HAZARD
COMMUNICATION
Sunil Chithiri
Safety Officer
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management
Stephen F. Austin State University
Topics

HAZCOM Standard Overview

Hazardous Chemicals

Labeling Requirements

Material Safety Data Sheets

Site-Specific HAZCOM Program
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Hazard Communication Standard
1910.1200(a)

Purpose of Standard
◦ To prevent injuries and illness from
hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Hazard Communication Standard

The four main components of the HAZCOM
standard are:
◦ Site-Specific Written Program
◦ Material Safety Data Sheets
◦ Labeling System
◦ Employee Training
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Hazard Communication Standard

All employees, contractors and subcontractors
have a “right-to-know” the following
information:
◦ Hazards of chemicals
◦ Potential health effects that might results from
routine, non-routine, or emergency duties
◦ How the employee can protect him/herself
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Hazardous Chemicals

Hazardous chemicals means any chemical which
is a physical hazard or a health hazard.
◦ Physical hazard – exhibited by certain
chemicals due to their physical properties.
◦ Health hazard – ability of the chemical to
affect your health.
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Hazardous Chemicals

Chemical Forms
◦ Solid – becomes airborne as fumes or dust
◦ Liquid – becomes airborne as mists or vapors
◦ Gas- becomes airborne if not contained.
Solid
Liquid
Gas
Microscopic View
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Hazardous Chemicals

Physical Hazard – is any chemical that is a
◦ Compressed gas, combustible liquid, explosive,
flammable, oxidizer, polymer, pyrophoric,
unstable and water-reactive chemical
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Hazardous Chemicals

Health Hazard
◦ Carcinogen, corrosive, cryogenic, toxic,
irritant, reproductive hazard (teratogen
and mutagen) sensitizer and target organ
chemical.
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Hazardous Chemicals

Examples of hazardous chemicals include:
◦ Demulsifiers
◦ Paraffin inhibitors
◦ Corrosion inhibitors
◦ Emulsion breakers
◦ Water clarifier
◦ Foaming Agents
◦ Alcohols
◦ Acids
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Hazardous Chemicals

Exposure and Effects
◦ The degree of hazard depends on:
 Exposure route, dosage, toxicity and individual
differences
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Hazardous Chemicals

Adverse Health Effect
◦ Acute
 Short-term exposure - dizziness
◦ Chronic
 Long-term exposure - cancer
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Hazardous Chemicals

Exposure Controls
◦ Engineering controls
◦ Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
◦ Administrative controls
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Hazardous Chemicals

PPE Selection
◦ Proper type
◦ Proper fit
◦ Proper use
◦ Proper maintenance
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Hazardous Chemicals

Methods of Detecting the Presence or Release
◦ Air monitoring
◦ Continuing monitoring devices
◦ Visual appearance
◦ Odor
◦ Alarm
◦ The physical and health hazards of the
hazardous chemical; including the likely
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
symptoms from an over-exposure.
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Labeling Requirements

Definition
◦ Printed information attached to container.
◦ Usually placed by manufacturer.
◦ Provides at least general information.
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Labeling Requirements

Location
◦ May be glued, tagged, or attached sheet
◦ Batch ticket
◦ Process sheet
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Labeling Requirements

Label Information
◦ Must identify substance in container
◦ Warnings may be pictures/symbols
◦ Must give identity about health/physical hazards
◦ Must be changed within 3 months of learning of
new hazards
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Labeling Requirements

Label Information
◦ May contain other information like PPE
requirements.
◦ Must use same name as MSDS.
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Labeling Requirements

Know how to use the labeling system.

Know how to report damaged or missing
labels.
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Labeling Requirements

Never remove or deface the labels

Never use a chemical from container with no
label

Consult labels, MSDSs, and procedures
before using any chemical
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Labeling Requirements

Type of Labels
◦ Written, NFPA (diamond-shaped), HMIS,
CHIT and DOT (diamond-shaped)
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Labeling Requirements

Type of Labels
◦ Written – presents all of the chemical
information in writing.
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Labeling Requirements

Type of Labels
◦ NFPA
 Red – flammability
 Yellow – reactivity
 Blue - health hazards
 White - special hazards
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Labeling Requirements

Type of Labels
◦ HMIS Label
 Color code, numeric code and alphabetic code
New
Label
Old
Label
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Labeling Requirements

Type of Labels
◦ CHIT Label (Chemical Hazard Identification
and Training)
 Uses symbols combined with brief written
descriptions to convey hazard warnings.
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Labeling Requirements

Type of Labels
◦ The Department of Transportation (DOT)
label
 Classifies hazardous materials by either their
hazard class number or class name. The labels are
diamond-shaped, color-coded, and contain a
symbol and hazard class number.
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Material Safety Data Sheets

Prior to using a new chemical
◦ Obtain the Material Safety
Data Sheet.
◦ Identify chemical hazards
and safe handling practices.
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Material Safety Data Sheets

Cornerstone of every HAZCOM program.

Collected by employer for every hazardous
chemical in facility.

Available for employees to check at any time.
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Material Safety Data Sheets

Added whenever a new
chemical comes into the
workplace.

