1 rochester institute of technology hazard communication (hazcom)

11Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochester Institute of Technology

Hazard Hazard CommunicationCommunication

(HazCom)(HazCom)


This material was produced under grant number 46B4-HT15 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial

products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.


Hazard CommunicationHazard Communication29 CFR 1910.120029 CFR 1910.1200

Known as “Chemical Right-to-Know”Known as “Chemical Right-to-Know” This standard was put into place to ensure This standard was put into place to ensure

employers and employees know about chemical employers and employees know about chemical work hazards and how to protect themselveswork hazards and how to protect themselves

Applies to general industry, shipyard, Applies to general industry, shipyard, longshoring, and construction workers, as well longshoring, and construction workers, as well as to chemical manufacturers and importers as to chemical manufacturers and importers exposed to chemical hazardsexposed to chemical hazards


HazComHazCom““Chemical Right-to-Know”Chemical Right-to-Know”

You, as an employee, have the right to know the properties and potential health & safety hazards of any hazardous chemical to which you may be exposed.


HazComHazComHazardous ChemicalHazardous Chemical

A A hazardous chemicalhazardous chemical is any chemical that is any chemical that may harm you physically or that may pose may harm you physically or that may pose a hazard to your health a hazard to your health

Hazardous chemicals may be:Hazardous chemicals may be:– GasesGases– LiquidsLiquids– SolidsSolids


HazComHazCom Employer ResponsibilitiesEmployer Responsibilities

Hazard determinationHazard determination Identify and list hazardous chemicals in workplaceIdentify and list hazardous chemicals in workplace Obtain and maintain Material Safety Data Sheets Obtain and maintain Material Safety Data Sheets

(MSDS)(MSDS) Implement a written HazCom programImplement a written HazCom program

– Describes how program elements will be met (MSDS, Describes how program elements will be met (MSDS, labels and employee information and training)labels and employee information and training)

Labels and other forms of warningLabels and other forms of warning Employee information and trainingEmployee information and training


HazComHazComEmployer Responsibilities (cont’d)Employer Responsibilities (cont’d)

A Hazard Communication written A Hazard Communication written program specifies how the employer will program specifies how the employer will handle:handle:

1.1. MSDSMSDS

2.2. Labels; MarkingsLabels; Markings

3.3. Employee Information & TrainingEmployee Information & Training


HazComHazComWritten ProgramWritten Program

Employers will provide a written program to Employers will provide a written program to provide information and trainingprovide information and training

Written program provides necessary hazard Written program provides necessary hazard information information

(f) "Labels and other forms of warning."(g) "Material safety data sheets."(h) "Employee information and training."

HazCom Program


HazComHazComMaterial Safety Data SheetsMaterial Safety Data Sheets

Prepared by the chemical manufacturer, Prepared by the chemical manufacturer, distributor or importer. Describes:distributor or importer. Describes:– Physical hazards: fire and explosionPhysical hazards: fire and explosion

– Health hazards: signs of exposureHealth hazards: signs of exposure

– Routes of exposureRoutes of exposure

– Safe handling and use precautionsSafe handling and use precautions

– Control measuresControl measures

– Emergency and first-aid proceduresEmergency and first-aid procedures

– Must be readily available to employeesMust be readily available to employees


Hazard CommunicationHazard Communication

Material Safety Data SheetsMaterial Safety Data SheetsSection I

Ma n u fa ctu re r 's Na m e Em e rge n cy Te le ph on e Nu m be r

Addre s s (Nu m be r, S t re e t , Cit y , S tate , an d Z IP Code )

Te le ph on e Nu m be r for In form a t ion

Da te Pre pa re d S ign a tu re of Pre pa re r (op t ion al)

Section I I - Hazardous I ngredients/ I dentity I nformation

Ha za rdou s Com pon e n ts ( S pe cific Ch e m ica l Ide n t ity; Com m on Na m e (s ) )

OS HA PEL

ACGIH TLV

Oth e r Lim it s Re com m e n de d

% (op t ion al)



