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Hazard Communication ProgramPolicyAll employees have both a need and right to know the hazards and identities of the chemicals they are exposed to when working as identified in the Hazard Communication Program. Back to top ScopeThe Hazard Communication Program establishes requirements for informing University employees who work with or are exposed to hazardous chemicals and the physical and health hazards posed by those materials. This applies to 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. Back to top ExceptionThe Hazard Communication Program applies to laboratories only as follows:
For additional exceptions to this policy, please refer to Hazard Communication Product Exemption. Back to top Authority and ResponsibilityEnvironmental Health and Safety has the primary responsibility and authority for the implementation and enforcement of the Hazard Communication Program and is responsible for:
Departments are responsible for:
Employees are responsible for:
Back to top Information and TrainingEmployees shall receive information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, whenever a new physical or health hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area and every three years. Information and training may be designed to cover categories of hazards (e.g., flammability, carcinogenicity) or specific chemicals. Chemical specific information shall always be available through labels and SDS. Environmental Health and Safety shall provide all general hazard communication training. This general training program shall provide an introduction to the following:
Department specific training shall be conducted upon employment, and whenever a new hazard (e.g., new class of chemical hazards, a change in assignment or a new process which may be hazardous) is introduced into an employee’s work area. Department specific hazard communication training shall include information on:
Back to top Safety Data Sheets (SDS)SDS are the primary source of information intended to outline the special precautions and controls necessary for handling specific hazardous chemicals and responding to emergency situations. SDS’s are typically provided by the chemical manufacturer or chemical supplier and are required to be presented in a consistent 16-section format; The Safety Data Sheet sections are as follows:
Back to top Obtaining SDSSDS are readily available upon request 24 hours a day and at Safety Data Sheets. Back to top LabelingTo ensure that appropriate information concerning the hazards of a chemical are accessible to employees, all containers of hazardous chemicals shall be labeled. Labels shall be legible, in English (additional languages may be included as necessary), and prominently displayed on the container. Chemical manufacturers, importers, and distributors shall ensure that every container of hazardous chemicals entering the workplace is appropriately labeled with the identity of the hazardous chemical(s) (common and/or chemical name), appropriate hazard warnings; and the name and address of the chemical manufacturer, importer or other responsible party. If a chemical label in the workplace becomes damaged, illegible, or is inadvertently removed from a container, it shall be replaced immediately by the supervisor or designee. Replacement labels shall include, at a minimum, the identity of the hazardous chemical(s) common and/or chemical name, appropriate hazard warnings or alternatively, words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof, which provide at least the general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals. Chemicals which are transferred from the original container into a secondary container shall be identified by a label on the secondary container. It is not necessary to label the secondary container if it is used immediately by the employee who performs the transfer. Non-hazardous substances (e.g., distilled water) should be labeled in order to avoid confusion. The labels can be purchased from the Fisher stockrooms located in:
The following colors are used to represent the hazards on the NFPA label:
Each diamond except the white one has a number between 0 (least hazard) and 4 (worst hazard). The white diamond has a symbol to indicate reactivity with water, oxidation, polymerization, radiation, extinguishing agent, or required protective equipment. Back to top Shipping Hazardous MaterialsAny employee offering or accepting international, interstate, or intrastate transportation of hazardous materials shall be in accordance with the Hazardous Materials Transportation Program. Back to top Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of ChemicalsThe Occupational Health and Safety Administration has adopted the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. The hazard classification differences between GHS and NFPA include:
HMIS/NFPA Hazard Ratings
GHS Hazard Categories
Labeling Requirements
There are nine pictograms the GHS uses to convey health, physical, and environmental hazards. They are required to be on a white background, framed by a red border. The pictograms are made up of the following:
Back to top Guidance DocumentsHazard Communication Policy Guidance Document Reviewed: January 2021 Back to top Which component is required for a hazard communication program?The program must include labels on containers of hazardous chemicals, safety data sheets (SDSs) for hazardous chemicals, and training for workers. Each employer must also describe in a written program how it will meet the requirements of the HCS in each of these areas.
What are the requirements of the Hazard Communication Rule?Employers are required to ensure containers of hazardous chemicals used by employees in the workplace are properly labeled, tagged, or marked, or depending on the circumstance, use other forms of warning to clearly and quickly communicate the identity and hazard(s) of chemicals in the workplace.
Is an organization's hazard communication program required to have a written plan?All workplaces where workers are exposed to hazardous chemicals must have a written hazard communication program that describes how the HazCom standard is implemented in that facility.
What does the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard require?The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), 29 CFR 1910.1200 (h), requires all employers to provide information and training to their employees about the hazardous chemicals to which they may be exposed at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard is introduced into their work area.
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