The Eyes Have It

OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard Goal is to protect workers from hazardous chemicals.

First came out in 1983. Originally as the Employee Right to Know Now known as “Employee Right to Understand”

Global Harmonization Affects Labeling of Chemicals. Expected to prevent 585 injuries and illnesses every year.

Compliance DatesEffective Completion Date Requirement(s) Who

December 1, 2013 Train employees on the new label elements and safety data sheet (SDS)

format.

Employers

June 1, 2015*December 1, 2015

Compliance with all modified provisions of this final rule, except:

The Distributor shall not ship containers labeled

by the chemical manufacturer or importer

unless it is a GHS label

Chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors

and employers

June 1, 2016 Update alternative workplace labeling and hazard communication program as necessary, and provide additional employee training for

newly identified physical or health hazards.

Employers

Transition Period to the effective completion dates noted above

May comply with either 29 CFR 1910.1200 (the final standard), or the

current standard, or both

Chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors,

and employers

Three major changes Hazard classification Labels Safety Data Sheets

Health Hazard Acute Toxicity Skin Corrosion/Irritation Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation Respiratory or Skin Sensitization Germ Cell Mutagenicity Carcinogenicity Reproductive Toxicology Target Organ Systemic Toxicity - Single Exposure Target Organ Systemic Toxicity - Repeated Exposure Aspiration Toxicity

GHS Label Elements Symbols (hazard pictogram): Convey health, physical

and environmental hazard information, assigned to a GHS hazard class and category

Signal Words: “Danger” Or “Warning” are used to emphasize hazards and indicate the relative level of severity of the hazard, assigned to the GHS hazard class and category

Hazard Statements: Standard phrases assigned to the hazard class and category.

Signal Words “Danger” for the more severe hazards and “Warning” for the less severe hazards

Order of label 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, including date of preparation or last revision

http://www.osha.gov/Publications/HazComm_QuickCard_Pictogram.html�

http://www.osha.gov/Publications/HazComm_QuickCard_Labels.html�

From OSHA Website ". . . two gallons of the chemical xylene spilled in the lab of my hospital. By the

time an employee had noticed the spill, the ventilation had already sucked most of the vapors into the HVAC. This, in turn, became suspended in the ceiling tile over our radiology department. Twelve employees were sent to the emergency room. To make the matter worse, the lab employee was frantically searching through the binder in her area for [the SDS for] xylene. Once she found it, she had difficulty locating the spill response section. After notifying our engineering department, she began to clean up the spill with solid waste rags, known for spontaneous combustion, and placing the rags into a clear plastic bag for disposal. She did not know that xylene has a flash point of 75 degrees Fahrenheit. She then walked the bag down to our incinerator room and left it there, basically creating a live bomb. Twelve people were treated from this exposure. The lab employee was very upset and concerned about the safety of the affected employees and visitors, and hysterically kept stating that she could not find the necessary spill response information."

Labels OSHA's harmonized standard will ensure that workers

have access not only to labels and safety data sheets, but also to information that is easier to find and understand through the use of standardized formats and label elements: signal words, pictograms, hazard statements, and precautionary statements. As one participant expressed during OSHA's rulemaking process, this update will give workers the right to understand, as well as the right to know.

Eyewash Stations

Where to Locate? “Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed

to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use.”

Corrosive Materials? Materials with a ph of 0 to ≤2,

or ≥11 to 14 will at least cause very significant eye irritation and may cause permanent damage or blindness. Alkaline solutions tend to be

more damaging to eyes and skin then acidic solutions

For skin, a pH ≤ 1 or ≥ 12 is considered hazardous.

Strength and concentration may be a significant factor in determining if it is a hazard.

MSDS Review Gluteraldehyde (Cidex):

pH 3.2-4.3 unactivated and 7.5-8.5 activated Contact with eyes causes damage Wash skin with soap and water Flush eyes with water for 15 minutes, if irritation persists

seek medical attention. May go into sanitary sewer with lots of water

MSDS Review Ortho-Phthalaldehyde

(Cidex OPA): pH7.2-7.8 Use in well ventilated area

minimum of 10 air exchanges

Rinse immediately with plenty of water for 15 minutes and seek medical attention

Stains tissue Needs to be neutralized

before disposing of solution.

MSDS Review Formalin, 10% solutions:

Danger maybe fatal if swallowed, harmful if inhaled or absorbed through skin, causes irritation to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, strong sensitizer may cause blindness, combustible liquid and vapor

Skin contact: immediately flush with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing.

Eye contact: immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally. Get medical attention immediately.

