HAZARD COMMUNICATION
by Bill Grieb
OSHA'S Expanded Hazard Communication Standard
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has expanded protection under its hazard communication standard to cover all workers exposed to hazardous substances in all industrial sectors-not just those in the manufacturing sector, as under the original standard.
Coverage has expanded from an estimated 14 million workers in 300,000 establishments by about 18 million workers in more than 3.5 million affected worksites (including construction). This covers workers in Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes 01 through 89.
OSHA tells us there will be benefits to this expanded coverage: major reductions in numbers of injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. For cancer alone, OSHA estimates that the number of cases averted annually in the non-manufacturing sectors by the federal and state standards will be 8,200 cases and 4,100 deaths after 20 years. The cumulative total for 40 years would be 286,500 cases and 143,300 work-related cancer deaths averted.
According to OSHA estimates, the cost of the expansion of the standard will be about $687.2 million for the first year. The cost will have decreased to about $113.2 million in the twentieth year.
Now OSHA requires that all nonmanufacturing employers with hazardous chemical exposures establish communication programs to transmit information on the hazard to their employees. This will be carried out by means of labels on containers, materials safety data sheets (MSDSs), and training programs.
All employers, in addition to those in manufacturing and importing, are responsible for informing and training workers about the hazards in their workplaces, retaining warning labels, and making MSDSs available to discuss hazardous materials.
Hazardous Chemical Safety Rules: C - H - E - M - S
C - CHECK IT OUT
1. Do not handle or use hazardous materials you are not familiar with.
2. Always read, understand, and follow instructions on the label.
3. Know where to find Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on all hazardous materials (see end of article for MSDS description).
4. Understand standard operating procedures that have been established for handling and cleaning up of chemical spills.
H - HANDLE IT WITH CARE
1. Do not eat, drink, or smoke in areas where hazardous chemicals are present.
2. Wash thoroughly after handling hazardous materials and follow all special instructions. Wash hands and face thoroughly and change to clean clothes after spraying or dusting.
3. Wear protective clothing. Take all appropriate safety measures when handling potentially hazardous materials. Never mix chemicals without specific instructions. Pour liquids, powders, and dusts slowly to prevent splash or spill.
4. When mixing chemicals, pour the chemical into water, not the reverse. Pour more concentrated or reactive material into either solvent or less concentrated or reactive material; never add weaker materials to stronger or concentrated chemicals.
E - EXPECT EMERGENCIES
1. Know what to do in any emergency.
2. Know the location and operation of eye wash fountains and safety showers in areas where corrosive chemicals are handled.
3. Avoid inhaling or contacting sprays or dust. Use appropriate respirators, goggles, shields, gloves, and other protective equipment as needed. When using solvents, don't breathe the vapors.
4. Do not use hazardous materials where respirators are needed for emergency use until you have been trained in and are familiar with their use, limitations, and location.
M - MARK IT CAREFULLY
1. Keep chemicals in original labeled containers.
2. Label each container of a hazardous substance (e.g., vats, bottles, storage tanks) with product identity.
3. Label with a hazard warning (communication of the material's specific health hazards and physical hazards).
4. Promptly dispose of empty containers in a proper manner.
S - STORE IF SAFELY
1. Do not leave toxic chemicals unattended. Store chemicals away from the reach of children and pets, preferably in locked storage.
2. Store compressed gas cylinders upright and chained.
3. Store all materials that give off toxic, asphyxiating, suffocating, or anesthetic fumes in remote or isolated locations when not in use.
4. Store flammable materials away from heat source.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
An MSDS has several sections:
1. Chemical identity. This section defines the manufacturer and how it can be reached. The section also usually states when the MSDS was prepared.
2. Hazardous ingredients/identity. This section defines the chemical by its common name. Any safe exposure limits that have been defined are given, including the Permissible Exposure Limit and Threshold Limit Value.
3. Physical chemical characteristics. These may include boiling point, melting point, vapor pressure, vapor density, evaporation rate, solubility in water, and specific gravity.
4. Fire and explosion hazard data. These include flash point, flammable limits, lower and upper explosive limits, and define what type of fire fighting is appropriate.
5. Reactivity data. These include information on stability or instability, incompatibilities, hazardous decomposition, and polymerization by-products.
6. Health hazard data. These include hazards from inhaling, swelling, through the skin, etc., and explain whether the effects are acute, chronic, or both. Signs, symptoms, and first aid procedures are defined.
7. Precautions for safe handling and use. These include the handling of spills, leaks, and other accidental releases and define disposal and other handling precautions.
8. Control measures. These include such items as type of respirators, ventilation, protective gloves, eye protection, protective clothing, etc. Work hygiene practices such as washing after handling and decontamination are included.
Bill Grieb edits Safety Information Currents. This article was reprinted with permission from Volume III, Number 11 of this newsletter.