Revised and reissued
when new hazard found
or new information is
available.
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Material Safety Data Sheets

Convenient Location
◦ Binders
◦ Wall pockets
◦ Shelves
◦ Computer system

Ask about anything
you don't understand.
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Material Safety Data Sheets

Common MSDS Information
◦ Chemical name and any common names.
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Material Safety Data Sheets

Common MSDS Information
◦ Date of preparation or revision.
◦ Lists contact who can provide more
information.
◦ Physical Characteristics.
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Material Safety Data Sheets

Common MSDS Information
◦ Physical Hazards
◦ Health Hazards
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Material Safety Data Sheets

Common MSDS Information
◦ Route of Entry
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Material Safety Data Sheets

Common MSDS Information
◦ Exposure limits
◦ Carcinogenic Status
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Material Safety Data Sheets

Common MSDS Information
◦ Safe handling and use
◦ Control Measures
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Material Safety Data Sheets

Common MSDS Information
◦ Emergency and first aid procedures
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Site-Specific HAZCOM Program

Identification and Evaluation
◦ A list of all hazardous chemicals used in
the facility must be prepared and evaluated
and must be maintained with the site-
specific Hazard Communication Program
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Site-Specific HAZCOM Program

Identification and Evaluation
◦ The quality of the hazard communication
program depends on the adequacy and
accuracy of the hazard assessment.
◦ Potential chemical exposures must be
documented on the PPE Hazard
Assessment form.
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Site-Specific HAZCOM Program

Labeling
◦ All hazardous chemicals received, in use, and
in storage must be labeled
◦ Chemicals must be labeled with the following
information:
 Name of contents, health hazards, physical hazards;
and manufacturer’s name and phone number
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Site-Specific HAZCOM Program

Labeling
Stationary containers such as large vessels or
storage tanks shall be labeled as follows:
 The name of the contents (example: Condensate,
Methanol, Glycol), a NFPA diamond, HMIS III
System, or equivalent that identifies hazards in a
color and numerical grading system
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Site-Specific HAZCOM Program

Labeling
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Site-Specific HAZCOM Program

Material Safety Data Sheets
◦ Adding new chemicals
 MSDS must be requested when new chemical is
brought in
 Affected employees should review new MSDS
 Chemical name should be added to Chemical
Inventory
 MSDS should be added to appropriate books.
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Site-Specific HAZCOM Program

Material Safety Data Sheets
◦ MSDS archive
 Verify chemical is no longer in use or present
 Eliminate Chemical Name from Inventory List
 Remove MSDS from active binder
 Place in archive file for 30 years!
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Site-Specific HAZCOM Program

Employee Information and Training
◦ All affected employees must be trained in
hazardous chemicals in the workplace
◦ Affected employees must be trained upon
initial assignment, every year, and whenever
new chemicals are introduced into their
work area
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Site-Specific HAZCOM Program

Chemical Safety
◦ Appropriate protective clothing and the
appropriate PPE must be worn
◦ Smoking, eating, drinking or storage of food
is prohibited
◦ Avoid hand-to-mouth, hand-to-face, or handto-eye contamination
◦ Never taste a chemical
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Site-Specific HAZCOM Program

Chemical Safety
◦ Wash hands after handling chemicals
◦ Avoid direct contact with chemicals or samples
◦ Prior to working with chemicals, understand the
information provided on the MSDS
◦ All chemicals as well as samples must be labeled
clearly and concisely including any
precautionary information needed
◦ NEVER add water to acid
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Site-Specific HAZCOM Program

Chemical Safety
◦ Refuse to use any substance in an unlabeled or
improperly labeled container
◦ Do not work with flammable chemicals near
ignition or spark sources. Dispose of flammable
waste properly
◦ Never store incompatible chemicals next to each
other
◦ Review the MSDS for proper disposal guidelines
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Site-Specific HAZCOM Program

Employee Monitoring Request
◦ If a employee has a concern about a chemical
workplace exposure, the individual should
notify his/her immediate supervisor
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Site-Specific HAZCOM Program

Non-Routine / Emergency Activities
◦ The employees involved will review
information on the potential exposure, effects
of exposure, measures to be taken to work
safely, and any personal protective equipment
requirements
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Site-Specific HAZCOM Program

HAZCOM Program Administrator
◦ Oversees implementation of the Hazard
Communication Program
◦ Revises, and updates, the hazardous chemical
inventory when necessary, and annually
◦ Makes sure that all hazardous chemicals
received, in use, and in storage are labeled
indicating content name and applicable hazard
warnings
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Site-Specific HAZCOM Program

HAZCOM Program Administrator
◦ Establishes procedures for collecting, maintaining
and updating MSDSs for each chemical used
◦ Identifies and evaluates all chemical hazards at the
worksite and provide information concerning
chemical hazards and appropriate protective
measures to employees and contractors
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Site-Specific HAZCOM Program

HAZCOM Program Administrator
◦ Reviews annually the hazardous chemical
inventory list and site-specific written Hazard
Communication Program for effectiveness of
the program
◦ Oversees the employee information and
training program
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University
Questions
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk
Management Stephen F. Austin State
University