Hazard Communication-

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Hazard Communication-Right to Know
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200
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Hazard Communication Goals

• Right to Know chemical hazards
• PPE
• First aid
• Labels
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

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Close Encounters With Chemicals

• We encounter chemicals almost every day.
• Filling your vehicle with gasoline.
• Cleaning the bathroom
• Applying pesticides or insecticides
• Using solvents or acids at work
• Many chemicals can cause injury or illness if not
  handled properly.

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Right to Know

• OSHA created the Hazard Communication Standard to
  help ensure your safety when working with
  hazardous chemicals.
• You have a RIGHT TO KNOW about the hazardous
  chemicals you use on the job and how to work
  safely with those chemicals.

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Hazard Communication Standard

• Chemical Manufacturers must
• Determine a chemicals hazards
• Provide labels and MSDSs
• Employers must
• Provide a Hazard Communication Program
• Maintain MSDSs
• Train on hazardous materials

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HazCom Standard (cont.)

• Employees must
• Read labels and MSDSs
• Follow employer instructions and warnings
• Identify hazards before starting a job
• Participate in training

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Chemical Hazards-2 Categories

• Health Hazards
• Physical Hazards

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Health Hazards

• Health hazards fall into 5 main categories
• Toxic
• Corrosive or irritating
• Carcinogenic
• Reproductive
• Sensitizing

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Toxic-Toxic Chemicals

• Have an effect on one or more body organ or
  system.
• This effect may be varied.
• It may damage the lungs, stimulate or depress the
  nervous system, or damage other systems, such as
  the kidneys or liver.

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Toxic-Toxic Chemicals (cont.)

• Often the effect of a toxic chemical occurs at a
  site in the body that is different from where it
  entered the body.
• It may have been inhaled into the lungs but
  affect the liver.
• It may be absorbed through the skin and affect
  the brain.

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Toxic-Toxic Chemicals (cont.)

• Workplace solvents (paints, thinners and solvent
  degreasers) are a common kind of chemical that
  may be either inhaled or absorbed through the
  skin and generally affects the central nervous
  system, liver and kidneys.

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Toxic-Toxic Chemicals (cont.)

• The effect of a toxic chemical may develop
  immediately or may take months to years to
  develop.
• Toxic effects are dependent on the dose how
  much exposure you have over what period of time.
• Often you can safely be exposed to low levels
  over a long time period.

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Toxic-Toxic Chemicals Route of Entry

• Toxic exposures also depend on the route of
  entry.
• This is the way the chemical gets into the body
  and some ways are more efficient than others.

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Toxic-Toxic Chemicals Route of Entry

• In comparing the different routes of entry
• INHALATION of a chemical via the lungs, can take
  a chemical directly to the blood stream, as can
  an open cut or rash.
• ABSORPTION INGESTION through the skin and
  gastrointestinal system are generally slower and
  less effective routes of entry.
• The eyes arent a very effective route of entry,
  but are very sensitive to many chemicals.
  PROTECT YOUR EYES!

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Irritating or Corrosive

• Irritating or corrosive chemicals are very
  different than toxic chemicals.
• And in many ways much simpler.
• They have essentially one effect, which is to
  irritate body tissues that they come into contact
  with.

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Irritating or Corrosive (cont.)

• Irritating or corrosive chemicals affect the
  tissues at the site they contact and are not
  transported through the body to cause effects at
  other sites.
• And the effect is generally immediate, or very
  nearly.

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Irritating or Corrosive (cont.)

• Acids and caustics are examples of irritant
  chemicals.
• It is important to keep them off your skin and
  out of your eyes.

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Carcinogens

• Carcinogens are chemicals that cause cancer.
• In many ways they act like toxic chemicals,
  exerting their effect on various body organs and
  systems and having an effect that is often
  long-term (occurring over a period of years).

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Carcinogens (cont.)

• Carcinogens are different than toxic chemicals in
  that their effect is less dependent on dose.
• Even a one-time exposure to some carcinogens can
  cause cancer years later.
• So preventing contact and exposure is especially
  important.
• Asbestos and lead are examples of carcinogens
  found in many workplaces and homes.

