HAZARD COMMUNICATION(HAZCOM)

Class Objectives

To learn:– the purpose of the HAZCOM Standard– the 4 major program components– the 12 required pieces of information on an

MSDS

HAZCOM Standard’s Purpose

Reduce occupational illness and injury resulting from chemical exposure(s) by:– informing employees of the identities and the

hazards of the chemicals they work with – training employees on the measures for

preventing chemical exposure(s)

References

29 CFR 1910.1200, Hazard Communication JCAHO CAMH/CAMAC Standards, EC

1.5, 2.1 and 2.6, Hazardous Materials and Wastes

DOD Hazard Communication Program, Change 1 dated May 6, 1996

History and Scope

Original final rule (1983)– Manufacturing industry only

Revised final rule (1987) – Expanded to include all industries, including

healthcare

Revised final rule (1994) – Clarifications and modifications to enhance

compliance.

Application

“any chemical which is known to be present in the workplace in such a manner that employees may be exposed under normal conditions of use or in a foreseeable emergency”

. . . . gases, liquids, and solids. . . . gases, liquids, and solids

Exemptions

Hazardous wastes Tobacco/tobacco

products Wood/wood products Articles Food or alcoholic

beverages

Drugs (e.g. pills) Cosmetics Consumer products Nuisance particulates Ionizing and

nonionizing radiation Biologicals

Limited Coverage

LaboratoriesRetail, warehousing, marine

cargo handling

Program Overview

Em ployers:Develop a w ritten program

Provide w orker trainingM ake inform ation available to w orkers

Ma nufa cturers/Im porters:Evaluate chem icals

Develop M SDSs/w arning labelsTransm it inform ation

Major Program Components

Written Program Warning labels Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) Information and training

Written Program

Written ProgramCompliance Tips Include a list of the hazardous chemicals

present in the workplace Describe procedures for

– warning labels, MSDSs, training & education– informing employees of non-routine tasks and

of chemicals in unlabeled pipes– sharing information with other employers

Make the program available to employees

Chemical InventoriesCompliance Tips Include all hazardous chemicals Compile for the workplace or for individual

work areas List by the chemical names (identities) used

on the MSDSs and warning labels

Warning Labels

Warning Labels

Chemicals regulated by the following acts do not require OSHA HAZCOM warning labels – Toxic Substances Control Act

– Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

– Virus-Serum-Toxin Act

– Federal Alcohol Administration Act

– Consumer Product Safety Act

– Federal Seed Act

Warning Labels

Original container– identity– hazard warnings– name and address of the manufacturer

Portable transfer containers (multiple users/work shifts)– identity– hazard warnings

Warning LabelsCompliance Tips Ensure each container is properly labeled Verify that the label is legible and in

English Permissible to supplement with other

languages and labeling systems

Material Safety Data Sheets

Material Safety Data Sheets

Manufacturer’s responsibilities:– Review scientific evidence – Develop MSDSs– Send with initial shipments, after each update,

and upon request– Update when new information becomes

available

Material Safety Data Sheets

Employers responsibilities:– Maintain an MSDS for each hazardous

chemical in the workplace– Train workers to read MSDS information– Ensure MSDSs are readily accessible to

workers

General

No specific format Must include 12 categories of information

to be considered complete

Material Safety Data Sheets

– Identity– name, address, and

telephone number of the manufacturer

– date MSDS was prepared

– hazardous components & exposure limits

– physical and chemical characteristics

– physical hazards

– health hazards

– precautions for safe handling and use

– control measures

– emergency and first-aid procedures

– primary route(s) of exposure

– listed as a known or suspected carcinogen

Chemical Identification &Manufacturer’s Information Product identity

– Chemical brand or trade name, chemical name, or common name

Manufacturer’s information– name, address, telephone number, and

emergency telephone number

Date MSDS was prepared or updated

Hazardous Components or Ingredients & Exposure Limits Identity of hazardous ingredients (>1% of

the mixture) Identity of carcinogenic ingredients (>0.1%

of the mixture) OSHA Permissible exposure levels (PELs) ACGIH Threshold Limit Values (TLVs)

Physical & Chemical Characteristics Boiling point Vapor pressure Vapor density Solubility in water pH

Specific gravity Melting point Evaporation rate Appearance and

odor

Physical Hazards:Fire and Explosion Data Flash point Upper and lower

flammable limits– (UFL or UEL)

– (LFL or LEL)

Ignition temperature Auto ignition

temperature

Extinguishing media Special fire fighting

procedures Unusual fire and

explosion hazards Fire fighting

equipment & methods NFPA 704 Hazard

Rating

Physical Hazards: Reactivity Data

Stability– Unstable

– Stable

– Conditions to avoid

Hazardous decomposition or byproducts

Hazardous polymerization– May occur

– Will not occur

– Conditions to avoid

Incompatibility– Materials to avoid

Routes of Entry, Carcinogenic Data & Emergency Information Routes of entry

– Inhalation

– Skin/eyes

– Ingestion

Health effects– Acute

– Chronic

Emergency and first aid procedures

Carcinogenic– NTP

– IARC

– OSHA

Signs and symptoms of exposure

Medical conditions aggravated by exposure

Precautions for Safe Handling and Use Spill response Waste disposal

Handling and storage Other precautions

Control Measures

Personal protective equipment (PPE)– Respirators, gloves, eye protection, other

Ventilation– Local exhaust, general, other

Work/hygienic practices

Material Safety Data SheetsCompliance Tips Verify that an MSDS is available for each

hazardous chemical Verify MSDSs are in English and complete Keep MSDSs in a readily accessible location Permissible to obtain/maintain MSDSs

written in other languages and use electronic MSDSs

Information & Training

Information

Overview of the OSHA HAZCOM standard Operations where hazardous chemicals are

present Location and availability of the

organization’s written HAZCOM program

Training

Detection of hazardous chemical release(s) Physical and health hazards of the

chemicals in the work area Measures for preventing exposure(s) Details of the organization’s HAZCOM

program

Information & TrainingCompliance Tips Provide organization-wide and work area-

specific education & training Ensure employees can describe or

demonstrate:– safe work practices– emergency procedures– health and physical hazards– spill reporting procedures

Spill Response

Spill Response

Determined by: Chemical and physical properties Work area location & physical hazards Size of the spill Availability of spill kits or equipment and

appropriate personal protective equipment Worker training

Spill ResponseCompliance Tips Emphasize importance of spill prevention Train employees in spill reporting and

response procedures Provide spill kits or equipment and PPE

when employees must clean up spills Investigate spill incidents and take

corrective action(s) to prevent reoccurrence

Questions?

Review

Purpose of the HAZCOM Standard 4 major program components 12 required pieces of information on an

MSDS