Hazard Communication

SAFETY

The purpose of OSHA Hazard Communication Standard is to ensure that the hazards of all

chemicals produced or imported are classified, and that information concerning the classified hazards is

transmitted to employers and employees.

"Exposure to hazardous chemicals is one of the most serious threats facing American workers today,“

-U.S. Secretary of Labor

• As a worker you should be aware of……– Any operations in your work area where hazardous

chemicals are present; and,– The location and availability of the written hazard

communication program, including the required list(s) of hazardous chemicals, and safety data sheets.

SAFETY

What Types of Hazards could you face:

• Physical • Health• Simple Asphyxiation• Combustible Dust• Gas Hazards

– as well as the hazards of the chemicals in the work area; – You should also be aware of how to protect yourself from these

hazards• i.e. Ventilation, Controlled Access Zones, PPE

SAFETY

Chemical Hazards

• Physical Hazards such as flammability or explosive potential– Can cause serious accidents or injuries

• Health Hazards can affect a persons health– Either in the short term or in the long term

SAFETY

What is a Physical Hazard?

• Physical hazards are those substances which threaten your physical safety. The following slides describe various types of physical hazards.

– Combustible liquid– Compressed gas– Explosive– Flammable– Organic peroxide– Oxidizer– Pyrophoric– Unstable (reactive)– Water-reactive

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Physical Hazards Which Use the Fire Symbol

• There are three types of physical hazards which use the fire symbol.

– Flammables - can be gases, liquids or solids. Flammables ignite easily and burn rapidly. Liquid flammables have a flash point under 100 degrees F.

– Combustibles - are similar to flammables, but they do not ignite easily. Liquid combustibles have a flash point above 100 degrees F.

– Pyrophoric- burst into flames “on their own” at temperatures below 130 degrees F.

SAFETY

Physical Hazards Which Use the Explosive Symbol

• There are three types of physical hazards which use the explosive symbol.

– Explosives - are materials which release a tremendous amount of energy in the form of heat, light and expanding pressure within a very short period of time.

– Water Reactives - react with water and may explode, or they may release a gas which is flammable.

– Unstable Reactives - are chemicals that can react or can become self-reactive when subjected to shock, pressure or temperature.

SAFETY

Health Hazards

• The effects of health hazards are classified as either:– Acute Health Hazards are those whose effects occur

immediately or soon after you come in contact with them.• Example: Getting splashed with acid and being burned immediately.

– Chronic Health Hazards are those whose effects take years or decades to occur after many exposures.

• Example: Getting asbestosis from being exposed to asbestos for 20 years.

Routes of Exposure

1. Inhalation: is the most common route of exposure for most health hazards.

– This includes breathing in dust, fumes, oil mist, and vapors from solvents and various gases.

2. Skin Contact (Absorption): The route of exposure where chemicals are absorbed into the body through skin contact.

3. Ingestion: It is possible to accidentally eat chemicals that are health hazards. To insure that you do not accidentally eat any of the chemicals you work with:

– Never eat foods in areas where chemicals are used.– Never smoke in areas where chemicals are used.– Wash your hands and face before you eat, drink, or

smoke.

Discuss the particular tasks completed at your site that present serious safety hazards due to the use of chemicals. Cover the precautions that are taken to prevent exposure.

Simple Asphyxiants

• Many simple asphyxiants have little or no warning properties. • For some of the agents, the major hazard is their flammable

or explosive properties (hydrogen, ethane, ethylene, acetylene, methane, propane, and propylene). Simple asphyxiants include:

– Hydrogen, Helium; – Ethane, Ethylene; – Nitrogen, Neon; – Carbon dioxide; – Acetylene, Argon; – Methane; – Propane, Propylene

• Areas of Concern:Confined Space WorkWork with Toxic Chemicals that could be spilled

SAFETY

Warning Placards

SAFETY

NFPA Diamond

SAFETY

Hazard CommunicationHSC 2012

• In early 2012, US OSHA published a new hazard communication standard intended to harmonize how the United States communicates chemical hazards with global standards.

• There are two big changes to the OSHA standard:– By June 1, 2015 all MSDS will be called “Safety Data Sheets”

(SDS) and they will include 16 standard sections.

– Also by June 1, 2015, the content of container labels will change significantly.

Safety

Discuss the locations of the “Safety Data Sheets”

Safety Data Sheets

• 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

*OHSA has indicated that they will not regulate these sections because they are under EPA jurisdiction.

Safety

Labels

• As of June 1, 2015, all labels will be required to have pictograms, a signal word, hazard and precautionary statements, the product identifier, and supplier identification.

Safety

Secondary Labeling

• The secondary labeling systems that are currently being used will not change.

– NFPA Diamond– HMIS Labeling System– CAT Hazardous Material Labeling

SAFETY

Name That Pictogram Game

• Flammable

• Acute Toxicity

• Hazardous to the Environment

• Compressed Gas

Safety

Name That Pictogram Game

• Irritant (Skin and Eyes)– Sensitizer

• Health Hazard

• Corrosive

• Explosion Hazard / Self Reactive / Water Reactive

Safety

Name That Pictogram Game

• Oxidizers- cause other substances to burn more easily through a chemical reaction or change. Organic Peroxides - contain oxygen and act as powerful oxidizers.

SAFETY

Questions/Quiz Review

Safety