ratio (FEV1/FVC) on a scheduled basis.

Employees should be advised of the health hazards posed by the particular corrosives with which they work. They should be instructed in the proper procedures for handling, transporting and storing corrosives.

Training in the use of personal protective equipment and the operation of engineering controls should also be required.

Corrosive substances that present potential problems should be studied in detail to determine the nature and seriousness of the problems they present. A large part of this evaluation should consist of air sampling conducted by an industrial hygienist or a person trained in air sampling techniques. The possibility of exposing employees to corrosives should be evaluated to determine the needs for controls and personal protective equipment.

Engineering and administrative controls can be used to reduce employee exposure to corrosive mists or dusts in the air and to lessen the hazard of direct contact of corrosives with the skin and eyes.

Engineering controls include:

• local exhaust ventilation (hoods or process enclosures)
• dilution ventilation
• a combination of the above

Administrative controls include:

• eliminating the use of a particular corrosive
• replacing one corrosive with a less toxic one
• instituting procedures to reduce accidents associated with the handling,
  transporting and storing of corrosives
• limiting employees’ exposure time to vapors, mists and dust

Personal protective equipment
When engineering and administrative controls have failed to prevent or limit employees’ exposures, personal protective equipment should be used. Depending on the use of corrosives, the following types of equipment may be required:

• gloves and aprons for handling corrosives
• eye and face protection against splashes
• respirators for emergency or short-term use
• where high concentrations of corrosives are
• present in the air
• protective shoe coverings

Emergency Wash Facilities
Additionally, emergency wash, routine washing facilities and overhead showers should be present in each department or work area where corrosives are used. The facilities should be in good working condition and simple to operate. They should provide for a minimum of 15 minutes of copious water flow.

Personal Protective Equipment and Facilities Checklist
(Each item should be answered “yes”)
Are protective measures in place that:

• Prevent skin, eye and mucous membrane contact?
• Provide personal protective equipment for body, feet, head, hand/arm and eye/face?
• Provide properly maintained eyewash/safety showers for emergency use?
• Ensure that workers are adequately informed and trained as to precautions and controls?
• Determine what risks from corrosives might be generated from normal and
  abnormal circumstances before a new process are introduced?
• Provide and require the use of personal hygiene facilities at
  the conclusion of the work shift, prior to breaks and meals?
• Maintain corrosives in closed systems where possible?
•  Ensure the avoidance of contact between corrosives and other incompatible substances?
• Provide for labeling on all containers as to their content?
• Provide ventilation, especially if corrosive gases or dusts are present?
• Provide fire preventive and protective measures if contact with corrosives causes a fire risk?
• Ensure that acids are stored in fire-resistant buildings with acid-resistant floors?
• Provide storage areas with secondary containment and proper drainage?
• Provide acid-resistant electrical installations in storage areas?
• Protect glass and plastic containers against impact?
• Ensure that all containers are stored off the floor, to facilitate flushing?
• Require dispensing from larger containers with carboy tilters and/or pumps?