Hazard Communication

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The basic goal of a Hazard Communication Program is to be sure employers and employees know about work hazards and how to protect themselves; this should help reduce the incidence of chemical source illness and injuries.

Objectives

Fact Sheet No. OSHA 93-26

Objectives

At the end of this program, participants will be able to…

•Recognize the benefits and requirements of communicating hazards effectively•Identify hazardous chemicals in the workplace•Prepare and implement a hazard communication program•Understand the importance of MSDS documents•Identify appropriate PPE for each situation

Hazard Communication

Preparing and implementing a Hazard Communication Program

• Labels and Other Forms of Warning

• Material Safety Data Sheets

• Employee Information and Training

Introduction

• OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is based on a simple concept—that employees have both a need and a right to know the hazards and identities of the chemicals they are exposed to when working.

• They also need to know what protective measures are available to prevent adverse effects from occurring. OSHA designed the HCS to provide employees with the information they need to know.

The Rule

• The HCS requires information to be prepared and transmitted regarding all hazardous chemicals.

• The HCS covers both physical hazards (such as flammability) and health hazards (such as irritation, lung damage, and cancer).

• Most chemicals used in the workplace have some hazard potential, and thus will be covered by the rule.

The Rule

• Chemical manufacturers and importers must evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import.

• Using that information, they must then prepare labels for containers and more detailed technical bulletins called material safety data sheets (MSDSs).

Benefits / Requirements

• The HCS covers both physical hazards (such as flammability or the potential for explosions), and health hazards (including both acute and chronic effects).

• By making information available to employers and employees about hazards, recommended precautions for safe use, and proper implementation of the HCS will result in a reduction of illnesses and injuries caused by chemicals.

Benefits / Requirements

Employers will have the information they need to design an appropriate protective program.

Employees will be better able to participate in these programs effectively when they understand the hazards involved, and to take steps to protect themselves. Together, these employer and employee actions will prevent the occurrence of adverse effects caused by the use of chemicals in the workplace.

Identifying Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace

• The standard requires a list of hazardous chemicals in the workplace as part of the written hazard communication program. The list will eventually serve as an inventory of everything for which you must maintain an MSDS.

• The HCS covers chemicals in all physical forms—liquids, solids, gases, vapors, fumes, and mists—whether they are “contained” or not. The hazardous nature of the chemical and the potential for exposure are the factors that determine whether a chemical is covered. If it’s not hazardous, it’s not covered.

Identifying Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace

• Once you have compiled as complete a list as possible of the potentially hazardous chemicals in the workplace, the next step is to determine if you have received material safety data sheets for all of them.

• Check your files against the inventory you have just compiled. If any are missing, contact your supplier and request one.

Identifying Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace

• Note: You should not allow employees to use any chemicals for which you have not received an MSDS. The MSDS provides information you need to ensure you have implemented proper protective measures for exposure.

Preparing and Implementing a Hazard Communication Program

• The plan does not have to be lengthy or complicated. It is intended to be a blueprint for implementing your program—an assurance that all aspects of the requirements have been addressed.

• The written plan must list the chemicals present at the site and indicate where written materials will be made available to employees. It also may indicate who is responsible for the various aspects of the program in your facility.

Preparing and Implementing a Hazard Communication Program

• The written program must describe how the requirements for labels and other forms of warning, materials safety data sheets, and employee information and training, are going to be met in your facility.

Labels and Other Forms of Warning

• In-plant containers of hazardous chemicals must be labeled, tagged, or marked with the identity of the material and appropriate hazard warnings.

• The primary information to be obtained from an OSHA-required label is the identity for the material and appropriate hazard warnings.

Labels and Other Forms of Warning

• Employers that are purchasing and using hazardous chemicals—rather than producing or distributing them—will primarily be concerned with ensuring that every purchased container is labeled.

Note: If materials are transferred into other containers, the employer must ensure that these are labeled as well.

Labels and Other Forms of Warning - Examples

HAZARDOUS MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION GUIDE

Example Label

Material Safety Data Sheets

• Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to obtain or develop a material safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical they produce or import.

• Distributors are responsible for ensuring that their customers are provided a copy of these MSDSs.

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

Material Safety Data Sheets

• Under the rule, the role of MSDSs is to provide detailed information on each hazardous chemical, including its potential hazardous effects, its physical and chemical characteristics, and recommendations for appropriate protective measures.

• MSDSs must be readily accessible to employees when they are in their work areas during their work shifts.

Material Safety Data Sheet

Employee Information & Training

• Each employee who may be “exposed” to hazardous chemicals when working must be provided information and be trained prior to initial assignment to work with a hazardous chemical, and whenever the hazard changes.

• Information and training are a critical part of the hazard communication program. Workers obtain information regarding hazards and protective measures through written labels and material safety data sheets.

Employee Information & Training

• A properly conducted training program will ensure comprehension and understanding. It is not sufficient to either just read material to the workers or simply hand them material to read.

• In general, the most important aspects of training under the HCS are to ensure that employees are aware that they are exposed to hazardous chemicals, that they know how to read and use labels and material safety data sheets, and that, as a consequence of learning this information, they are following the appropriate protective measures established by the employer.

Compliance officers will be asking the following questions in assessing the adequacy of your program:

•Does a list of the hazardous chemicals exist in each work area or at a central location?•Are methods to inform employees of the hazards of non-routine tasks outlined?•Are employees informed of the hazards associated with chemicals contained in unlabeled pipes in their work areas?

Assessing the adequacy of yourprogram: (continued)

• On multi-employer worksites, has the employer provided other employers with information about labeling systems and precautionary measures where the other employers have employees exposed to the initial employer’s chemicals?

• Is the written program made available to employees and their designated representatives?

Check List

Obtained a copy of the rule. Read and understood the requirements. Assigned responsibility for tasks. Prepared an inventory of chemicals. Ensured containers are labeled. Obtained MSDS for each chemical. Prepared written program. Made MSDSs available to workers. Conducted training of workers. Established procedures to maintain current program. Established procedures to evaluate effectiveness.

Personal Protective Equipment

Face Shields

Is this what it will come down to?

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SPSmedical Supply Corp.

Sterilization Products & Services6789 W. Henrietta RoadRush, NY 14543 USAFax: (585) 359-0167Ph: (800) 722-1529

Website: www.spsmedical.com

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Hazard Communication

Purchasing AAMI Standards

If your organization is not a member of AAMI, you may purchase the Standards directly from SPSmedical at our member discount. The member discount saves you 40-50% depending on the document.

For example:

ORDER CODE: AAMI ST:79List Price: $220 Member Price: $110

References & Resources

Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation 1110 North Glebe Road, Suite 220, Arlington, VA 22201-4795703-525-4890 Fax: 703-276-0793 www.aami.org

Association of periOperative Registered Nurses 2170 South Parker Road, Suite 300 Denver, CO 80231-5711800-755-2676 www.aorn.org

Canadian Standards Association5060 Spectrum Way Mississauga, Ontario L4W 5N6 CANADA800-463-6727 Fax: (416) 747-2510 www.csa.ca

Certification Board for Sterile Processing & Distribution2 Industrial Park, Suite 3 Alpha, NJ 08865 908-454-9555 www.sterileprocessing.org

International Assoc. of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management 213 W. Institute Place, Suite 307 Chicago, IL 60610312-440-0078 Fax: 312-440-9474 www.iahcsmm.org