1. Hazard Communication
Version 1 | Effective date 1st February |

2. Contents In this module, you will learn about:
Intent of the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)
Labelling requirements
Locations of the Swissport HCS Program and MSDS / SDS at your facility
PPE requirements and other preventative measures
Signs and Symptoms of Exposure to chemicals you may contact
Reading and interpreting signs and pictograms at your facility

3. Objectives
To understand the intended purpose of the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) and how it has been revised with the adoption of the internationally accepted Globally Harmonized System (GHS)
To be able to locate the Swissport Hazard Communication Program at your facility along with the MSDS / SDS Information.
Understand how to read and interpret information on an MSDS / SDS.
To be able to properly interpret (HCS) hazard warning Pictograms, Signal Words, Hazard Statements, and Precautionary Statements.
To understand the physical and health hazards of the chemicals in your place of work, to also include signs and symptoms of exposure to those chemicals.
These objectives will be reviewed at the end of the course.

4. Background of the HCS
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) first introduced the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) in The standard gave both employers and employees extensive chemical information provided by the chemical manufacturers.
The standard required manufactures to evaluate their product, then provide the information in one of two forms, Material Safety Data Sheets or MSDS’s and Labels.
Employers are then to identify those chemicals used at the work place, train employees how to work around those chemicals safely, develop a written program, and make available Material Safety Data Sheets to employees.

5. The HCS and adoption of GHS
Employees equipped with the training, and information provided through the HCS requirements therefore should be able to confidently and safely handle chemicals in the workplace. Which in part is why the standard became know as the “Employees Right to Know”
The new HCS was published in 2012 to align it with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, or simply the GHS. The GHS is now aligned with the international communities labeling requirements along with standardizing the format of the Safety Data Sheets.
The overall goal is to reduce the incidents of chemical source illness and injury.

6. Chemical Exposure
The primary goal of hazard communication is knowing how to properly work with chemicals safely. Personal Protective equipment, good house keeping, and proper hygiene are equally important to prevent against exposure. The four routes of exposure are listed below.
Inhalation - Inhalation likely is the most common route of exposure. This includes breathing in dust, fumes, oil mist, and vapors from solvents and various gases. Working in well ventilated locations or the use of respirators suitable for the chemical can prevent inhalation exposure.
Skin Absorption - Some chemicals are absorbed into the body through skin contact. If a chemical is readily absorbed into the skin, then the notation "skin" will appear along with the occupational exposure limits on the MSDS. Corrosive chemicals can cause burns and tissue destruction. The use of PPE and proper hygiene can help prevent against this type of exposure.

7. Chemical Exposure
Ingestion - To prevent incidental ingestion of the chemicals you work with. Avoid consuming foods in areas where chemicals are used, and clean work areas to prevent the transfer of chemicals. In addition practice good hygiene by washing hands, arms, and face with soap and water after working with chemicals.
Injection – Injection of chemicals can occur while working around sharps, or when highly pressurized systems when leaks occur. Penetration or cut resistant PPE often may be required in these scenarios.

8. HCS Labelling Requirements
Chemical manufacturers are required to either label, or ensure that products that leave their facility are labeled in accordance with the HCS as such.
Product identifier
Signal Word
Hazard statement(s)
Pictogram(s)
Precautionary statement(s)
Name, address, and telephone number of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party.
Employers will verify that chemicals in the workplace have properly affixed labels, and cannot under the provisions of the HCS remove or deface existing labels. Bulk containers with damaged or missing labels should be isolated from use until a new label is affixed to the container.

9. HCS Labelling Requirements
Employers are not required to label portable containers into which chemicals are transferred into from properly labeled bulk containers, provided it’s immediate use if for the individual whom transferred the product.

10. The revised HCS specifies the following required Labeling information.
GHS Labelling
The revised HCS specifies the following required Labeling information.
Pictogram: Each pictogram consists of a different symbol on a white background within a red “diamond” border. There are eight required pictograms, with the ninth (Environment) not mandatory under the GHS.
Signal Words: are a single word used to describe the relative level severity the chemical may pose. “Danger” is used for more severe hazards while “Warning” is used for less severe hazards.
Hazard Statement: describes the nature of the hazard(s) of a chemical, including, where appropriate, the degree of hazard.
Precautionary Statement: is a phrase that describes recommended measures to be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to a hazardous chemical, or improper storage or handling of a chemical.

11. Reviewing GHS Pictograms
Health Hazard
Carcinogen
Mutagenicity
Reproductive Toxicity
Respiratory Sensitizer
Target Organ Toxicity
Aspiration Toxicity
Flame
Flammables
Pyrophoric
Self-Heating
Emits Flammable Gas
Self-Reacts
Organic Peroxides

12. Reviewing GHS Pictograms
Exclamation Mark:
Irritant (skin and eye)
Skin Sensitizer
Acute Toxicity (harmful)
Narcotic Effects
Respiratory Tract irritant
Hazardous to Ozone layer (Non Mandatory)
Corrosion:
Skin Corrosion / Burns
Eye Damage
Corrosive to Metals

13. Reviewing GHS Pictograms
Gas Cylinder:
Gas under Pressure
Exploding Bomb:
Explosives
Self-Reactive
Organic Peroxides

14. Reviewing GHS Pictograms
Flame over Circle:
Oxidizers
Skull and Crossbones:
Acute Toxicity (Fatal or Toxic)

15. Reviewing GHS Pictograms
Environment (Non Mandatory):
Aquatic Toxicity

16. Alternate Labeling (NFPA 704)
Although not part of the HCS, the National Fire Protection Association created this label with Emergency Response in mind.
The “Diamond” uses four color coded sections to represent various risk for responders to be aware.
Blue = Health Hazards
Red = Flammability (Fire Hazards)
Yellow = Instability
White = Special Hazards
Numbering within each section represents and increased risk with 0 (Zero) the least and 4 (four) being the greatest risk.

17. Alternate Labeling (HMIS III)
The HMIS III label also uses color oriented sections to identify risks posed with chemicals. Similar to the NFPA 704 the higher the number in the Health, Flammability, and Physical Hazards indicate greater risk. An * (asterisk) in the Health section indicates a chronic health hazard.
Letters in the “Personal Protection” section represent different PPE or combinations of while using the chemical.

18. MSDS is now the SDS
The MSDS or Material Safety Data Sheet has become synonymous with the Hazard Communication Standard. This document which has been required by the HCS since it’s implementation and revised under the 1994 standard to require what information be provided on the document will essentially remain unchanged with the GHS alignment.
The changes to the MSDS are as follow;
MSDS will now be referred to as SDS or Safety Data Sheet, the word “Material” has been dropped.
Where as the information required remains intact the format for which the SDS is written will now be standardized.

19. MSDS is now the SDS
The format for the Safety Data Sheets will be formatted in the following order.
Section 1.
Section 1: Identification
Section 2: Hazard(s) identification
Section 3: Composition/information on ingredients
Section 4: First-Aid measures
Section 5: Fire-fighting measures
Section 6: Accidental release measures
Section 7: Handling and storage
Section 8: Exposure controls/personal protection
Section 9: Physical and chemical properties
Section 10: Stability and reactivity
Section 11: Toxicological information
Section 12: Ecological information
Section 13: Disposal considerations
Section 14: Transport information
Section 15: Regulatory information
Section 16: Other information, including date of preparation or last revision