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Cleaning agents

Caustic soda is a cleaning agent. It removes stubborn grease and is often called a degreaser. It is capable of burning, corroding and destroying living tissue.

A corrosive cleaning agent is also capable of burning the skin and destroying living tissue. It is can eat away metallic surfaces by means of chemical reaction.

Safety measures

Safety measures that should be taken when using these cleaning agents are as follows:
Ensure adequate ventilation.
Have knowledge of basic first aid.
Wear cotton clothing to cover your limbs and other parts of your body that might be exposed to the cleaning agent.
Wear suitable footwear—it should be closed in and have a steel toe.
Wear industrial strength, thick plastic or rubber gloves.
Wear protective eye and face wear.
Can you think of any more safety measures?

Storage and security of chemicals

Recommendations for the storage and security of chemicals and cleaning agents are:
Keep them in a separate area, away from food and other products.
Keep on lower shelves to prevent accidents and to keep chemicals from falling into food products.
Store in a cool, well lit and well ventilated room.
Do not store near heat.
Do not keep punctured aerosol cans.
Store chemicals with lids tightly on.
Make sure chemicals and other cleaning agents are clearly labelled, specifying their content and use.
Ensure that the use by date or manufactured date is clearly readable.
Storage containers should be free of corrosion and moisture.
The storage area should be kept secure and locked when not in use.
Always store chemicals in designated container.
Do not mix chemicals.
How many more can you think of?

Case Study

Your colleague has accidentally inhaled vapour from a tin of caustic oven cleaner. You should take her to a window or outside the building so she can breathe fresh air. You should then organise for her to be taken to hospital. Finally, you should remember to put the lid back on that tin as soon as you have attended to your colleague-and remember to wear gloves and not breathe in any vapour coming from the tin as you do this!

Another colleague has accidentally splashed liquid detergent in his eye. You should irrigate the eye with running water or an eye wash bottle for at least 15 minutes then cover the eye with a light gauze eye patch. Then take him to a hospital or doctor.

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