Acid Additions Follow the Written Recipe

Understand the hazard

Focus: Corrosive additions.

Adding a concentrate to a process bath can release heat, cause splashing, or produce fumes. An addition that worked yesterday is not automatically correct for a different chemical strength or bath condition. The person making the addition needs a written instruction that specifies the chemical, quantity, sequence, and operating conditions.

Use the controls

Check the container identity and concentration against the authorized instruction. Confirm the receiving tank, available capacity, required mixing, ventilation, and splash protection. Use the approved dispensing equipment and addition rate. For acid dilution, follow the specific approved procedure, which generally adds acid to water; never reverse a sequence or improvise a dilution recipe.

Stop, report, and verify

Pause if the solution becomes unexpectedly hot, fumes increase, or a measurement does not match the instruction. Follow the safe shutdown and notification steps instead of adding another chemical to correct the problem. Keep people clear of the tank edge. Only the designated technical lead may approve changes to the recipe or restart conditions.

Discuss with the team

The drum concentration differs from the concentration printed on the addition sheet.

Question: Can the operator adjust the amount from memory?
Answer guidance: No. The authorized technical lead must resolve the concentration difference and approve the instruction.

Question: Who approves a changed addition recipe?
Answer guidance: The designated technical lead, before the altered recipe is used.

Prepare, practice, and follow up

Leader preparation: Bring the current instruction for corrosive additions, the relevant site checklist, and clean demonstration materials. Confirm the assigned lead and local stop-work response before presenting.

Activity: Compare a mock chemical label with an addition sheet and identify every item that must match.

Follow-up: Observe the next applicable task and verify this practice: compare a mock chemical label with an addition sheet and identify every item that must match. Record any gap, responsible person, and completion check before repeating the task.

Official reference: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200 - Hazard Communication
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1200

Awareness briefing: apply site-specific procedures and current applicable requirements. This talk does not replace required training, qualification, exposure assessment, or a written safety program.

Suggested session: 4-6 minutes, including discussion and activity. Prepared October 18, 2026; verify current requirements before use.

Show the crew

Compare a mock chemical label with an addition sheet and identify every item that must match.