Chemicals are an important part of the modern world. They make our water safe to drink, provide fuel for our cars,increase the production from our farms, and are often key parts of products we use every day. Many of the properties of chemicals that make them valuable to us, however, such as their ability to kill dangerous organisms in water and pests on crops, pose a hazard to us and the environment if the chemicals are used or disposed of improperly.

Facilities that use hazardous chemicals are responsible for operating safely, using the most appropriate techniques and technologies; gathering information on the chemicals they use, store, and release into the environment and providing it to government agencies and local communities; and helping set up procedures to handle chemical emergencies. Some industry groups and individual companies have gone beyond the letter of the law and have reached out to their communities by explaining the hazards involved in using chemicals, by opening ommunication channels with community groups, and by considering changes in their practices to reduce any potential risks to human health or the environment.

In order to ensure chemical safety in the workplace, information must be available about the identities and hazards of the chemicals. OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires the development and dissemination of such information: 

• Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import, and 
• Prepare labels and material safety data sheets (MSDSs) to convey the hazard information to their downstream customers.
• All employers with hazardous chemicals in their workplaces must have labels and MSDSs for their exposed workers, and train them to handle the chemicals appropriately.

Unfortunately, hazardous chemicals are not always handled in a manner which is not compliant with the law and other safety regulations.  Sometimes, careless handling results in terrible and tragic chemical accidents. If you have been injured in a chemical accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. It is in your best interest to contact an attorney familiar with both chemical accidents and construction site accidents who will make sure to get you the compensation you deserve.