HAZARD COMMUNICATION (HAZCOM)

Class Objectives 4 To learn: –the purpose of the HAZCOM Standard –the 4 major program components –the 12 required pieces of information on an MSDS

HAZCOM Standard’s Purpose Reduce occupational illness and injury resulting from chemical exposure(s) by: –informing employees of the identities and the hazards of the chemicals they work with –training employees on the measures for preventing chemical exposure(s)

References 4 29 CFR , Hazard Communication 4 JCAHO CAMH/CAMAC Standards, EC 1.5, 2.1 and 2.6, Hazardous Materials and Wastes 4 DOD Hazard Communication Program, Change 1 dated May 6, 1996

History and Scope 4 Original final rule (1983) –Manufacturing industry only 4 Revised final rule (1987) –Expanded to include all industries, including healthcare 4 Revised final rule (1994) –Clarifications and modifications to enhance compliance.

Application “any chemical which is known to be present in the workplace in such a manner that employees may be exposed under normal conditions of use or in a foreseeable emergency”.... gases, liquids, and solids

Exemptions 4 Hazardous wastes 4 Tobacco/tobacco products 4 Wood/wood products 4 Articles 4 Food or alcoholic beverages 4 Drugs (e.g. pills) 4 Cosmetics 4 Consumer products 4 Nuisance particulates 4 Ionizing and nonionizing radiation 4 Biologicals

Limited Coverage Laboratories Retail, warehousing, marine cargo handling

Program Overview

Major Program Components 4 Written Program 4 Warning labels 4 Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) 4 Information and training

Written Program

Written Program Compliance Tips 4 Include a list of the hazardous chemicals present in the workplace 4 Describe procedures for –warning labels, MSDSs, training & education –informing employees of non-routine tasks and of chemicals in unlabeled pipes –sharing information with other employers 4 Make the program available to employees

Chemical Inventories Compliance Tips 4 Include all hazardous chemicals 4 Compile for the workplace or for individual work areas 4 List by the chemical names (identities) used on the MSDSs and warning labels

Warning Labels

4 Chemicals regulated by the following acts do not require OSHA HAZCOM warning labels –Toxic Substances Control Act –Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act –Virus-Serum-Toxin Act –Federal Alcohol Administration Act –Consumer Product Safety Act –Federal Seed Act

Warning Labels 4 Original container –identity –hazard warnings –name and address of the manufacturer 4 Portable transfer containers (multiple users/work shifts) –identity –hazard warnings

Warning Labels Compliance Tips 4 Ensure each container is properly labeled 4 Verify that the label is legible and in English 4 Permissible to supplement with other languages and labeling systems

Material Safety Data Sheets

4 Manufacturer’s responsibilities: –Review scientific evidence –Develop MSDSs –Send with initial shipments, after each update, and upon request –Update when new information becomes available

Material Safety Data Sheets 4 Employers responsibilities: –Maintain an MSDS for each hazardous chemical in the workplace –Train workers to read MSDS information –Ensure MSDSs are readily accessible to workers

General 4 No specific format 4 Must include 12 categories of information to be considered complete

Material Safety Data Sheets –Identity –name, address, and telephone number of the manufacturer –date MSDS was prepared –hazardous components & exposure limits –physical and chemical characteristics –physical hazards –health hazards –precautions for safe handling and use –control measures –emergency and first- aid procedures –primary route(s) of exposure –listed as a known or suspected carcinogen

Chemical Identification & Manufacturer’s Information 4 Product identity –Chemical brand or trade name, chemical name, or common name 4 Manufacturer’s information –name, address, telephone number, and emergency telephone number 4 Date MSDS was prepared or updated

Hazardous Components or Ingredients & Exposure Limits 4 Identity of hazardous ingredients (>1% of the mixture) 4 Identity of carcinogenic ingredients (>0.1% of the mixture) 4 OSHA Permissible exposure levels (PELs) 4 ACGIH Threshold Limit Values (TLVs)

Physical & Chemical Characteristics 4 Boiling point 4 Vapor pressure 4 Vapor density 4 Solubility in water 4 pH 4 Specific gravity 4 Melting point 4 Evaporation rate 4 Appearance and odor

Physical Hazards: Fire and Explosion Data 4 Flash point 4 Upper and lower flammable limits –(UFL or UEL) –(LFL or LEL) 4 Ignition temperature 4 Auto ignition temperature 4 Extinguishing media 4 Special fire fighting procedures 4 Unusual fire and explosion hazards 4 Fire fighting equipment & methods 4 NFPA 704 Hazard Rating

Physical Hazards: Reactivity Data 4 Stability –Unstable –Stable –Conditions to avoid 4 Hazardous decomposition or byproducts 4 Hazardous polymerization –May occur –Will not occur –Conditions to avoid 4 Incompatibility –Materials to avoid

Routes of Entry, Carcinogenic Data & Emergency Information 4 Routes of entry –Inhalation –Skin/eyes –Ingestion 4 Health effects –Acute –Chronic 4 Emergency and first aid procedures 4 Carcinogenic –NTP –IARC –OSHA 4 Signs and symptoms of exposure 4 Medical conditions aggravated by exposure

Precautions for Safe Handling and Use 4 Spill response 4 Waste disposal 4 Handling and storage 4 Other precautions

Control Measures 4 Personal protective equipment (PPE) –Respirators, gloves, eye protection, other 4 Ventilation –Local exhaust, general, other 4 Work/hygienic practices

Material Safety Data Sheets Compliance Tips 4 Verify that an MSDS is available for each hazardous chemical 4 Verify MSDSs are in English and complete 4 Keep MSDSs in a readily accessible location 4 Permissible to obtain/maintain MSDSs written in other languages and use electronic MSDSs

Information & Training

Information 4 Overview of the OSHA HAZCOM standard 4 Operations where hazardous chemicals are present 4 Location and availability of the organization’s written HAZCOM program

Training 4 Detection of hazardous chemical release(s) 4 Physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the work area 4 Measures for preventing exposure(s) 4 Details of the organization’s HAZCOM program

Information & Training Compliance Tips 4 Provide organization-wide and work area- specific education & training 4 Ensure employees can describe or demonstrate: –safe work practices –emergency procedures –health and physical hazards –spill reporting procedures

Spill Response

Determined by: 4 Chemical and physical properties 4 Work area location & physical hazards 4 Size of the spill 4 Availability of spill kits or equipment and appropriate personal protective equipment 4 Worker training

Spill Response Compliance Tips 4 Emphasize importance of spill prevention 4 Train employees in spill reporting and response procedures 4 Provide spill kits or equipment and PPE when employees must clean up spills 4 Investigate spill incidents and take corrective action(s) to prevent reoccurrence

Questions?

Review 4 Purpose of the HAZCOM Standard 4 4 major program components 4 12 required pieces of information on an MSDS