NuCare Carolina Ambulance, NuCare Carolina Ambulance, Inc.Inc.

Annual OSHA TrainingAnnual OSHA Training

Hazard Communication2011 Update

Hazard Communication Hazard Communication StandardStandard

Established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Also known as the “Right to Know”Employees have both a need and a right to

know the hazards and identities of the chemicals they are exposed to when working.

Employees also need to know what protective measures are available to prevent adverse effects from occurring.

Hazard Communication Hazard Communication Standard (cont.)Standard (cont.)

Knowledge acquired under the standard will help employers provide safer workplaces for their employees.

Most products used in healthcare have some hazard potential, and thus will be covered by the standard.

This standard is performance-oriented. We have the flexibility to adapt the rule to the needs of our workplace, rather than having to follow specific, rigid requirements

Relay of informationRelay of information

Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import, and in return provide info about their products

What is a hazardous What is a hazardous chemical?chemical?

“Hazardous chemical means any chemical which is a physical hazard or a health hazard.”

Not all chemicals used by NuCare are hazardous. However, NuCare does maintain a list of those which the standard refers to as “hazardous.”

A determination of the degree of hazard of some chemicals used by NuCare does not necessarily mean an immediate and present danger to the safety and health of NuCare employees.

Hazardous Chemical or Hazardous Chemical or Not?Not?

If found that the product has the properties of a physical hazard (such as flammability) or a health hazard (such as irritation, lung damage, and cancer) then the product is classified as a “Hazardous Chemical”

Certain steps must be taken if the product is classified as a hazardous chemical

Physical HazardsPhysical HazardsExplosivesFlammableCombustibleReactive

Health HazardsHealth Hazards Irritants and

CorrosivesToxic and Highly

ToxicCarcinogenSensitizerSpecified Target

Organs

ExposureExposure“Exposure” or “exposed” under the

standard means that “an employee is subjected to a hazardous chemical in the course of employment through any route of entry (inhalation, ingestion, absorption, and ocular) and includes potential (accidental or possible) exposure”

The Four Keys to HarmThe Four Keys to Harm

How much exposure?How often exposed?How sensitive you are to the

chemical?How the material gets into the

body◦ i. e., the routes of entry

Routes of entryRoutes of entry

InhalationIngestionAbsorptionOcular

InhalationInhalation

Occurs when a chemical is breathed in through the nose or mouth

Most common method of getting chemicals into the body

IngestionIngestion

Through the mouthCan occur from one’s hands or

perhaps a contaminated cigarette placed into the mouth

Important not to eat or smoke in the same area as hazardous chemicals

AbsorptionAbsorption

Occurs when the material gets on our skin and travels into the bloodstream

OcularOcular

Occurs when the material gets into the eyes and travels into the bloodstream

Material Safety Data SheetsMaterial Safety Data SheetsDocuments that give very detailed hazard

information for a chemicalProvided by the chemical manufacturer to

provide additional information concerning safe use of the product

Employers must have an MSDS for each hazardous chemical which they use

Sometimes people think of “chemicals” as being only liquids in containers, but the Haz-Comm Standard covers chemicals in all forms- liquids, solids, gases, vapors, fumes, and mists- whether they are “contained” or not.

LocationLocation

MSDS books are located at the NuCare base and updated annually

They can be found in the Crew Office or Field Office and the Supervisor’s office.

ExclusionsExclusions

These regulations do not apply to any substances which are foods, drugs, cosmetics, or tobacco products intended for personal consumption by the employees in the workplace.

In addition, these regulations do not apply to any consumer products and food stuffs packaged for distribution (and intended for use by) the general public.

Contents of MSDSContents of MSDSSection 1- Chemical

Product and Company Identification

Section 2- Composition, Information or Hazardous Ingredients

Section 3- Hazard Identification (organized by routes of entry)

Section 4- First Aid Measures (organized by routes of entry)

Section 5- Fire and Explosion Hazard

Section 6- Accidental Release Measures

Section 7- Handling and Storage

Contents (cont)Contents (cont)

Section 8- Exposure Controls and PPE

Section 9- Physical & Chemical characteristics

Section 10- Reactivity Data

Section 11- Toxicological Information

Section 12- Ecological Information

Section 13- Disposal Considerations

Section 14- Transport Information

Section 15- Regulatory Information

Section 16- Other Information

Update of MSDSUpdate of MSDS

Any time a new product is purchased an MSDS sheet will be generated if not accompanied by the product.

