Hazard Communication OSHA

Detection methods:

Methods to detect the presence or release of a chemical (including monitoring equipment, visual appearance, or odor).

"Right-to-Know"

Requirements of the "Right-to-Know" Law (OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard).

As part of a hazard communication program, what is your employer required to have?

SDS's, labels on each container, training, and list of all chemicals

Your employer is required to comply with the "Right to Know" law, which includes implementing and maintaining a hazard communication program:

Safety Data Sheets for any chemicals in the workplace should always be available AND easily accessible so you can know what your potential risks are at any time. The chemical label on this container is a standard label used to communicate hazards and warnings for this specific cleaning chemical.

What information does an SDS contain?

properties of a chemical, the physical and environmental health hazards, protective measures, safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting the chemical.

The HCS requires SDSs to be in a ______ format and include the section numbers, the headings, and associated information under the headings. OSHA will not be enforcing Section 12, 14, or Section 15, since other agencies regulate this information.

uniform

The Health Hazard pictogram represents the following hazards:

Carcinogen Mutagenicity Reproductive Toxicity Respiratory Sensitizer Target Organ Toxicity Aspiration Toxicity

Hazcom:

Details and location of the written hazard communication (HAZCOM) plan.

Chemicals can create a physical hazard in the workplace such as causing a fire or explosion.

true

OSHA requires each SDS to be:

Completely legible. Updated when new information is available. Printed in English (other languages may be provided, but English must be provided).

The Exploding Bomb pictogram represents the following hazards:

Explosives Self-Reactives Organic Peroxides

The Flame pictogram represents the following hazards:

Flammables Pyrophorics Self-Heating Emits Flammable Gas Self-Reactives Organic Peroxides

Personal protection:

Specific procedures for personal protection.

What is acute exposure?

a short term of brief exposure that may create an immediate health hazard. For example, if you come in contact with a surface that has a chemical irritant, you could break out in a rash.

Howard is working with a cleaning solution that contains sodium hydroxide. Although he is using gloves, when he pours the solution to dilute it for cleaning use, he spills a bit on his arm. His arm feels slimy to the touch and now has a burn mark. What is the chemical route of entry?

absorption

Chemical exposure may cause or contribute to:

disorders ranging from skin rashes to more serious conditions like cancer or heart problems. It is also important to know that some chemicals have the potential to cause fires, explosions, and other serious incidents.

It's your _______ responsibility to develop, implement, and maintain a written hazard communication program. (keeping a list of all chemicals in the workplace, making sure each chemical has a SDS that is easily accessible, each container has a label that is not defaced, and that you are trained on the chemicals with which you will be working)

employer's

The HCS requires _____ of these pictograms, with the exception being the environmental pictogram, as environmental hazards are not within OSHA's jurisdiction.

8

There are ______ pictograms or images which convey health, physical, and environmental hazards.

9

As you have learned, you have the right to be safe in your workplace. The "Right-to-Know" law requires your employer to have a written HAZCOM program. This program must, at a minimum, include:

A list of all hazardous chemicals known to be in the workplace. A Safety Data Sheet for each hazardous chemical. A warning label on each container of a hazardous chemical. A training plan to communicate hazard information to you and other employees.

Who is required to provide information through the "Right-to-Know" Law?

manufacturers, importers, and distributors of chemicals, as well as for employers.

Safety Instructions:

Instructions for working safely in areas where hazardous chemicals are present.

Which route of entry could a chemical use to enter through the body's airways?

inhalation

In addition to SDS and warning labels for all chemicals in the workplace, employee training is also required as part of a HAZCOM program. HAZCOM training is an on-going process. When hazardous chemicals are present, you must be trained:

Before you start an assignment for the first time. Whenever a new physical or health hazard is introduced into your work area.

When hazardous chemicals are present, you must be trained:

Before you start an assignment for the first time. Whenever a new physical or health hazard is introduced into your work area.

List of Chemicals:

A list of hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

The Environment Hazard represents aquatic toxicity.

Displaying this pictogram is not mandatory.

Why must you be cautious of chemical exposure in the workplace?

chemicals higher in concentration, chemicals can cause serious incidents in the workplace, exposure time is longer.

Your employer gives you a list of all chemicals in the entire building and the location of the SDS collection, and he asks you to sign off that you completed the safety training program. What else is required of an employer training program?

training for chemical handling in your area, physical and health hazard information for chemicals in your work area.

All employers receive labeled containers and safety data sheets with shipped chemicals.

All employers must prepare a written hazard communication program, including a list of the hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

To start safe, first, think about how you will do your job safely before you begin to work. When working around hazardous chemicals, you should:

Be aware of your work environment and know if hazardous chemicals are present. Always keep in mind the hazards associated with chemicals in your work area. Before you enter your work area, think about what precautions you need to take to protect yourself and others.

What is the "Right to Know" law's real name?

Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) developed and regulated by OSHA. This regulation has requirements for manufacturers, importers, and distributors of chemicals, as well as for employers.

