Glossary · Hazards and harm
Chemical hazard
In machine safety, a chemical hazard is a hazard arising from exposure to hazardous substances, fumes, vapors, dusts or process media, for example by inhalation, skin contact or ingestion.
- Machine safety
- Risk assessment
- Technical documentation
In one sentence
A chemical hazard arises from substances a machine uses, emits or processes, such as coolants, cleaning agents, fumes and dusts.
Example
A laser cutting machine produces fumes from coated sheet metal; the manufacturer specifies an extraction unit and states in the operating manual which materials may be processed.
How it applies
- Machine safety: Consider the substances the machine uses (coolants, lubricants, cleaning agents), emits (fumes, dusts, mists) and processes. Enclosure and local extraction are design measures; personal protective equipment comes last.
- Technical documentation: State which substances and process media are permitted, which emissions to expect and which extraction is required. Refer to the suppliers' safety data sheets rather than copying them, and keep the reference current.
- Maintenance: Filter changes, draining and cleaning often cause the highest exposure. Describe these tasks with their protective measures.
- Evidence: Link each substance to its hazard, measure and instruction, so that a change of coolant or workpiece material triggers a review.
Chemical hazard vs. explosion hazard
Dusts and vapors can harm health and, above certain concentrations, also form explosive atmospheres. Assess both: an extraction system that removes a harmful vapor can itself contain an explosion hazard.