june 2020 hazard communication awareness training

HAZARD COMMUNICATION AWARENESS TRAINING

JUNE 2020

RADIOLOGICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENTPFW REM

Your Right To Know

CONTACT US

Welcome to Hazard Communication Awareness Training presented by Radiological & Environmental Management or REM at Purdue Fort

Wayne!

If you have any questions or concerns after viewing this training, please feel free to contact REM.

Stephanie Phillips Environmental Health and Safety Manager [email protected]

Jenna BigginsEnvironmental Health and Safety Specialist [email protected]

Erin TurnerEnvironmental Health and Safety Specialist [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]



OVERVIEW• Hazardous materials including chemical, biological and radiological agents

are routinely handled on campus and in our research laboratories. • Hazardous chemicals are handled in many, and in fact most areas on

campus.• It is essential that individuals handling hazardous materials understand the

risk posed by these materials as well as how to protect themselves from these hazards.


WHY DO YOU NEED THIS TRAINING?

Working with hazardous materials is not a regular part of your job, however, it is essential that you have some basic information regarding hazardous

materials because they may be used in your work area by others or you may enter areas where they are in use.


TYPES OF HAZARDS

The most common type of hazardous material found on campus are chemicals and chemical products. Hazardous chemicals on campus include laboratory reagents, solvents, cleaners, glues, fuel and other flammable and combustible liquids.A chemical is considered hazardous if it possesses one or more health or physical hazardous characteristics.

This tables lists the most common health and physical characteristics of chemicals.


A chemical is considered a physical hazard if it is explosive, reactive to air or water, flammable and can catch fire, an oxidizer that can cause a

fire, cryogenic, gases under pressure, or can corrode metals.


A chemical is considered a health hazard if short term exposures can be fatal or toxic, if contact can cause severe skin or eye damage, if it is a sensitizer where exposure can cause an allergic skin or respiratory reaction, if it is toxic or harmful to a particular part of the body, if it can cause cancer or interfere with reproduction, and if it can displace oxygen and cause suffocation.

ACUTE VS. CHRONIC

The body may react immediately when exposed to a health hazard, termed an acute health effect or many years following the exposure, termed a chronic health effect.

The irritation experienced immediately following exposure to ammonia is an example an acute health effect.

The development of liver disease or cancer after many years of exposure to a chemical is an example of a chronic health effect.


ROUTES OF ENTRY

In order for a chemical to cause harm, it must gain entry into the body. The most common ways for a chemical exposure to occur in an occupational setting are inhaling an airborne chemical

and the absorption of the chemical through the skin following contamination. Inadvertent ingestion of a chemical, perhaps from contamination of an object placed in the mouth, and skin punctures with a contaminated object are less common routes of exposure.

We can protect ourselves from most chemical exposures by handling chemicals in well ventilated areas and wearing protective gloves.


SYMPTOMS OF OVER-EXPOSURE

Although symptoms of over-exposure vary by chemical, there are some common signs of chemical over-exposure and these include, • Dizziness or light-headedness• Difficultly breathing, coughing or wheezing• Tearing eyes or runny nose• Nausea• Skin reddening, irritation or blisteringIf chemicals are in use in your area and you develop any of the signs or symptoms of chemical over-exposure, you should immediately contact your supervisor or REM. REM will respond and investigate.


It should be noted that the odor threshold of chemicals varies widely and odor is not a good indication of

exposure.


Some chemicals have a very low odor threshold and their presence in the air can be detected even when a very small quantity of the chemical is actually present, well below the level where any adverse health effects would be experienced.

Ethyl Acetate, the solvent found in nail polish remover, is an example of this type of chemical. Other chemicals cannot be detected in the air even when a toxic level is present. We cannot rely on chemical odor detection to determine the safety of an environment.

DECONTAMINATIONIf you should be become contaminated or splashed with a hazardous chemical, immediately strip off contaminated clothing and personal protective equipment, and then flush the contaminated body part with large amounts of water. This may be done at an eye wash or emergency shower. If exposure is limited to hands and arms, a sink may be used. But if these are not immediately available, use any clean water source.

After flushing, wash the affected area with soap and water and inform your supervisor.