Ventilate area of leak or spill. Remove all sources of ignition. Do not flush in sewer. Send to RCRA facility. Report spills of and releases to soil, water and air in excess quantities to government

MSDS Review p-Xylene

Very hazardous in case of skin contact, of eye contact. Eye contact: check for and remove contact lenses. Do not use

an eye ointment. Seek medical attention. Skin contact: was immediately with plenty of water. Use

nonabrasive soap, clean folds, crevices, creases and groin Highly flammable, risks of explosion, use dry chemical

powder for small fire Provide exhaust ventilation Vapor respirator, full suit, splash goggles should be used in

event of large spill. Absorb spill with dry earth, sand, or other non combustible material. Do not get water inside container. Prevent entry into sewers, basements, or confined areas; dike if needed. Call for assistance with disposal.

MSDS Review 3M HB Quat Disinfectant Cleaner Concentrate

pH 10-14 Corrosive to eye and skin Eye contact: immediately flush eyes with large amounts of

water for at least 15 minutes. Get immediate medical attention. Note used as directed, diluted and dispense with a twist n fill system

eye contact with the concentrate is not expected to occur. Skin contact: remove contaminated clothing and shoes.

Immediately flush with large amounts of water for 15 minutes. Note when using twist and fill skin contact not expected.

Avoid breathing vapors, mists or spray. When used as directed and diluted and dispensed with a Twist and Fill respiratory protection is not required.

MSDS Review Dispatch

pH 12.2 Eye contact: hold eye open and rinse slowly and gently with water

for 15-20 minutes. Remove contact lenses if present, after the first 5 minutes then continue to rinse eyes. Call poison control or physician for further treatment advise.

Skin contact: wash with soap and water, no further first aid should be required.

Supportive care if inhaled based off reaction of patient. Wear SCBA when fighting fires involving this product. Good ventilation, respiratory protection not needed, gloves

recommended. Use safety glasses with protective side shields to avoid eye contact.

Spills should be diluted with water, then absorbed with sand, clay or earth.

Requirements Complete risk

assessment Determine risk of

exposure If the material is

hazardous and capable of contacting eyes, quantity is not a consideration.

Determinations of exposure should be made without regard to personal protective equipment such as goggles, face shields, gloves or aprons.

Eyewash Requirements In compliance with ANSI Z 358.1-2009 Should be located as close to the hazard as possible,

no further than 10 second travel time (55 feet), Shall be located on the same level as the hazard and the

path of travel is free of obstructions that may inhibit immediate use,

If highly corrosive (pH ≤1) or bases (pH≥12) unit to be immediately adjacent to the hazard

Flushing temperature for eye wash and showers should be tepid (60 to 100⁰ F)

Eyewash Requirements Plumbed eyewashes and showers should be flushed

weekly Flushing for a period long enough to verify operation

and ensure that flushing fluid is available The goal is to flush out stagnant water in the dead leg

completely.

Have regular maintenance

Eyewash Heads

Positioned 33”-45” from floor Positioned 6” from wall or nearest obstruction 0.4 gallons per minute (GPM) for 15 minutes for

plumbed units shall provide flushing fluid at 30 PSI 0.4 gallons per minutes (GPM) for 15 minutes for gravity

feed units Valves

Activate in 1 second or less Stay open valve (leaving hands free)

Eyewash Continued Installation

Eyewash equipment shall be located in an area that requires no more than 10 seconds to reach

The location of the eye wash shall be in a well-lit area and identified with a sign.

Eyewash equipment shall be on the same level as the hazard. Maintenance and Training

Plumbed shall be activated weekly to verify proper operation Gravity feed units shall be maintained according to manufacturer

directions All employees who might be exposed to chemical splash shall be

trained in the use of the equipment. All eyewash equipment shall be inspected annually to make sure

they follow ANSI Z358.1 requirements.

Showers Heads

Positioned 82” to 96” from floor Spray pattern will be a minimum diameter of 20” to 60” above

the floor Flow rate = 20 gallons per minute (GPM at 30 pounds per

square inch The center of the spray pattern shall be at least 16 inches from

any obstruction Valves

Activate in 1 second or less Stay open valve (no use of hands) Valve remains on until the user shuts it off

Showers Continued Installation

Shower shall be located in an area that requires no more than 10 seconds to reach

Shower location shall be in a well-lit area and identified with a sign

Shower shall be located on the same level as the hazard Maintenance and Training

Plumbed showers shall be activated weekly to verify correct operation for a period long enough to verify operation and ensure that flushing fluid is available.

All employees who might be exposed to a chemical splash shall be trained in the use of the equipment

All showers shall be inspected annually to make sure they meet ANSI Z358.1 requirements.

Myths Eyewash flushing bottle counts as an OSHA compliant

eyewash-False There are no specific guideline for temperature-False All gravity fed that meet the 0.4 gpm flow rate are

ANSI compliant-False Personal eye wash bottles have an indefinite shelf life

as long as seal is not broken-False Emergency eye wash and emergency eye/face wash are

the same thing-False

Questions

http://www.osha.gov/as/opa/quicktakes/qtGHS03212012.html

http://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/ghs-final-rule.html