HAZARD COMMUNICATION(HAZCOM)
Class Objectives
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
29 CFR 1910.1200, Hazard Communication JCAHO CAMH/CAMAC Standards, EC
1.5, 2.1 and 2.6, Hazardous Materials and Wastes
DOD Hazard Communication Program, Change 1 dated May 6, 1996
History and Scope
Original final rule (1983)– Manufacturing industry only
Revised final rule (1987) – Expanded to include all industries, including
healthcare
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. . . . gases, liquids, and solids
Exemptions
Hazardous wastes Tobacco/tobacco
products Wood/wood products Articles Food or alcoholic
beverages
Drugs (e.g. pills) Cosmetics Consumer products Nuisance particulates Ionizing and
nonionizing radiation Biologicals
Limited Coverage
LaboratoriesRetail, warehousing, marine
cargo handling
Program Overview
Em ployers:Develop a w ritten program
Provide w orker trainingM ake inform ation available to w orkers
Ma nufa cturers/Im porters:Evaluate chem icals
Develop M SDSs/w arning labelsTransm it inform ation
Major Program Components
Written Program Warning labels Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) Information and training
Written Program
Written ProgramCompliance Tips Include a list of the hazardous chemicals
present in the workplace 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
Make the program available to employees
Chemical InventoriesCompliance Tips Include all hazardous chemicals Compile for the workplace or for individual
work areas List by the chemical names (identities) used
on the MSDSs and warning labels
Warning Labels
Warning Labels
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
Original container– identity– hazard warnings– name and address of the manufacturer
Portable transfer containers (multiple users/work shifts)– identity– hazard warnings
Warning LabelsCompliance Tips Ensure each container is properly labeled Verify that the label is legible and in
English Permissible to supplement with other
languages and labeling systems
Material Safety Data Sheets
Material Safety Data Sheets
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
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
No specific format 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 Product identity
– Chemical brand or trade name, chemical name, or common name
Manufacturer’s information– name, address, telephone number, and
emergency telephone number
Date MSDS was prepared or updated
Hazardous Components or Ingredients & Exposure Limits Identity of hazardous ingredients (>1% of
the mixture) Identity of carcinogenic ingredients (>0.1%
of the mixture) OSHA Permissible exposure levels (PELs) ACGIH Threshold Limit Values (TLVs)
Physical & Chemical Characteristics Boiling point Vapor pressure Vapor density Solubility in water pH
Specific gravity Melting point Evaporation rate Appearance and
odor
Physical Hazards:Fire and Explosion Data Flash point Upper and lower
flammable limits– (UFL or UEL)
– (LFL or LEL)
Ignition temperature Auto ignition
temperature
Extinguishing media Special fire fighting
procedures Unusual fire and
explosion hazards Fire fighting
equipment & methods NFPA 704 Hazard
Rating
Physical Hazards: Reactivity Data
Stability– Unstable
– Stable
– Conditions to avoid
Hazardous decomposition or byproducts
Hazardous polymerization– May occur
– Will not occur
– Conditions to avoid
Incompatibility– Materials to avoid
Routes of Entry, Carcinogenic Data & Emergency Information Routes of entry
– Inhalation
– Skin/eyes
– Ingestion
Health effects– Acute
– Chronic
Emergency and first aid procedures
Carcinogenic– NTP
– IARC
– OSHA
Signs and symptoms of exposure
Medical conditions aggravated by exposure
Precautions for Safe Handling and Use Spill response Waste disposal
Handling and storage Other precautions
Control Measures
Personal protective equipment (PPE)– Respirators, gloves, eye protection, other
Ventilation– Local exhaust, general, other
Work/hygienic practices
Material Safety Data SheetsCompliance Tips Verify that an MSDS is available for each
hazardous chemical Verify MSDSs are in English and complete Keep MSDSs in a readily accessible location Permissible to obtain/maintain MSDSs
written in other languages and use electronic MSDSs
Information & Training
Information
Overview of the OSHA HAZCOM standard Operations where hazardous chemicals are
present Location and availability of the
organization’s written HAZCOM program
Training
Detection of hazardous chemical release(s) Physical and health hazards of the
chemicals in the work area Measures for preventing exposure(s) Details of the organization’s HAZCOM
program
Information & TrainingCompliance Tips Provide organization-wide and work area-
specific education & training Ensure employees can describe or
demonstrate:– safe work practices– emergency procedures– health and physical hazards– spill reporting procedures
Spill Response
Spill Response
Determined by: Chemical and physical properties Work area location & physical hazards Size of the spill Availability of spill kits or equipment and
appropriate personal protective equipment Worker training
Spill ResponseCompliance Tips Emphasize importance of spill prevention Train employees in spill reporting and
response procedures Provide spill kits or equipment and PPE
when employees must clean up spills Investigate spill incidents and take
corrective action(s) to prevent reoccurrence
Questions?
Review
Purpose of the HAZCOM Standard 4 major program components 12 required pieces of information on an
MSDS