Hazard Communication
Office of Environmental Health and Safety
The City University of New York
535 East 80th Street
New York, NY 10021
(212) 794-5630
ehs@mail.cuny.edu
www.cuny.edu/ehs
Overview
• Understanding the Hazard Communication
Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200)
• Chemical Properties and Characteristics
• Labels
• Spill Procedures
• MSDS – Material Safety Data Sheets
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Purpose
• The Hazard Communication
Standard was created to ensure
that the hazards of all chemicals
produced or imported are
evaluated, and that this
information is transmitted to all
employees
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Hazard Communication = Right to Know
Employees have the
right to know what
kinds of hazardous
chemicals they work
with or are exposed
to in their work
environment and
what possible health
effects these
chemicals might pose
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Elements of a Written Hazard
Communication Program
• Staff Responsibilities
• Labeling Procedures
• MSDS Procedures
(obtaining / maintaining)
• Training Program
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Information Requirements
• Employees must be informed of:
– Requirements of the Hazard Communication
Standard
– Operations in work areas where there are
hazardous chemicals
– Location/availability of written Hazard
Communication Program
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Training Requirements
• Employees must be trained in
– Methods to detect the presence or release of
hazardous chemicals
– Physical and health hazards of chemicals in
work area
– Personal protection
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Where will you find chemicals at CUNY?
• Cleaning supplies
– Bleach, ammonia, detergents
• Paint Shop
– Paints, paint thinners, paint strippers
• Laboratories
– Assorted chemicals and chemical waste
• Mechanical Rooms / Boiler Rooms
– Oils, grease, cleaners
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What is a Hazardous Chemical?
2 Types of hazards:
• Physical hazard
(Flammable, corrosive, reactive)
• Health hazard
Causing acute or chronic health effects
(Neurotoxin, carcinogen, mutagen,
teratogen, irritant, etc.)
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Flammables
•
•
•
•
Aerosols
Gases
Liquids
Solids
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Flammability
FLAMMABLE = IGNITE EASILY
• Vaporizes quickly at room temperature
• May cause dizziness, nausea, and
headaches if inhaled
• Reacts violently with oxidizers
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Examples of Common Flammable Materials
• Gasoline
• Alcohol
• Paint Thinner
• Aerosol cans
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Fire Triangle
3 Necessary Ingredients for Fire
FUEL
AIR
something that will burn
oxygen
IGNITION SOURCE
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spark
Corrosives
• Solid
• Liquid
• Gas
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Corrosivity
CORROSIVE = BURNS
• Destroy or damage living tissue irreversibly
• Acids (low pH) or Caustics (high pH)
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The pH Scale
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Examples of Common Corrosive Materials
• Bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite)
• Ammonia
• Vinegar (Acetic Acid)
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Reactives
States
• Solids
• Liquids
• Gases
Types
• Air or water reactive
• Shock, heat or friction sensitive
• Explosive
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Examples of Common Reactive Materials
• Metallic sodium
• Metallic calcium
• Dry picric acid
Reactives should only be found in laboratories and
should be carefully stored and monitored.
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Toxicity
TOXIC = POISONOUS
High Toxicity – small dose causes severe effect
Chronic Toxicity – effect from repeated
exposure over long periods of time
Acute Toxicity – immediate and severe effect
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Classes of Toxicity
Carcinogens
- cancer causing or potentially cancer causing
Irritants
- non-severe, short term effect that is reversible
Sensitizers
- may cause allergic reaction after repeated exposure
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NFPA
Hazard
Diamond
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Labels
• Every bottle ordered and received should
come with an affixed label containing:
– Name of product and constituents
– Hazards
– Manufacturer’s Name
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User Labeling
• EVERY bottle must be labeled to identify its contents
(even soap and water, if there is no original label)
• You may use a piece of tape, a
sharpie, or print out a label – as
long as it is clearly legible and
includes the commonly
recognized name of the contents
(not the chemical formula) and its
hazard(s)
Rubbing Alcohol
Flammable
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Old Chemical Bottles
Do not keep old bottles of chemicals that
you will not use
If a label is deteriorating
or falling off, make a new
one or the chemical will
be considered as an
UNKNOWN
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Routes of Exposure
• Breathing (inhalation)
• Skin contact (dermal absorption)
• Swallowing (ingestion)
• Puncture (injection)
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PPE
Know what Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) is available and
where to get it
• Gloves
• Eye protection (safety glasses,
goggles)
• Respiratory Protection
• Apron / coveralls
Some people may be sensitive or
allergic to latex gloves
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What should you do if you spill a
chemical or find a spilled chemical?