If you feel you have inhaled a hazardous chemical, secure the chemical and immediately remove yourself to fresh air, inform your supervisor, and obtain medical attention if necessary.


WORKING WITH HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS

Everyone who handles a hazardous chemical must know the appropriate safeguards to follow including how to properly store the material and what personal protective equipment or PPE to wear.

In some cases chemical resistant gloves and eye protection may be worn.

If you handle hazardous chemicals while performing your job, your supervisor will review the proper handling and storage requirements.


SAFETY DATA SHEETS (SDS) AND LABELSThis information and much more can also be found in SDSs or Safety Data Sheets – a health and safety document created by the chemical manufacturer or distributor and may be on the labels of the hazardous chemical.

The label on a hazardous chemical should contain• The chemical or product name• Its hazardous properties• The manufacturers name• Pictograms indicating the hazardous properties

The safety data sheet is your best source for information about the chemical’s hazardous properties, appropriate handling and storage practices, and how to respond to exposure or emergency situations.A safety data sheet is available for every hazardous chemical. The name on the label is always the same as the name on the SDS.


LABS, CLINICS, OR SHOPS

Some employees who mainly work in an office, must occasionally enter research laboratories, clinical area, or facility or fabrication shops. When entering these spaces, employees must know how to conduct themselves so they are not injured, exposed, or contaminated with hazardous materials that may be present, and in the case of patient care areas, expose others to illnesses they may harbor.


LABORATORIESFrom time to time, you may be asked to enter a laboratory or other research space. It is important during these times that you and or the objects you may be carrying with you do not come in direct contact with objects that could be contaminated with a chemical, radioactive material, or a biological agent.

To ensure this, we ask visitors of laboratories and other research spaces to follow these rules:• Wear long pants or long skirt• Wear safety glasses • Wear closed-toed shoes and long pants or long skirt• Do not touch any containers or chemicals • Do not touch any equipment labeled with a chemical, radiological, or

biohazard sticker• Do not touch or place anything on a bench top• Do not place anything in a chemical fume hood or biological safety

cabinet• Do not use the sink

If anyone asks you why you have entered the lab, introduce yourself and explain what you’re doing. Laboratory employees have been trained to question visitors to their laboratories if they do not recognize them. If you don’t think a laboratory staff member is aware of your presence, try not to startle anyone working.


CLINICSIf you are asked to enter clinical areas, please be mindful that patients may be present. The issues of infection control and patient privacy are extremely important.

When entering these spaces, it is important that you follow these procedures:• Wash your hands before entering or use an alcohol

based hand sanitizer• Try not to sneeze or cough, if you are sick, you should

not be entering the space• Cover all unhealed cuts or abrasions• Enter patient care or exam rooms only when patients are

NOT present• Patient information is confidential and should not be

viewed• Avoid touching equipment or waste containers labeled

with biohazard stickers unless wearing gloves• If you wear gloves, remove and dispose of them before

leaving the area in which they were used and wash your hands with soap and water

• Do not touch or move chemical waste stored in accumulation areas


SHOPSSpecialized power equipment is operated in shops that you may be asked to enter.

The following procedures should be followed when entering shops:• Wear safety glasses• Do not wear loose clothing • Do not wear shorts or open toed shoes• Do not operate any of the equipment• Do not startle or approach anyone operating

equipment. If you must speak to them, wait until they have completed their task


OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA)

Hazard Communication Standard

In the area of chemical safety, Purdue Fort Wayne follows the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard.This standard was enacted to ensure that all chemical hazards are evaluated and this information is disseminated to employees by safety data sheets, labels, and employee training.The major requirements of OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard are:• Identification of chemical hazards by manufacturers and importers• Development of a written program describing an institution’s compliance

strategy• All hazardous chemicals are labeled or other form of warning provided• SDSs are available for hazardous chemicals • Training is provided to employees handling hazardous chemicals


CONTACT US

THANK YOU!If you have any questions or concerns after viewing this training,

please feel free to contact REM.

Stephanie Phillips Environmental Health and Safety Manager [email protected] X14193

Jenna BigginsEnvironmental Health and Safety Specialist [email protected] x15744

Erin TurnerEnvironmental Health and Safety Specialist [email protected] x14197





june 2020 hazard communication awareness training

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