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Reproductive

• Reproductive hazards affect the reproductive
  system directly (both male and female), depending
  on the chemical and its effect.
• They also, in some cases, affect the unborn
  child, particularly during the first 3 months of
  pregnancy.

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Reproductive (cont.)

• Reproductive hazards act in some ways like
  carcinogens, requiring a relatively limited
  exposure for the effect to occur.
• Again, preventing exposure, especially during
  pregnancy, is the key.

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Sensitizing

• Sensitizers cause an allergic-type reaction.
• Often this reaction takes the form of a skin
  reaction, such as hives, or a respiratory
  reaction similar to asthma.
• The reaction can be severe and tends to get worse
  over time.

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Sensitizing (cont.)

• With sensitizers, the reaction wont be initially
  present. It requires initial exposure to trigger
  it, after which a very small exposure may trigger
  the reaction.
• Again, controlling exposure initially is key.

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Controlling Chemical Health Hazards

• So how do we control exposures?
• Primarily by remembering the routes of entry.
• You avoid inhaling chemicals by using a
  respirator if excessive airborne exposure will be
  present.
• And by testing the air to assess the exposure
  level.

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Controlling Chemical Health Hazards

• You avoid swallowing chemicals by wearing the
  correct gloves and washing your hands before
  eating, drinking or smoking.
• You avoid skin absorption by again wearing the
  correct gloves (especially if you have a cut or
  rash) and washing up frequently.

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Controlling Chemical Health Hazards

• If you get an irritating chemical on the skin or
  in your eyes, immediate first aid is critical.
• Flush your eyes in an eyewash for at least 15
  minutes, keeping the eyelids open.
• Wash your skin thoroughly with water immediately.

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Physical Hazards of Workplace Chemicals
Physical hazards of chemicals include

• Combustibles and flammables
• Explosive and reactive chemicals
• Compressed gases

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Combustibles and Flammables

• Combustibles and flammables catch fire and burn,
  sometimes explosively.
• They can be handled safely by remembering a few
  simple principles.

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Combustibles and Flammables (cont.)

• To work safely with flammables and combustibles

• Control fuel by using safety cans, keeping
  containers covered, and using only the amount you
  need.
• Control ignition sources by grounding and
  bonding containers and keeping flames away.

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Combustibles and Flammables (cont.)

• Remember the fire pyramid

Oxygen
Ignition Source
Fuel
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Explosives and Reactives

• Explosives and reactives present very specialized
  hazards.
• Explosive Compressed gas cylinders aerosol
  cans
• Reactive Mixture of bleach and ammonia mixture
  of acid and solvents.
• The key with any chemical is to read the Material
  Safety Data Sheet (more in a minute) and know its
  safe handling.

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Combustible Gases

• Combustible gases are a physical hazard because
  of the pressurized container.
• Keep them secured and capped when not in use.
• Transport them on an appropriate dolly.
• Use the correct regulator.

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Container Labeling

• Label secondary containers with the following
  information (at a minimum)

• Name of product
• Precautions to take (summarized from the MSDS or
  the manufacturers original label)

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NFPA Labeling
NFPA-The National Fire Protection Association
Blue - Health
Red - Flammability
Yellow - Reactivity
White Other hazards or special handling
SCALE 0 (No Hazard) to 4 (Extreme Hazard)
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MSDS Book

• The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a
  document that is provided by the manufacturer of
  a chemical to describe the hazards of that
  chemical and the precautions to take in order to
  work with it safely.

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MSDS Book (cont.)

• Each Community that uses chemicals has their own
  MSDS Book for all chemicals utilized. If you are
  not familiar with the location of your MSDS Book
  or the chemical used in your Community, ask your
  Supervisor.

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PPE Summary

• Remember, when working with hazardous chemicals,
  make sure you are wearing the required PPE.
• PPE may include
• Glasses or goggles and face shield
• Gloves
• Chemical Apron
• Respirator
• Foot Protection

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First Aid Summary

• Eyes Flush with water for at least 15-20
  minutes.
• Skin
• Flush with water for at least 15-20 minutes
  (corrosive or solvent contact)
• wash with soap and water (lead or inorganic
  arsenic contact).
• Inhalation Move to fresh air
• Ingestion Get emergency medical assistance.