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Small Spill
Clean up a spill only if you:
•
•
•
•
Are familiar with the substance that was spilled
Know the substance’s toxicity
Have adequate personal protective equipment
Feel completely comfortable cleaning it up
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Large Spill
For a large spill that requires assistance to clean
up, call:
• Environmental Health and Safety
• Public Safety
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Spill Kits
A spill kit should be available in all areas where
chemicals are stored or used
The spill kit should contain (at a minimum):
-
Gloves & Goggles
Absorbent / Neutralizer
Scoop / mini shovel
Bag / container
Restock the spill kit as soon as possible whenever
anything is used or removed from it
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Fire Extinguishers
4 Classes
• Class A - paper, lumber, cardboard, plastics.
• Class B - gasoline, kerosene, organic solvents.
• Class C - energized electrical equipment including
appliances, switches, panel boxes, power tools, hot
plates and stirrers.
• Class D – combustible/pyrophoric/organometallic
metals, such as magnesium, sodium, and
potassium. These materials burn at high
temperatures and will react violently with water,
air, and/or other chemicals. Handle with care!!
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Trash,
paper, and
cloth.
Gasoline,
propane,
and
solvents.
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Computers,
fax
machines,
and copiers.
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Fire Extinguisher Use
If you use a fire extinguisher to put out a
small fire, remember:
Pull the pin
Aim at base of fire
Squeeze the trigger
Sweep from side to side
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Safety Showers
• Know the location of the
nearest safety shower in
case of emergency
• Make sure it’s accessible,
in good working order,
and that its inspection is
up-to-date
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Eye Wash
• Know the location of the nearest eye wash in case a
chemical comes in contact with your eye
• Flush your eye(s) for at least 15 minutes
• Eye wash stations should be flushed weekly
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Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDS)
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Where can you find an MSDS for
a chemical?
• An MSDS MUST be available anywhere a
chemical is used or stored
• Each person must know how and where to find an
MSDS in the immediate area
• An MSDS should be included with the purchase of
a chemical. Many are available online.
• Ask EH&S if you have having difficulty locating
an MSDS or getting one from a manufacturer
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Sections of MSDS
•
•
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•
•
•
•
Product Identification / Ingredients
Hazards
First Aid
Fire Fighting
Release Measures
Handling / Storage
Personal Protection
Physical / Chemical Properties
Toxicology
Disposal / Transport Information
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Product Identification /
Ingredients
• Chemical name, trade name, synonyms
• CAS (Chemical Abstract Service) Number
• Molecular Formula / Molecular Weight
• Ingredients and Percentages
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Hazards
• Warning Phrases
– Danger! Flammable! Corrosive!
• NFPA Ratings (0-4) for Health,
Flammability, Reactivity, Special/Other
• Potential Health Effects
– Inhalation, skin contact, ingestion, chronic
exposure
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First Aid
• Information on what do in case of an
exposure by
–
–
–
–
Inhalation
Ingestion
Skin Contact
Eye Contact
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Fire Fighting Information
• Flash point
• Auto ignition
temperature
• Type of fire
extinguisher to use
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Release Measures
• Measures to take if this material is released
to the environment
• Reportable Quantities
• Coast Guard National Response Center
(NRC) 1-800-424-8802
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Handling/Storage
• Ideal/preferred storage conditions
(humidity and temperature)
• Ventilation
• Store away from incompatibles
• Flammables / Corrosives cabinets
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PPE
• Recommendations for types of gloves to be used
(nitrile, latex, butyl) based on the specific
chemical’s properties
• Recommendations for respirator type and
cartridge selection
• Additional PPE (glasses, apron, shoes, etc.)
• Exposure Limits
– Permissible exposure limit (PEL)
– Short term exposure limit (STEL)
– Threshold Limit Value (TLV)
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Physical / Chemical Properties
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•
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Color
Odor
Specific Gravity
pH
Boiling & Melting Points
Vapor Density & Pressure
Solubility
Decomposition Products / Polymerization
Incompatibilities
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Toxicology
• LD 50
(Lethal Dose for 50% of
population)
• Target organ systems
• Metabolic pathways
• Mutagen / carcinogen /
teratogen
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Disposal / Transport
• DOT shipping information
• RCRA hazardous waste information and
waste codes
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Review
• Label ALL bottles/containers
• Know where to find an MSDS and how to
read one
• Clean up only small-scale spills, and only if
you feel comfortable doing so. Otherwise,
call EH&S or Public Safety immediately.
• See EH&S or your manager with any
questions about chemicals in your area
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Any Questions?
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