10/10/2026
This poster is a quick-reference guide for chemical safety. The core message is at the top and middle:
Handle chemicals safely • Protect yourself • Protect others • Protect the environment
Safe Handling Saves Lives
The center image shows what right looks like: worker in blue coveralls, yellow hard hat, chemical goggles, respirator with cartridges, and green chemical-resistant gloves, pouring from a properly labeled container into a beaker. The containers around him have GHS hazard pictograms - flame, exclamation mark, corrosion/environmental hazard.
It is split into 7 DO's and 7 DON'TS:
The DO'S - left side in green
1. READ AND UNDERSTAND THE SDS: SDS is the Safety Data Sheet. Every chemical must have one. It tells you hazards, how to handle it safely, what PPE you need, first aid, and what to do in an emergency. Read it before you touch the chemical.
2. WEAR THE RIGHT PPE: Gloves, goggles, face shield, respirator, coveralls, safety boots - as specified by the SDS. No shortcuts. PPE is your last barrier between you and the chemical.
3. USE PROPER LABELING AND STORAGE: Keep containers tightly closed, clearly labeled, and stored in the designated area. Separate incompatibles - for example flammables away from oxidizers, acids away from bases.
4. ENSURE GOOD VENTILATION: Work in open or well-ventilated areas, or use local exhaust ventilation. This prevents you from breathing in fumes, vapours and dust.
5. BE PREPARED FOR SPILLS: Know before a spill happens where the spill kit, emergency shower and eyewash station are. When a spill happens, act fast but follow the procedure, don't improvise.
6. FOLLOW SAFE HANDLING PROCEDURES: Use the right tools, transfer methods, and quantities. Never mix chemicals unless the procedure says you can.
7. DISPOSE OF CHEMICAL WASTE PROPERLY: Don't pour chemicals down the drain or into general trash. Follow your site waste management plan and legal requirements.
The DON'TS - right side in red
1. DON'T SKIP PPE: Handling chemicals without protection even "for a second" is how burns, eye damage and inhalation injuries happen.
2. DON'T EAT, DRINK OR SMOKE: Food, drinks and ci******es can be contaminated by chemicals on your hands or in the air, and you ingest or inhale them.
3. DON'T MIX INCOMPATIBLE CHEMICALS: Some combinations react violently - fire, explosion, or release of toxic gas. This is one of the most common causes of serious chemical incidents.
4. DON'T USE DAMAGED CONTAINERS: Leaking, rusted, or unlabelled containers mean you don't know what you're handling and you can't control the release.
5. DON'T INHALE FUMES, VAPOURS OR DUST: Avoid putting your face directly over containers. Use ventilation or respiratory protection.
6. DON'T CLEAN SPILLS YOURSELF UNTRAINED: Small incidental spills you are trained for are okay. Major spills need trained response team, proper PPE and containment methods.
7. DON'T IGNORE WARNING SIGNS: Hazard signs, barricades, and safety instructions are there because a risk assessment identified a danger in that area.
The bottom strip - ALWAYS REMEMBER
It condenses everything into 4 habits:
Know the hazards
Use the right PPE
Follow procedures
Be ready for emergencies
And the final line: "Handle Chemicals Safely Today for a Healthier Tomorrow" - SAFETY • HEALTH • ENVIRONMENT
If you're using this for a toolbox talk, the easiest way to teach it is: Do's = what keeps you alive, Don'ts = what kills, injures or pollutes. Walk the team through one Do and one Don't with a real example from your site - like where your SDS folder is, or where your spill kit is located. 🚨⛑️🏗️🦺🚦🚧🗼⚠️🌡️🚥
