When they get into contact with chemically oxidizable organic or inorganic substances, oxidizers may lead to explosions, fiver or formation of hazardous substances. For instance, after mixing nitric acid with organic compounds, often, the reaction results in explosions and detonations due to simultaneous nitration and oxidation reactions. Also, nitric acid is a strong monoprotic acid that readily creates solid hydrates like trihydrate and monohydrate ( Bruckner, 2011) . Further, nitric acid reacts violently with metals and non-metals and dissolving them into metal oxides. Oxidizing agents are widely used in industrial processes. For instance, concentrated nitric acid is utilized in manufacturing sulfuric acid, nitrogenous fertilizers, and in extracting metals from their ores. Also, oxidizing agents are used in baking to improve the flour quality thus facilitating the production of bigger and better loaves of bread ( Meyer, 2014) . Other applications are rubber vulcanization, textile wet processing, and purifying silver, platinum, and gold, producing the color for signal flares, trinitrotoluene (T.N.T), gun cotton, and additives in preserving meat color. Oxidizers are classified as solids, liquids or gasses. All three classifications have their toxicity level. Overall, oxidizers pose a severe fire hazard because they can increase combustion, amplify the flammable range, and reduce the ignition temperature as well as flashpoints of flammable materials. According to Meyer (2014) , oxidizers can contribute to the combustion of other compounds by providing oxygen for supporting combustion. Besides, oxidizing substances might be corrosive or toxic. Subject to the exposure route (swallowing, skin or eye contact, inhalation), and dose, they might injure the body. Also, corrosive oxidizers may are destructive to metals once they attack them.
Currently, OSHA has established occupational exposure limits (OELs) for common oxidizers. Fluorine is a common fundamental oxidizer, and OSHA has set its OEL as 0.1 ppm. Hydrogen peroxide is another oxidizer that is widely used in both industrial and residential areas because of its multiple uses. Its OEL is 1 ppm. Another common oxidizer is ammonium nitrate, and its OEL is 50 ppm.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
The PSM of extremely hazardous compounds (PSM, 29 CFR 1910.119) describes the occupational safety and health standards for facilities that engage in manufacturing, storing, and transporting hazardous substances. Most of the PSM requirements are useful in the prevention or reduction of the consequences of major oxidizer-associated incidents. 29 CFR 1910.119 (e) (1-7), for example, outlines the requirements for conducting a process hazard analysis ( Donnelly, 1994) . Accordingly, 29 CFR 1910.119 (e) calls for employers to perform initial hazard assessment, which ought to detect, assess and deal with hazards of the process and it must as well put into consideration the process risks' extent, the number of likely affected workers, the process’ age, as well as the history of operation.
Comprehending what could potentially go wrong in a manufacturing facility is the best method of preventing or mitigating any impacts of a major incident related to oxidizers. Another way of mitigating incidents such as these is outlined in the PSM is 29 CFR 1910.119 (g) (1-3), which describes the training requirements for workers in manufacturing facilities ( OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.119, 1994) . Therefore, 29 CFR 1910.119 (g) (1-3) points out that employees must get an initial training which is an outline of the process with focus on particular safety and health hazards, and emergency operating such as shutdowns and safe work practices relevant to the worker's duties, along with a refresher training at least every three years or as the employer deems appropriate ( OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.119, 1994) . The ability of the employees to understand risk and have proper training can help in preventing oxidizer incidents. Another PSM requirement which could help in preventing or reducing the impacts of oxidizer incidents is 29 CFR 1910.119 (m) (1-7), which requires employers to investigate all incidents that led to or could have reasonably led to catastrophic release of compounds which are highly hazardous in the workplace. The OSHA standard is highly applicable to my facility since it engages in storing, handling and moving nitric acid that is a highly hazardous compound. Besides, workers at my facility are much uninformed on how they should handle chemicals and this poses serious risks to them and the facility due to the mishandling of the nitric acid. The use of the OSHA standard discussed above in the facility would considerably help in ensuring proper training of the employees and being aware of how to handle the chemical compound. The OSHA standard will as well help in effectively developing and implementing standard operating procedures which would ensure workers safely hand nitric acid.
References
Bruckner, R. (2011). Advanced organic chemistry: reaction mechanisms . Elsevier.
Meyer, E. (2014). Chemistry of hazardous materials . Pearson Higher Ed.
Donnelly, R. E. (1994). An overview of OSHA's process safety management standard (USA). Process Safety Progress , 13 (2), 53-58.
OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.119 (1994). Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals; Compliance Guidelines and Enforcement Procedures.
