Corrosive substances are destructive materials that pose great risks to people, property and the environment. As corrosive substances pose major risk in our workplaces, it's very important to become familiar with common corrosives used in the workplace and their hazardous chemical and physical properties. An awareness of their hazardous properties will allow you take proactive measures to ensure that they are used and stored in a safe and compliant manner.

What are corrosive substances?

Corrosives substances can be defined as “substances that will destroy and damage other materials and objects with which they make contact.” This includes, but is not limited to materials such as; metals, organic compounds and living tissues such as human flesh. No doubt we would all know what rusty iron and a corroded batteries looks like - they are simple examples of corrosion.

Most corrosives are either acids or bases. Common acids include hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, chromic acid, acetic acid and hydrofluoric acid. Common bases are ammonium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) and sodium hydroxide (caustic soda). Other chemicals can be corrosive too.