Material Safety Data SheetsMaterial Safety Data SheetsSection I I I - Physical/ Chemical Characteristics

Boilin g Poin t S pe cific Gra vity (H2O = 1 )

Va por Pre s s u re (m m Hg)

Me lt in g Poin t

Va por De n s ity (AIR = 1 )

Eva pora t ion Ra te (Bu tyl Ace ta t e = 1 )

S olu b ility in Wa te r

Appe a ra n ce a n d Odor

Section I V - Fire and Explosion Hazard Data

Fla s h Poin t (Me th od Us e d)

Fla m m a ble Lim it s LEL UEL

Ext in gu is h in g Me d ia

S pe cia l Fire Figh t in g Proce du re s

Un u s u a l Fire a n d Exp los ion Ha za rd s

(Re produ ce loca lly) OS HA 1 7 4 , S e p t . 1 9 8 5



Material Safety Data SheetsMaterial Safety Data SheetsSection V - Reactivity Data

Un s ta b le S ta b ility

S ta b le

Con d it ion s to Avoid

In com pa t ib ility (Mat e rials to Av oid )

Ha za rdou s De com pos it ion or Byprodu ct s

Ma y Occu r Ha za rdou s Polym e riza t ion

Will Not Occu r

Con d it ion s to Avoid

Section VI - Health Hazard Data

Rou te ( s ) of En t ry: In h a la t ion ? S kin ? In ge s t ion ?

He a lth Ha za rd s (Acu te an d Ch ron ic)

Ca rcin oge n icity: NTP? IARC Mon ogra ph s ? OS HA Re g u la te d?

S ign s a n d S ym p tom s of Expos u re

Me dica l Con d it ion s Ge n e ra lly Aggra va t e d by Expos u re

Em e rge n cy a n d Firs t Aid Proce du re s



Material Safety Data SheetsMaterial Safety Data SheetsSection VI I - Precautions for Safe Handling and Use

S te ps to Be Ta ke n in Ca s e Ma te ria l is Re le a s e d or S p ille d

Wa s te Dis pos a l Me th od

Pre ca u t ion s to Be t a ke n in Ha n d lin g a n d S tor in g

Oth e r Pre ca u t ion s

Section VI I I - Control Measures

Re s p ira tory Prote ct ion (S pe cify Ty pe )

Loca l Exh a u s t S pe cia l Ve n t ila t ion

Me ch a n ica l (Ge n e ral) Oth e r

Prote ct ive Glove s Eye Prote ct ion

Oth e r Prote ct ive Clo th in g or Equ ipm e n t

Work/ Hyg ie n ic Pra ct ice s

* U.S .G.P.O. : 1 9 8 6 - 4 9 1 - 5 2 9 / 4 5 7 7 5


HazComHazCom Labeling & MarkingLabeling & Marking

Label each container with:Label each container with:– Name of chemicalName of chemical– Appropriate hazard warning(s)Appropriate hazard warning(s)– Name & address of responsible partyName & address of responsible party

Warning can be written, a picture, or symbol Warning can be written, a picture, or symbol as long as you provide information on as long as you provide information on hazards, and target organs affected, if hazards, and target organs affected, if applicableapplicable

Must be legibleMust be legible


HazComHazComLabeling & Marking (cont’d)Labeling & Marking (cont’d)

Two common labeling and marking systems Two common labeling and marking systems are:are:– National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

DiamondDiamond– Hazardous Materials Identification System Hazardous Materials Identification System

(HMIS)(HMIS)



NFPA DiamondNFPA DiamondColor coded, numerical rating systemColor coded, numerical rating systemBlue = HealthBlue = HealthRed = FlammabilityRed = FlammabilityYellow = ReactivityYellow = ReactivityWhite = Special hazardWhite = Special hazard informationinformation



NFPA DiamondNFPA Diamond4 = Deadly hazard4 = Deadly hazard3 = Severe hazard3 = Severe hazard2 = Moderate hazard2 = Moderate hazard1 = Slight hazard1 = Slight hazard0 = No hazard0 = No hazard



