OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)HAZARD COMMUNICATIONSMore about OSHA than you ever wanted to know!

OSHA TrainingIn 1983, the federal government established the OSHA hazard communication standard. This standard is designed to protect employees who use hazardous materials on the job.

The Hazard Communication Standard states that companies which produce or use hazardous materials must provide their employees with information and training on the proper handling and use of these materials.

OSHAYou, as an employee, have a right to know about the hazardous materials used in your work area and the potential effects of these materials upon your health and safety.

Hazardous Materials - Any substance which has been determined to be either a health hazard or a physical hazard.

Theoretically, anything that is not in tablet form is hazardous.

Practically speaking, OSHA has stated that any material that is used in the same manner as it would commonly be used around the household is not considered hazardous.

Terrorist threats not officially OSHA concern OSHA has released guidelines, and has released risk categories for facilities based on usage, purpose, etc. IUSO is rated under the green zone; an unlikely terrorist target.

Where to Find the Information You Need

Your most immediate source for information can be found on labels attached to containers which hold various hazardous materials.

Your second source of information is Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). Material Safety Data Sheets will be discussed in the next section.

OSHA requires that the following information be included on ALL labels:The product name

A warning statement, message or symbol

On commercial labels, manufacturers of hazardous materials must include their name and address. Many manufacturers also include a statement describing safe handling procedures.

Hazard LabelEach colored bar or small diamond represents a different class of hazard. The hazard classes found on labels include Health, Flammability, Reactivity, and in some cases, Special Hazards

Each hazard class uses a different color and a rating scale from 0 - 4.

Health HazardsThe first hazard class is Health Hazards. This hazard class is colored BLUE.

The rating scale for Health Hazards is listed below:

0 - No Hazard

1 - Slight Hazard

2 - Dangerous

3 - Extreme Danger

4 - Deadly

Flammability HazardsThe second hazard class is Flammability Hazards. This hazard class is colored RED.

The rating scale for flammability hazards is based on the flash point of the material. The flash point is the temperature at which the material gives off enough vapors to sustain ignition.

Flammability Classes0 - Will Not Burn

1 - Ignites Above 200 Degrees Fahrenheit

2 - Ignites Below 200 Degrees Fahrenheit

3 - Ignites Below 100 Degrees Fahrenheit

4 - Ignites Below 73 Degrees Fahrenheit

Reactive MaterialThe third hazard class is for reactive material. This hazard class is colored YELLOW.

The rating scale for Reactivity is listed below: 0 Stable1 - Normally Stable2 Unstable3 Explosive4 - May Detonate

Special HazardsThe fourth hazard class is called Special Hazards. This hazard class is colored WHITE.

These special hazards are represented by the following symbols: W Water Reactive

OX - Oxidizer

- Radioactive

COR - Corrosive

ACD - Acid

ALK Alkali

MSDS (Material Data Safety sheets)A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provides detailed information about a specific hazardous material. An MSDS contains the following Information: Identity (name of substance) Physical Hazards (target organ)

Health Hazards Routes of Body Entry

Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) Carcinogenic Factors

Safe-Handling Procedures Data of Sheet Preparation

Control Measures Emergency First Aid Procedures (personal protective equipment) (emergency telephone number)

Contact Information Special Instructions (for the manufacturer)

Where to find msds informationAll the computers in the Health Center will have a link to MSDS information on the bottom right corner of the monitor.

MSDSMaterial Safety Data Sheets are available for ALL of the hazardous materials present in the work area.

When Do You Use an MSDS?You should use an MSDS whenever you need additional information about a hazardous material that is not included on the product label.

For example, you have spilled nitric acid on the floor, and you need to know how to clean it up safely. You need only refer to the "Safe-Handling Procedures" section of the nitric acid MSDS.

MSDS Be PreparedSome chemicals, such as sodium hydroxide, are very dangerous. If you have an accident, you may not have time to look up the information you need in an MSDS.

You should read the MSDS for the hazardous materials present in your work area before you work with them.

How to Find an MSDSLocated on the bottom right corner of the desk top on all Health Center computers.

Take time to read the MSDS which describe the hazardous materials present in your work area.

Remember, knowing where MSDS are located and how to use them is your responsibility; it is part of your job.

Physical HazardsPhysical Hazards are one of two major classes of hazardous materials covered by the OSHA Communication Standard.

Physical hazards are those substances which threaten your physical safety. The most common types of physical hazards are:FireExplosionChemical Reactivity

Materials using the Fire symbolFlammables can be gases, liquids or solids. Flammables ignite easily and burn rapidly. Liquid flammables have a flashpoint under 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Combustibles are similar to flammables, but they do not ignite as easily. Liquid combustibles have a flash point above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pyrophoric, or spontaneous combustion materials, burst into flames "on their own" at temperatures below 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

Materials using the Explosive SymbolExplosives are materials which release a tremendous amount of energy in the form of heat, light and expanding pressure within a very short period of time. Water Reactives react with water and may explode, or they may release a gas which is flammable.Unstable Reactives are chemicals that can react or can become self-reactive when subjected to shock, pressure or temperature.

Materials using the Flaming O symbolOxidizers cause other substances to burn more easily through a chemical reaction or change.

Organic Peroxides contain oxygen and act as powerful oxidizers.

Materials using the Cylinder symbolMany gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, and acetylene are used in the manufacturing process. In order to transport, store and use these gases, they are "bottled" under great pressure in tanks called gas cylinders.

