Hazard Communication (HazCom)

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Hazard Communication(HazCom)
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This material was produced under grant number
46B4-HT15 from the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does
not necessarily reflect the views or policies of
the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of
trade names, commercial products, or
organizations imply endorsement by the U.S.
Government.  
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Hazard Communication29 CFR 1910.1200

• Known as Chemical Right-to-Know
• This standard was put into place to ensure
  employers and employees know about chemical work
  hazards and how to protect themselves
• Applies to general industry, shipyard,
  longshoring, and construction workers, as well as
  to chemical manufacturers and importers exposed
  to chemical hazards

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HazComChemical Right-to-Know
You, as an employee, have the right to know the
properties and potential health safety hazards
of any hazardous chemical to which you may be
exposed.
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HazComHazardous Chemical

• A hazardous chemical is any chemical that may
  harm you physically or that may pose a hazard to
  your health
• Hazardous chemicals may be
• Gases
• Liquids
• Solids

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HazCom Employer Responsibilities

• Hazard determination
• Identify and list hazardous chemicals in
  workplace
• Obtain and maintain Material Safety Data Sheets
  (MSDS)
• Implement a written HazCom program
• Describes how program elements will be met (MSDS,
  labels and employee information and training)
• Labels and other forms of warning
• Employee information and training

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HazComEmployer Responsibilities (contd)

• A Hazard Communication written program specifies
  how the employer will handle
• MSDS
• Labels Markings
• Employee Information Training

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HazComWritten Program

• Employers will provide a written program to
  provide information and training
• Written program provides necessary hazard
  information

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HazComMaterial Safety Data Sheets

• Prepared by the chemical manufacturer,
  distributor or importer. Describes
• Physical hazards fire and explosion
• Health hazards signs of exposure
• Routes of exposure
• Safe handling and use precautions
• Control measures
• Emergency and first-aid procedures
• Must be readily available to employees

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Hazard CommunicationMaterial Safety Data Sheets
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Hazard CommunicationMaterial Safety Data Sheets
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Hazard CommunicationMaterial Safety Data Sheets
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Hazard CommunicationMaterial Safety Data Sheets
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HazCom Labeling Marking

• Label each container with
• Name of chemical
• Appropriate hazard warning(s)
• Name address of responsible party
• Warning can be written, a picture, or symbol as
  long as you provide information on hazards, and
  target organs affected, if applicable
• Must be legible

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HazComLabeling Marking (contd)

• Two common labeling and marking systems are
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
  Diamond
• Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS)

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HazComLabeling Marking (contd)

• NFPA Diamond
• Color coded, numerical rating system
• Blue Health
• Red Flammability
• Yellow Reactivity
• White Special hazard
• information

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HazComLabeling Marking (contd)

• NFPA Diamond
• 4 Deadly hazard
• 3 Severe hazard
• 2 Moderate hazard
• 1 Slight hazard
• 0 No hazard

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HazComLabeling Marking (contd)

• HMIS System
• Same color numerical rating system as NFPA
  diamond
• Blue Health
• Red Flammability
• Yellow Reactivity
• White Personal Protective
• Equipment or special
• protection information
• Numerical Rating of 0-4

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HazComEmployee Information Training

• Required for all employees that are exposed to
  hazardous chemicals in the workplace
• Shown here is a partial list of common hazardous
  chemicals typically found in your industry
• Ammonia
• Nitrogen
• Chlorine (Bleach)
• Acids
• Bases

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HazComEmployee Information Training(contd)

• Employees are required to receive Hazard
• Communication training as follows
• Initially upon employment
• Whenever a new hazardous chemical is introduced
  into the work area

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HazComEmployee Information Training (contd)

• You must be provided with specific training for
  your work area, including
• Description or listing of chemicals in your work
  area
• Specific procedures or precautions that must be
  used in your work area
• Location of
• The written Hazard Communication Plan
• Chemical Inventory List(s)
• Material Safety Data Sheets

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HazComEmployee Information Training(contd)

• You must be provided with specific training for
  your work area, including
• Requirements of the HazCom standard
• How to detect the presence or release of a
  hazardous chemical (see, taste, smell, monitoring
  devices, etc.)
• Physical Health hazards
• Details of your site-specific HazCom program

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HazComGeneral Precautions

• Be aware of the potential hazards of the
  chemicals you are working with
• Read and understand the label and/or MSDS
• Ask your supervisor if you dont understand
  something
• Use proper ventilation when working with
  chemicals, and isolate the work area to reduce
  unnecessary exposure to others in the area

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HazComGeneral Precautions (contd)

• Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) that is
  appropriate for the chemical you are working with
  (e.g. gloves, goggles, protective clothing)
• Avoid breathing vapors
• Avoid skin contact with chemicals
• Learn to recognize potentially hazardous
  situations
• Unlabeled containers
• Unusual vapors or odors
• Spills
• Non-routine tasks
• Unlabeled pipes or containers

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HazCom Summary

• This standard is simple
• Employees have both a need and a right to know
  about hazardous chemicals they are exposed to in
  the workplace
• Employers must inform employees what PPE to wear
  to prevent adverse health effects