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Employees
have a right to know about chemicals they are working with,
around, or can come in contact with. OSHA standard 29 CFR
1910.1200 is intended to inform all workers of this information
under normal working conditions or where chemical emergencies
could occur. The hazard communication standard requires all
workplace chemicals to be thoroughly evaluated for all possible
health and physical hazards. It also mandates that this
information be made available to all workers. In accordance with
OSHA and specific state standards, this facility has adopted
this Hazard Communications Program. The program will be
maintained at the facility and will be made available to
employees and regulatory personnel upon request.
PROGRAM
ELEMENTS
This program
contains the following elements:
·
Hazardous
Substance Inventory
·
Material
Safety Data Sheets
·
Labeling
·
Information
and Training
Hazardous
Substance Inventory
This
facility will retain on file, an inventory list of all hazardous
materials that are stored and/or used by employees performing
their job duties. The materials will be added to the list based
on manufacturer information, including MSDS's, that indicates
that the materials meet any of the physical or health hazard
characteristics (i.e. toxic, reactive, flammable, corrosive,
etc.).
Material
Safety Data Sheets
MSDS sheets
for all chemicals on the inventory list will be obtained from
the substance manufacturer and retained at the facility. The
MSDS will be kept in a designated area open and accessible to
employees. The MSDS sheets will be periodically reviewed and
updat!'3d. If any new chemicals are introduced to the office,
they will be evaluated and if MSDS sheets are required they will
be added to the file. Employees will be trained as to the safety
precautions required for the new chemical in a timely manner.
All MSDS’s must be in English and contain certain information:
·
Identity of
the chemical.
·
Physical
hazards.
·
Health
hazards.
·
Primary
routes of entry.
·
Whether it
is a carcinogen.
·
Precautions
for safe handling and use.
·
Emergency
and first aid procedures.
·
Date of
preparation of latest revision.
·
Name,
address, and telephone number of manufacturer, importer, or
other responsible party.
Labeling
Hazardous
chemical containers must be labeled clearly in English. Other
languages may appear on labels along with English. Individual
stationary containers may have signs, placards, batch tickets,
or printed operating procedures in place of labels. If a
chemical is being transferred during a work shift for the sole
use of an employee the company is not required to label portable
transfer vessels. If that vessel is being transferred for use on
a different work shift, it must be labeled. Labels are required
to contain the following information:
a)
Identity of
the hazardous chemical.
b)
Appropriate
hazard warnings.
c)
Name and
address of chemical manufacturer, importer, or other responsible
party.
Information and Training
All
employees will receive hazcom training at the time of initial
employment or assignment, as well as when a new or previously
unrecognized hazard is introduced into the workplace. Employees
are to be informed of:
·
Requirements
of 29 CFR 1910.1200.
·
Any
operations in workplace where hazardous chemicals are present.
·
Location and
availability of written hazcom program.
·
Location and
availability of MSDS file(s).
·
Basic
instructions on how to read an MSDS.
Required
Hazcom Training Elements
·
Methods or
observations used to detect the presence or release of hazardous
chemicals in work area.
·
Physical and
health hazards of chemicals in workplace.
·
Measures
employees can utilize to protect themselves from ~he hazards,
including work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE).
·
Details of
the facility hazard communication program, including complete
information on labels and MSDSs, will be provided by facility
management.
Annual
Program Review
The
workplace is constantly changing. New chemicals, procedures, and
regulations are being introduced to the work place on an ongoing
basis. With this in mind, facility management will review this
Hazard Communication Program at least annually in accordance
with 29 CFR 1200 and the program will be amended as needed.
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