New MSDS sheets will be kept updated by using a standard form—this is done annually in December.

Required information should be written on the form and forwarded to the Safety Officer and they will be responsible for updating all books.

Other Requirements of Other Requirements of ComplianceCompliance

Product labelsChemical InventoryWritten Program

Material Safety Data Sheets

Training

Product LabelsProduct Labels

Labels must be affixed to each chemical container in the workplace

Must contain name and address of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party

Labels must remain intact.

Labels must identify the container contents and warn the user of hazards that may exist while using the product

Labels must be legible, in English, and prominently displayed.

Chemical InventoryChemical Inventory

The list will serve as an inventory of everything for which an MSDS must be procured and maintained

Products name and manufacturer’s name are listed

A compiled list of chemicals are located at each base

Contained in the MSDS binder is also the written Hazard Communication Program

TrainingTrainingEach employee who may be “exposed” to

hazardous chemicals when working must be provided information and trained prior to initial assignment to work with a hazardous chemical

Training is to be done initially, annually, and whenever the hazard changes

Training must occur within 30 days of employment for new employees, full or part time

Must be documented with detailed records of training maintained by the company and available for review by supervision, compliance and training staff

Written ProgramWritten Program

All workplaces where employees are exposed to hazardous chemicals must have a written plan which describes how the standard will be implemented in that facility

The written program and all relative data is available upon request to employees and their designated representatives, if any; also to the North Carolina Commissioner of Labor

Written program will be located in MSDS book

Protecting YourselfProtecting Yourself

Always remember you are #1.

Protecting yourself is always your first priority

Keep your work area clean and orderly

Use the necessary safety equipment (i.e. gloves, gowns, goggles)

Carefully label every container with the identity of its contents and warnings.

Store incompatible chemicals in separate areas

Provide means of containing the material if containers should break or spill the contents

Obtain and read the MSDS sheets

Protective MeasuresProtective MeasuresBy now, you should have a better

understanding of the hazardous properties of chemicals, and how to recognize the hazards of the particular chemicals with which we work

Protective Measures (cont)Protective Measures (cont)Even though chemicals in the

workplace may be dangerous, there are methods available to ensure that the risk is minimized or eliminated

Personal Protective Equipment Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)(PPE)

Gloves: Protect your hands from chemical exposure

Goggles: Should be worn when there is a possibility of splashing chemicals in your eyes

Face shields: Protect your face as well as your eyes

Respirators: Needed if you have significant exposure to vapors, fumes or mists of a hazardous material

Gowns

Employee ResponsibilitiesEmployee Responsibilities

Know where to obtain info about Hazardous chemicals in your work area

Read and understand labels/MSDS sheets before you start working

Ask questions if you are not sureKeep work area cleanUse required PPE/clothingDO NOT eat, drink or smoke

around chemicals

Employee Responsibilities Employee Responsibilities (cont)(cont)

Practice good personal hygiene practices, e.g. wash hands before eating, drinking, or smoking

Learn emergency procedures for your area

Follow procedures for exposure, disposal and spill clean-up

Employer ResponsibilitiesEmployer Responsibilities

Take steps to reduce exposures by providing safer workplaces

Substitute less hazardous materials

Establish proper work practices

ConclusionConclusion

Information is the keyYour first line of defense in protecting yourself

against hazardous chemicals is knowledge of the chemical itself.

Make yourself aware of the chemicals around you and preventive measures that can be taken

How well you practice safe and healthful work habits will determine your safety and well-being

You should be able to go home as healthy as when you came to work.

Your job should not cause you your health

Any Questions About This Any Questions About This SectionSection

??If you are taking the online version of this If you are taking the online version of this

course, open the html document entitled “Haz-course, open the html document entitled “Haz-Com Quiz”, answer each question and click Com Quiz”, answer each question and click

“Submit”“Submit”