hazard communication

Tulane University - Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

HAZARD COMMUNICATION

January 2013


Office of Environmental Health & Safety

Pam Fatland – Manager, Safety Program


Objectives

To become familiar with:


What is GHS?

• A worldwide initiative to promote standard criteria for classifying chemicals

• Based on criteria-based definitions of physical, health, and environmental hazards

• OSHA has not adopted environmental aspects because it does not have jurisdiction over environmental matters


OSHA HAZARD COMMUNICATION STANDARD• Revised March 26, 2012 (29 CFR 1910.1200)• Includes certain aspects of globally harmonized

system of classification and labeling of chemicals (GHS)

• Purpose: To understand chemical hazards in the workplace and how to protect yourself


OSHA HAZARD COMMUNICATION STANDARDMajor changes include:

•“Right to Know” changes to “Right to Understand”•Several definitions revised, changed, or deleted•“Hazard determination” now “hazard classification”•Significant changes to labels•Specified format for safety data sheets (formerly MSDSs)


OSHA HAZARD COMMUNICATION STANDARD

• Under the OSHA HAZCOM standard, manufacturers of chemicals are required to classify the chemicals they produce and transmit that information to customers on labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)

Classifying Physical Hazards• Explosives• Flammable gases• Flammable aerosols• Oxidizing gases• Gases under pressure• Flammable liquids• Flammable solids• Self-reactive substances

• Pyrophoric liquids• Pyrophoric solids• Self heating substances• Water reactives• Oxidizing liquids• Oxidizing solids• Organic peroxides• Corrosive to metals


Classifying Health Hazards• Acute toxicity• Skin corrosion/irritation• Eye damage/eye irritation• Respiratory/skin

sensitization• Germ cell mutagenicity• Carcinogenicity• Reproductive toxicity

• Target organ systemic toxicity – single exposure

• Target organ – multiple• Aspiration toxicity


Definition ChangesAdded Definitions:•Classification•Hazard Category•Hazard Class•Hazard Not Otherwise Classified•Hazard Statement•Label elements•Pictogram

• Precautionary statement• Product Identifier• Pyrophoric Gas• SDS• Signal Word• Simple asphyxiant• Substance


Definition ChangesDeleted Definitions:•Combustible liquid•Compressed gas•Explosive•Flammable•Flashpoint•Hazard warning•Identity

• MSDS• Organic peroxide• Oxidizer• Pyrophoric• Unstable (reactive)• Water reactive


Definition ChangesRevised Definitions:•Chemical•Chemical name•Hazardous chemical•Health hazard

• Label• Mixture• Physical hazard• Trade secret



NEW CHEMICAL LABELSRequired Information – Shipped Containers• Product Identifier• GHS Pictograms• Signal Words• Hazard Statements• Precautionary Statements• Supplier Information• Supplementary Information


NEW CHEMICAL LABELSExample Label – Shipped Containers


Transfer Containers Required Information

Transfer containers can use GHS elements as stated on the shipping containers

OR Can use label alternatives that meet the requirements of the standard


Transfer Containers Required Information

(unless the container is intended for the immediate use of the employee who performed the transfer)

•Product Identifier•Words, Pictures, or Symbols•General hazard information•Specific information about physical and health hazards


Product Identifier

• The chemical name, Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number, or any other information that reveals the precise chemical designation of the substance.

• It provides a unique means by which the user can identify the chemical.


Pictogram

• A composition that may include a symbol plus other graphic elements, such as a border, background pattern, or color, that is intended to convey specific information about the hazards of a chemical.

Pictograms



Chemical ClassificationsExplosives, Self-reactive substances, Organic Peroxides

– Chemicals which can release pressure, gas, and heat when subjected to shock, pressure, or high temperature

• Examples: nitroglycerin, TNT, picric acid, sodium azide

Exploding Bomb


Chemical ClassificationsFlammables, Pyrophorics, Self-heating substances,

Self-reactives, Substances which emit flammable gas, organic peroxides – Chemicals which can ignite easily and burn rapidly, either spontaneously (pyrophoric) or from exposure to a high-temperature environment (autoignition), or a spark or open flame

• Examples: gasoline, solvents, ether, hexane, alcohol, acetone

Flame


Chemical ClassificationsOxidizers, Organic Peroxides – Chemicals which

promote combustion• Examples: oxygen, perchloric acid, nitric acidNote: Keep oxidizers away from flammables.