Health HazardsHealth hazards are the other major class of hazardous materials covered by the OSHA Communication Standard.

Hazard PotentialHazard potential is the likelihood that a specific chemical or substance (toxic material) will cause an ill effect at a given dose.

High Toxicity Low DoseAcetone is a highly toxic chemical. But you could work safely with it, if you were outside or in a well ventilated room where your dose would be very low.

Low Toxicity - High DoseNitrogen gas has a low toxic rating. However, if you were in a confined space that had only nitrogen gas in it (a very high dose), you would soon die because of the lack of oxygen.

Safe Exposure LimitsSafe exposure limits are based upon a Time Weighted Average, or TWA. TWAs have been established for all the chemicals you work with and limit the average amount of a chemical you can be exposed to over an eight hour day.

Routes of ExposureChemicals can enter the body in three ways:

Inhalation

Skin absorption

Ingestion

InhalationInhalation is the most common route of exposure for most health hazards. This includes breathing in dust, fumes, oil mist, and vapors from solvents and various gases.

Skin ContactSome chemicals are absorbed into the body through skin contact. If a chemical is readily absorbed into the skin, then the notation "skin" will appear along with the occupational exposure limits on the MSDS.

Wearing aprons, gloves, eye protection, and other protective clothing is important when working with some chemicals.

Wearing glovesSelect gloves that fit.

Remove any rings, watches, or bracelets that might cut or tear your gloves.

Wash your hands before and after wearing your gloves.

Inspect your gloves before you use them. Look for holes and cracks that might leak.

After working with chemicals, hold your gloved hands under running water to rinse away any chemicals or dirt before removing the gloves.

Cleaning and disposing of contaminated materialsBodily fluid spillContact appropriate personnelDispose materials in biohazard containerLocation?

Sharps disposalSharps containerLocation?

Eyewash StationsIf you accidentally get something in your eyes, go directly to the eyewash station and flush your eyes with water for 15 minutes. Be sure to hold your eyes open with your fingers and "look" directly into the water streams. DO NOT RUB YOUR EYES! Rubbing your eyes may scratch or embed particles into your eyes. Once you have flushed your eyes with water for 15 minutes, seek medical attention immediately.

IngestionOnly eat in designated break or non-work areas.If even a remote possibility of contamination exists (from bodily fluids or chemicals), food and drink is prohibited in work areas.

Wash your hands and face with soap and water after working with chemicals before you eat, drink, or smoke.

Main Types of Health HazardsCorrosives - cause tissue damage and burns on contact with the skin and eyes.Primary Irritants - cause intense redness or swelling of the skin or eyes on contact, but with no permanent tissue damage.Sensitizers - cause an allergic skin or lung reaction.Acutely Toxic Materials - cause an adverse effect, even at a very low dose.Carcinogens - may cause cancer.Teratogens - may cause birth defects.Organ Specific Hazards - may cause damage to specific organ systems, such as the blood, liver, lungs, or reproductive system.

Health Hazard SymbolsThe Medical symbol is a general symbol used to identify materials which are health hazards.

Health hazard symbolsThe Skull and Crossbones is used to identify hazardous materials which are poisonous.

Health hazard symbolsThis symbol is used to identify materials which are Corrosives. Corrosives cause tissue damage and burns on contact with skin or eyes.

Health Hazard SymbolsThis symbol is used to identify materials which are Radioactive.

Health hazard symbolsThis symbol is used to identify hazardous Biological materials.

Training and CommunicationKnowing how to work safely with chemicals that pose a hazard is an important activity. This is the reason for this training, safety meetings, MSDS, and various bulletins. You have a right to know, but you also have a responsibility to use the knowledge and skills to work safely.

Personal MonitoringMonitor yourself and others. Be on the lookout for any physical symptoms which would indicate that you or your coworkers have been overexposed to any hazardous chemical. Symptoms, such as skin rashes, dizziness, eye or throat irritations or strong odors, should be reported to your supervisor.

Emergency Evacuation ProceduresMust have plan in place to deal with emergencies (fire, earthquake, flood, bomb threat, terrorism)

Personnel evacuation

Floor plan maps: Located in every room of the Health Center. Standard location is next to door frame.

Fire PreventionSmoke alarms, sprinklers

If fire extinguishers available, must be identified, trained personnel to operate them

Dont overload electrical circuits!

Bloodborne PathogensPurpose: Protect workers from exposure to human bloodborne pathogens (Hepatitis B, C, HIV)

Human blood, blood products or blood components are OSHA concerns

Bloodborne PathogensExposure Control Plan

Education on symptoms and transmission of Hep. B, Hep. C and HIV

Information on free Hep. B vaccine

PPE

Work Practice Controls (single-handed recapping, hand washing, prohibit eating/drinking in designated work areas)

Housekeeping

Containment and disposal of infectious waste

Ergonomics - Repetitive Motion InjuriesSome jobs require that you repeat the same hand motion over and over again.These kind of jobs may cause what is known as repetitive motion injuries.Early symptoms include numbness and tingling in the fingers and hand. If the problem persists, talk with your supervisor or safety manager.

OSHAFind more information at the OSHA web site: http://www.osha.gov/

The Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration (IOSHA) web site: http://www.in.gov/dol/iosha.htm

[InternetShortcut]URL=http://valpo.chemwatchna.com/mainPage.exe?operation=search&module=search&custdb=&dummy=0.9485242901438936

IDList=HotKey=0IconFile=C:\Windows\system32\SHELL32.dllIconIndex=57