HMIS SystemHMIS SystemSame color & numerical rating system Same color & numerical rating system as NFPA diamondas NFPA diamond Blue = HealthBlue = Health Red = FlammabilityRed = Flammability Yellow = ReactivityYellow = Reactivity White = Personal Protective White = Personal Protective Equipment or special Equipment or special protection informationprotection information Numerical Rating of 0-4Numerical Rating of 0-4


HazComHazComEmployee Information & TrainingEmployee Information & Training

Required for all employees that are exposed to Required for all employees that are exposed to hazardous chemicals in the workplacehazardous chemicals in the workplace

Shown here is a partial list of common Shown here is a partial list of common hazardous chemicals typically found in your hazardous chemicals typically found in your industry:industry:– AmmoniaAmmonia– NitrogenNitrogen– Chlorine (Bleach)Chlorine (Bleach)– AcidsAcids– BasesBases



(cont’d)(cont’d)

Employees are required to receive Employees are required to receive HazardHazard

Communication training as follows:Communication training as follows:– Initially upon employmentInitially upon employment– Whenever a new hazardous chemical is Whenever a new hazardous chemical is

introduced into the work areaintroduced into the work area


HazComHazComEmployee Information & Training Employee Information & Training

(cont’d)(cont’d)

You must be provided with specific training for your You must be provided with specific training for your work area, including: work area, including: – Description or listing of chemicals in your work areaDescription or listing of chemicals in your work area– Specific procedures or precautions that must be Specific procedures or precautions that must be

used in your work areaused in your work area– Location of:Location of:

• The written Hazard Communication PlanThe written Hazard Communication Plan• Chemical Inventory List(s)Chemical Inventory List(s)• Material Safety Data SheetsMaterial Safety Data Sheets



(cont’d)(cont’d) You must be provided with specific training for You must be provided with specific training for

your work area, including:your work area, including:– Requirements of the HazCom standardRequirements of the HazCom standard– How to detect the presence or release of a How to detect the presence or release of a

hazardous chemical (see, taste, smell, hazardous chemical (see, taste, smell, monitoring devices, etc.)monitoring devices, etc.)

– Physical & Health hazardsPhysical & Health hazards– Details of your site-specific HazCom programDetails of your site-specific HazCom program


HazComHazComGeneral PrecautionsGeneral Precautions

Be aware of the potential Be aware of the potential hazards of the chemicals you hazards of the chemicals you are working withare working with– Read and understand the label Read and understand the label

and/or MSDSand/or MSDS– Ask your supervisor if you don’t Ask your supervisor if you don’t

understand somethingunderstand something Use proper ventilation when Use proper ventilation when

working with chemicals, and working with chemicals, and isolate the work area to isolate the work area to reduce unnecessary reduce unnecessary exposure to others in the exposure to others in the areaarea


HazComHazComGeneral Precautions (cont’d)General Precautions (cont’d)

Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) that Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) that is appropriate for the chemical you are working is appropriate for the chemical you are working with (e.g. gloves, goggles, protective clothing)with (e.g. gloves, goggles, protective clothing)– Avoid breathing vaporsAvoid breathing vapors– Avoid skin contact with chemicalsAvoid skin contact with chemicals

Learn to recognize potentially hazardous Learn to recognize potentially hazardous situations situations – Unlabeled containersUnlabeled containers– Unusual vapors or odorsUnusual vapors or odors– SpillsSpills– Non-routine tasksNon-routine tasks– Unlabeled pipes or containersUnlabeled pipes or containers


HazCom HazCom SummarySummary

This standard is simple…This standard is simple…Employees have both a Employees have both a needneed and a and a

right to knowright to know about hazardous about hazardous chemicals they are exposed to in the chemicals they are exposed to in the workplaceworkplace

Employers must inform employees what Employers must inform employees what PPE to wear to prevent adverse health PPE to wear to prevent adverse health effectseffects

1 rochester institute of technology hazard communication (hazcom)

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