Flame Over Circle


Chemical ClassificationsCorrosive to metals, Skin corrosion, Serious eye damage –

Chemicals which can cause irreversible alterations/chemical burns to human tissue (Acids/Caustics)

• Examples: sulfuric acid, nitric acid, hydrofluoric acid, ammonia gas, hydrochloric acid

Corrosion

Chemical ClassificationsCarcinogens, Respiratory Sensitizers, Reproductive

toxicity, Target organ toxicity, Mutagens, Aspiration hazards – Chemicals which can cause or are suspected of causing cancer or health hazards

• Examples: benzene, chloroform, formaldehyde, carbon tetrachloride, dichloromethane

Health Hazard



Chemical ClassificationsGases Under Pressure – Gases which are stored in a

container (cylinder, lecture bottle) under pressure• Examples: argon, nitrogen, chlorine, carbon

dioxide, oxygen, acetyleneNote: Cylinders must be chained and have protective

caps in place.

Gases Under Pressure


Chemical ClassificationsIrritant, Skin sensitizer, Acute toxicity, Transient Target

Organ Effects (Narcotic Effects, Respiratory Tract Irritation) – Chemicals which can cause reversible inflammatory reactions (watery eyes, itchy skin)

• Examples: formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide

Exclamation Mark


Chemical ClassificationsAcute Toxicity – The ability of a chemical to produce a

health effect or injury once it reaches a susceptible site in or on the body

• Examples: lead and its salts, arsenic, dimethyl mercury, silica dust, cyanides, hydrogen bromide

Skull and Crossbones


Chemical ClassificationsAquatic Toxicity – The ability of a chemical to be

hazardous to the aquatic environmentNote: This pictogram is not enforced by OSHA.

Environment


Chemical Classifications

Under the GHS classifications, chemicals are also placed into categories. (It should be noted that

these categories are OPPOSITE from the numbering systems that have traditionally been

used in the U.S. such as the NFPA or HMIS ratings in which 4 was the most hazardous and 0 or 1 the least hazardous.) In the GHS system,

Category 1 would be the most hazardous.


Signal Words

A word used to indicate the relative level of severity of hazard and alert the reader to a potential hazard on the label.

“Danger”“Warning”


Hazard Statement

A statement assigned to a hazard class and category that describes the nature of the hazard of a chemical including, where appropriate, the degree of hazard.


Precautionary Statement

A phrase that describes recommended measures that should be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to a hazardous chemical, or improper storage or handling.


Supplier Information

• Company Name• Company Address• Company Phone• Emergency Phone


Supplementary Information

• Further detail of the hazards• Hazards not yet incorporated into

GHS• Information not required by GHS


CHEMICAL LABELS – General Information

• Required on all incoming containers, all transfer containers that will be left for a period of time, and on all containers that will be used by more than one person

• You can label an entire shelf instead of each individual container if all containers on the shelf contain the same thing (Ex. specimen containers of ethanol)

• Labels must be legible, in English with the full name of the chemical spelled out (no symbols or abbreviations)


Improper Labeling


Improper Labeling - Abbreviations


SAFETY DATA SHEETS (SDSs)• Documents that inform you of the hazards

associated with a chemical and how to protect yourself from those hazards

• SDSs must be readily accessible in the work area where the chemicals are used

• Each company publishes its own SDSs with their address and emergency contact information. Thus if you have a chemical such as acetone from two different manufacturers, you will need an SDS from each company.


SAFETY DATA SHEETS (SDSs) (The following lists information required on an SDS)

1. Identity2. Hazard identification3. Ingredients/composition4. First aid measures5. Fire fighting info6. Accidental release info7. Handling & storage8. Exposure controls/PPE

9. Physical/chemical properties10. Stability/reactivity11. Toxicology info12. Ecological info13. Disposal info14. Transport info15. Regulatory info16. Other info/any revisions


OEHS Website –Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Link

• Safety Data Sheets are available on the OEHS website under the following link: http://tulane.edu/oehs/safety/materialsafetydatasheets.cfm

http://tulane.edu/oehs/safety/materialsafetydatasheets.cfm



SAFETY DATA SHEETS – ACQUISITION

Ways to Obtain SDSs at Tulane:

• On OEHS Website at the following link: http://tulane.edu/oehs/safety/materialsafetydatasheets.cfm

• Online SDS collections • Online Manufacturer Links• Manufacturer FAX numbers• Other University Websites• OEHS Library of hard copies of SDSs



ELECTRONIC SAFETY DATA SHEETS

OSHA recognizes that SDSs can be kept electronically in the work area as long as there are no barriers to immediate access.

• All in work area must be trained on how to obtain SDSs

• You must be able to print SDSs• You must have an alternative to obtaining

SDSs in the event of power loss or other emergency (contact OEHS)


EXPOSURE CONTROLThere are three main ways to control exposure to chemicals:

• Engineering Controls (usually consists of ventilation, safety showers/eyewash units, etc.)

• Work Practices (handling, storage, housekeeping, etc.)

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (gloves, eye/face protection, etc.)


Office of Environmental Health & Safety

WEBSITE

http://tulane.edu/oehs


Tulane UniversityOffice of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS)

Pam FatlandManager, Safety Program

(504)988-2800http://tulane.edu/[email protected]

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