Occupational Safety and Health Course for Healthcare Professionals

Recognize the purpose of the hazard communication standard.

Describe the components of a hazard communication program.

Discuss the application of this standard in healthcare settings.

About 32 million workers work with and are potentially exposed to one or more chemical hazards.

There are approximately 650,000 existing chemical products, and hundreds of new ones being introduced annually.

Chemical exposure may cause or contribute to many serious health effects such as heart ailments, central nervous system damage, kidney and lung damage, sterility, cancer, burns, and rashes.

Some chemicals may also be safety hazards and have the potential to cause fires and explosions.

1. To make sure that the hazards of

chemicals are evaluated.

2. To assure that the information

concerning the hazards is

communicated to employers and

employees.

A hazardous chemical, as defined by the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), is any chemical which can cause a physical or a health hazard.

This determination is made by the chemical manufacturer, as described in 29 CFR 1910.1200(d).

OSHA’s Hazard Communication (HazCom) standard

applies to general industry, shipyard, marine

terminals, longshoring, and construction employment

and covers chemical manufacturers, importers,

employers, and employees exposed to chemical

hazards.

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The 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.

Employees need to know what protective measures are available to prevent adverse effects from occurring.

The HCS is designed to provide employees with the information they need.

MSDS

Employers are required to provide information to employees about the hazardous chemicals to which they are exposed using:

◦A hazard communication program◦ Labels and other forms of warnings◦Material safety data sheets (MSDS)◦ Information and education.

Standard Exemptions

• Any hazardous waste subject to regulations issued under that Act by the Environmental Protection Agency;

• Tobacco or tobacco products;• Wood or wood products, that the only hazard they pose to

employees is the potential for flammability or combustibility (wood treated with covered chemicals are not exempt);

• Drugs, cosmetics, consumer products, nuisance particulates that pose no hazard, radiation, and biological agents.

Employers must develop a written program that covers

at least:◦ Labels and other forms of warnings

◦Material Safety Data Sheets

◦Employee Information and Training

All workplaces where employees are

exposed to hazardous chemicals must

have a written plan.

The plan does not have to be lengthy

or complicated.

The written program must cover at least:◦A list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present at the

facility along with MSDS’s for each chemical.

◦ The methods the employer will use to inform employees

of the hazards non-routine tasks.

◦ The hazards of chemicals in unlabeled pipes.

The employer must make the written program available, upon request, to: ◦Employees and their designated representatives

If work is carried out at more than one location, the program may be kept at the main location.

The employer must ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked with the following:

◦ Identity of the hazardous chemical

◦Appropriate hazard warnings This above labeling information is required of the

manufacturer so the employer must ensure that the original labels from the manufacturer are on all containers and remain legible

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Must be in English and include information regarding the specific chemical identity and common names

Must provide information about the:◦Physical and chemical characteristics◦Health effects◦Exposure limits◦Carcinogenicity (cancer-causing)◦ Identification (name, address, and telephone number) of

the organization responsible for preparing the sheet Must be readily accessible to employees in their work area

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Physical hazards, such as fire and explosion Health hazards, such as signs of exposure Routes of exposure Precautions for safe handling and use Emergency and first-aid procedures Control measures

Prepared by the chemical manufacturer or importer and describe:

Manufacturers, importers, distributors and employers who become newly aware of significant information regarding chemical hazards shall:◦Revise the labels for the chemical within three

months.

◦Revise the MSDS for the chemical within three months.

One difference between this rule and many others

adopted by OSHA is that this one is performance-

oriented.

That means that you have the flexibility to adapt the rule

to the needs of your workplace, rather than having to

follow specific, rigid requirements.

Compile a complete list of the potentially hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

Determine if you have received material safety data sheets for all of them.

If any are missing, contact the supplier and request one.

Do not allow employees to use any chemicals for which you have not received an MSDS.

If employees of other employers could be exposed to

hazardous chemicals the program must include:

◦Methods to provide contractor employees with on-site

access to MSDS for each chemical those workers may be

exposed to.

◦The methods used to inform other employers of any

precautionary measures to be taken for normal and

emergency situations.

◦The employer’s chemical labeling system.

◦Examples in healthcare?

Employers must provide employees information

and education 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.

Education may cover categories of hazards.

Employers must inform employees:◦Of the training requirements of this section (1910.1200 (h)

Employee information and training.);

◦Any operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals are present;

◦ The location and availability of the written hazard communication program.

Employee education shall include at least:◦ The means to detect the presence or release of a hazardous

chemical in the work area;◦ The physical and health hazards of chemicals in the work area;◦Measures employees can take to protect themselves;◦PPE if appropriate;◦Details of the employers’ specific program.

If there are only a few chemicals in the workplace, then you may want to discuss each one individually.

Where there are large numbers of chemicals, or the chemicals change frequently, you will probably want to train generally based on the hazard categories (e.g., flammable liquids, corrosive materials, carcinogens).

Cleaning supplies/solutions Large volume liquids in storage Oxygen Nitrous oxide Acetone Paint, paint thinner Formaldehyde Others?

The rule does not require employers

to maintain records of employee

training, but many employers choose

to do so.

This can help in monitoring a Hazard

Communication program to ensure

that all employees are appropriately

trained.

Hazard Communication

Think safety, not just compliance!