The Exclamation Mark pictogram (acute toxicity) represents the following hazards:

Irritant (skin and eye) Skin Sensitizer Acute Toxicity (harmful) Narcotic Effects Respiratory Tract Irritant Hazardous to Ozone Layer (Non-Mandatory)

Your employer lets you know that the Safety Data Sheets are located on an computer in his office. Does this comply with employer responsibilities?

No, it is not easy to access them while I'm working.

To stay safe when working around hazardous chemicals:

Review your employer's list of all the hazardous chemicals in your workplace. Become familiar with the SDS and warning labels for each hazardous chemical you may encounter. Follow the precautions found on each SDS and warning label. Wear the required personal protective equipment. Receive the proper training before working in an area with hazardous chemicals.

The Corrosion pictogram represents the following hazards:

Skin Corrosion/Burns Eye Damage Corrosive to Metals

Someone just cleaned the bathroom at work. You walk into the bathroom stall and notice a strong chemical smell. You notify your supervisor and immediately take a look at the SDS. Which section will you review to determine the routes of exposure and symptoms of exposure?

You'll find it in the toxicological information section of the SDS.

What is chronic exposure?

a repeated or prolonged exposure (over months or years) that may bring about slowly developing symptoms. These exposures do not cause immediate, obvious harm, and a person may not see, feel or smell the danger. Effects, however, may be permanent. An example is developing cancer from a long-term exposure to asbestos or lead.

You have been working at a manufacturing site but have been transitioned to a different part of the site with new responsibilities. When should your employer train you on any chemical hazards in this new responsibility?

before starting working within the new responsibilities

What type of hazards do the standard pictograms represent?

chemical, physical, environmental, health

A(n) __________ exposure is a repeated or prolonged exposure (over months or years) that may bring about slowly developing symptoms. These exposures do not cause immediate, obvious harm and a person may not see, feel, or smell the danger. Effects, however, may be permanent.

chronic

An easy way to remember the differences is that an SDS is a document that each chemical manufacturer, distributor, or importer must provide for each hazardous chemical. What does an SDS contain?

detailed information such as the properties of each chemical; the physical, health, and environmental health hazards; protective measures; and safety precautions or handling, storing, and transporting the chemical. SDSs are typically documents that are stored in the workspace but are likely not attached to the container containing the chemical.

What is the "Right to Know" law?

gives you the legal right to know about all the hazardous chemicals you may be exposed to at work, the specific hazards associated with those chemicals, and what to do to protect yourself.

What are the requirements for chemical labels?

includes critical information you need to identify the chemical, includes warnings about the chemical, legible, clearly marked.

Employers must ensure that all containers of hazardous chemicals are:

labeled, safety data sheets are maintained for all hazardous chemicals, and that workers are trained on program elements, hazards, protective measures, etc.

What is a physical hazard?

occurs when the physical properties of a chemical create hazards such as fires, explosions, or dangerous chemical reactions. Exposure to chemicals that are health hazards or physical hazards can lead to serious consequences, such as illnesses, injuries, and even death.

What are routes of entry:

different ways a chemical may enter your body. Inhalation (breathing)—Chemicals can be inhaled, entering your body through your airways. Ingestion (by mouth)—Chemicals can enter your mouth directly or be transferred through actions, such as hand to mouth contact. Absorption—Chemicals can be absorbed into your body through your skin or eyes. Injection (puncture wound)—Chemicals can enter your body through penetration by needles and other sharp objects contaminated with hazardous materials.

Your supervisor asks you to run inventory on the chemical storage cabinet and make sure the SDS are up to date. You notice one of the chemicals does not have an expiration date. What section of the SDS do you review to find the manufacturer contact information?

Identification

BCD Chemical Distributors has prepared a barrel of hazardous chemicals to be shipped to your employer. Select from the options to determine which items must be in place before it can be shipped.

Before a chemical can be shipped, it must have an appropriate warning label attached to the container and the applicable SDS must be provided prior to or at the time of shipment.

While you're at work, you're helping your supervisor transition the manufacturing site for the third shift of workers. You find a secondary container with a label and you need to put it back in the right storage area. What section of the SDS would you look at to determine which storage location and conditions are best?

Handling and storage

What does the "Right-to-Know" Law require from manufacturers, importers, and distributors of chemicals?

labels and safety data sheets

At work, you have the _____ right to know about the hazardous chemicals in your work area and what to do to protect yourself from those hazards.

legal

SDSs:

Location, availability, and explanation of SDSs.

Remember that a label is attached to the container itself and must always be present on all chemical containers in the workplace. Each label must contain the following information:

Name, Address, and Telephone Number Product Identifier Signal Words Hazard Statements Precautionary Statements Pictograms

Hazard information:

Physical and health hazard information for the chemicals in your work area.

The HCS requires that each container holding a hazardous chemical have a warning label.

The warning label must be easily seen and must provide the identity of the chemical, along with the appropriate warnings for employee protection.

A(n) ________ exposure is a short term or brief exposure that may create an immediate health hazard.

acute

What is an SDS?

designed to identify the hazards of a chemical and explain how you can protect yourself from those hazards. Your employer must have an SDS for every hazardous chemical in the workplace. The SDS for chemicals in your work area must be fully accessible and available to you the entire time you are at work.