OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

EMPLOYEE HAZARD COMMUNICATION STANDARD
Written by
Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety
Revised November 1999

INTRODUCTION

The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is found in 29 CFR 1910.1200 as published in the Federal Register on November 25, 1983 (48 CFR 53280). The HCS requires that the chemical manufacturer, the importer, and the distributor provide information on the products containing hazardous chemicals. Employers are responsible for protecting their employees from chemical hazards present in the workplace along with those brought on site by contractors. The transmittal of this information is accomplished through a Comprehensive Hazard Communication Program.

SCOPE

Youngstown State University must provide pertinent information to its employees regarding hazardous chemicals to which they may be exposed. This applies to all chemicals which an employee would be exposed to under normal workplace conditions or in a foreseen emergency. All laboratory and shop personnel come under this definition. Information will be provided on labeling and other forms of warning, the use of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) and training in the use of hazardous materials. Pesticides, food, beverages, consumer products, drugs, cosmetics intended for personal consumption, and hazardous waste are exempted from this plan.1

1 These items are regulated by agencies other than the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

POLICY STATEMENT

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) Hazard Communication Standard, Youngstown State University will inform its employees of the following:

EXPLANATION OF A HAZARDOUS MATERIAL

A hazardous material is any chemical which meets any of the following definitions:

These characterizations will be provided by the manufacturer on the labels of all incoming chemicals.

CHEMICAL TERMS

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 

A

                                                                C

                                                            D

                                                       F     

                                                           H

                                                                I

                                                            L

                                                                O

                                                                    P

                                                                R

                                                                S

                                                            T

                                                                U

                                                                V

 

LIST OF AREAS ON CAMPUS WHICH CONTAIN CHEMICALS

Chemistry

Biology

Chemical Engineering

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Materials Engineering

Geology

Physical Plant

Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety

Art

Media Center

Jambar

Print Shop

Janitorial Services

Grounds

It is understood that the above mentioned areas on campus are not the only users of chemicals. At any point in time any campus office or shop may possess chemicals which fall under the scope of this manual. Any employee having questions pertaining to chemical usage in their job position should contact the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety.

HAZARD DETERMINATION

The University is not required to evaluate chemicals unless it chooses not to rely on the evaluation performed by the chemical manufacturer. The chemicals from the following sources are to be considered hazardous.

A list of these chemicals can be provided by the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety.

 

COMPONENTS OF THE HAZARD COMMUNICATION PROGRAM


The University's Hazard Communication Program will consist of the following:

4. Labeling policy and descriptions of various labels.

5 An explanation and description of Material Safety Data Sheets.

LIST OF CHEMICALS ON CAMPUS

A list of chemicals present on campus can be found by accessing the Chemical Management Center's chemical inventory program. Information on how to access the program can be found on the department web page at http://cc.ysu.edu/eohs/.

INFORMING UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES

 

INFORMING CONTRACTORS OF POSSIBLE HAZARDS

Contractors are instructed at job meetings to inform EOHS of any hazardous materials they will be using. They can obtain information regarding hazardous materials they may encounter around the area in which they are working by contacting EOHS. Contractors are also required to fill out a Contractor Work Information form (Appendix A). Also a Cutting, Welding and Hot Work Permit form (Appendix B) is to be filled out if such work in to be done by the contractor. The forms can be obtained from the Facilities Department or EOHS.

LABELING

The manufactures of chemicals are required to properly label and identify their products. All chemicals being received onto the campus are checked to ensure that all original labels are correct and readable. If the label has been torn during shipment a new label will be affixed to the bottle or the bottle will be rejected and sent back to the supplier. Each time a chemical is transferred from its original container, the new container must be labeled with the following information:

Chemicals that are transferred to other containers (ex; beaker or flask) which are going to be used by the employee during their current work shift do not need to be labeled with this information.

 

EXPLANATION AND DESCRIPTION OF MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a technical document which summarizes relevant information about a chemical.

Material Safety Data Sheets consist of the following categories. These are the basic sections of a MSDS. The sections may not occur in this order, but this information should be on all MSDSs. Additional information may be provided by some manufactures such as Special Precautions, or Storage and Handling of a particular product. Whether these extra sections are included or not, the basic MSDS should contain all the pertinent information needed by the worker to safely and effectively complete his/her job duties. If the pertinent information cannot be located on the MSDS the supervisor or EOHS should be contacted before beginning the task.

EOHS maintains a current and updated master file of all Material Safety Data Sheets. MSDSs can also be obtained by accessing the Chemical Management Center's chemical inventory or through internet sites. Requests for MSDSs should be made to EOHS or the Chemical Management Center.

SECTIONS OF A MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

Chemical Identity: This section contains the chemical and common name as well as the manufacturer's name, address, and telephone number. This section usually also contains emergency numbers in case of a spill, fire, or exposure to the chemical.

Hazardous Ingredients: This section consists of the hazardous ingredients of the product and the quantities.

Physical and Chemical

Characteristics: This section gives the physical and chemical hazards that are associated with the chemical. Examples of physical hazards would be flammability, flashpoint, vapor pressure, etc.

Fire and Explosion

Hazard Data: This section tells whether the chemical is a fire or explosive hazard and at what temperature this chemical will burn or explode. It also gives recommended extinguishing agents and fire-fighting methods.

Reactivity: This section gives the hazards of reactivity. It tells which other chemicals the chemical will react with and what kind of reactions will occur.

Health Hazards: This section consists of the hazards which may occur to a user's health or well being. It tells whether the chemical has caused cancer in laboratory animals or if the chemical will affect the vital organs.

Proper Handling of

Spills and Disposal: This section gives proper spill measures as well as the correct disposal procedures necessary in case of a spill. This section will also include recommended procedures for the safe handling of the product.

Special Protection: This section tells of the necessary personal protective equipment necessary to safely handle the chemical. It gives the proper respiratory protection needed, as well as whether gloves and other protective measures are necessary.

 

EMPLOYEE TRAINING AND INFORMATION

SCOPE

The University will train and give information to employees on hazardous chemicals in their work area prior to initial assignment and each time a new hazard is introduced into their work site. The University will provide the following:

The training of employees will include at least the following:

EMPLOYEE TRAINING MODULE

Many current employees and newly hired employees are not aware of the Hazard Communication Standard and their right to know the types of hazards present on their job site. Training helps to reinforce the aspect of personal safety and health. Training of employees will be accomplished through a Training Module (Appendix C) as well as instructional videos provided by the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. The Training Module is also located on EOHS's website. 

OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING MODULE

After completion of the training module the employee will be able to:

PROTECTION AGAINST EXPOSURE

Employees can protect themselves from the hazards of chemical materials in a variety of manners. The following is a list of ways employees can protect themselves:

RESPONSIBILITIES OF EMPLOYEES

Hazard Communication depends on both the employer and the employees. Employees need to act responsibly by avoiding incidents and accidents. This can be accomplished by doing the following:

If you notice or know of unsafe situations, notify your supervisor and EOHS.

APPENDIX A:  Contractor Work Information Form

APPENDIX B:  Cutting, Welding, and Hot Work Permit Form

APPENDIX C:  Hazard Communication Training Module

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