HAZARD
COMMUNICATION
For Non-Employees Who Routinely
Work With Chemicals
HAZARD COMMUNICATION
The Hazard Communication Standard
(HazCom) was adopted by DOSH (aka CalOSHA) to provide individuals with
information about the chemical hazards on
the job, and how to protect themselves
against those hazards.
Question #1
The Hazard Communication Standard was
adopted, and is enforced by, what regulatory
agency?
A.
B.
C.
D.
MSHA – Mine Safety and Health Administration
DOSH – Department of Occupational Health and Safety
EPA – Environmental Protection Agency
SJVAPCD – San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control
District
Hazard Communication
Chemicals are hazardous if they:

Cause acute health problems


Such as corrosives that can burn eyes
or skin
Cause chronic health problems

Such as toxic chemicals that can cause
long-term illnesses, such as cancer
Hazard Communication
Chemicals are hazardous if they:

Suddenly release pressure


These explosive chemicals includes
gases that could expand violently
Are flammable/combustible

Chemicals that catch fire easily
Hazard Communication
Chemicals are hazardous if they:

Are reactive

These chemicals are not stable, and
thus can burn, explode, or release
dangerous vapors if exposed to heat,
air, water, or certain other chemicals.
Hazard Communication
The HazCom Standard details threepronged compliance:
1) Chemical manufacturers are
required to:


determine the physical and health hazards
of each product they make.
provide detailed container labels and
supply Safety Data Sheets* (SDS)
*previously known as material safety data sheets
Hazard Communication
2) Employers are required to:



Make SDS’s available to employees
Provide employees with training about the
Hazard Communication Standard
Explain how it’s being put into effect in their
workplace, including:
 How to recognize, understand and use
labels and SDSs
 Using safe procedures when working with
hazardous substances
Hazard Communication
3) Individuals working with chemicals
are required to:



Read labels and SDS’s
Follow label and SDS instructions and
warnings.
Know about the hazards of the chemical
BEFORE using them.
Question #2
Identify the entity who is responsible
for each of the following activities:
Employees
are required to make SDS’s
available to employees
Employers
are required to read all SDS’s
prior to using chemicals
Manufacturers
provide detailed container labels
and supply Safety Data Sheets
(SDS)
Hazard Communication
Manufacturer Labels
A label will contain the following basic
information:






Product Identifier
Manufacturer contact info
Signal Words*
Hazard Statements*
Precautionary Statements*
Pictograms*
*Further defined in the next 4 slides
Hazard Communication
Signal Words
Labels and SDS’s are now required to have
signal words when applicable. There are only
one of two options when a signal word is
required:


Danger – is used for the more severe hazards,
or
Warning – is used for the less severe hazards
Hazard Communication
Hazard Statements
These statements detail the hazards
associated with the chemical.
Examples:



Causes skin irritation.
Harmful if swallowed.
Heating may cause fire.
Hazard Communication
Precautionary Statements
These statements detail the precautions that
should be taken when using, storing, or
transporting the chemical.
Examples:



Do not spray on open flame or other ignition
source.
Keep cool. Protect from sunlight.
Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
Hazard Communication
Pictograms
Labels and SDS’s are
now required to have
pictograms, when specific hazards are
present. These visual cues are intended to aid
with hazard recognition and compliment the
hazard statements.
Hazard Communication
Additional requirement
 If materials are transferred to a
secondary container, this container
must be labeled if either:


Container will leave the control of the
initial user, or
Container will be stored
Note: The use of old beverage containers must be
avoided.
Question #3
Is the following true or false?
If a chemical is transferred into a secondary container
just for storage, then it does not need a label.
Hazard Communication
Below are two examples of secondary
container labels.
Minimum information required on labels:



Product Identifier (for example “Windex”)
Signal Word (If on manufacturers label)
All Hazard Statements
For clarification when labels are specifically not required contact EHS.
Hazard Communication
Manufacturer Label
Example:
Secondary
Label Example:
All of the information that needs to be placed on
the secondary label can be found on the
compliant manufacturer label.
Hazard Communication
Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)


Safety Data Sheets contain
comprehensive detailed information
about a chemical product
They should be referred to when
additional information beyond what is
carried on the label is needed
Hazard Communication
Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
Information contained on SDS’s is organized
into the following sixteen sections:

Identification


Includes product identifier; manufacturer or
distributer name, address, phone number; emergency
phone number; recommended use; restrictions on use
Hazard(s) Identification

Includes all hazards regarding the chemical; required
label elements
Hazard Communication
Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)

Composition/Information on Ingredients


First-Aid Measures


Includes information on chemical ingredients; trade
secret claims
Includes important symptoms/effects, acute, delayed;
required treatment
Fire-Fighting Measures

Lists suitable extinguishing techniques, equipment;
chemical hazards from fire
Hazard Communication
Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)

Accidental Release Measures


Handling and Storage


Lists emergency procedures; protective equipment;
proper methods of containment and cleanup
Lists precautions for safe handling and storage,
including incompatables
Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

Lists OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL’s);
Threshold Limit Values (TLV’s); appropriate
engineering controls; personal protective equipment
(PPE)
Hazard Communication
Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)

Physical and Chemical Properties


Stability and Reactivity


Lists the chemical’s characteristics
Lists chemical stability and possibility of hazardous
reactions
Toxicological Information

Includes routes of exposure; related symptoms, acute
and chronic effects; numerical measures of toxicity
Hazard Communication
Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)





Ecological Information (non-mandatory)
Disposal Considerations (non-mandatory)
Transport Information (non-mandatory)
Regulatory Information (non-mandatory)
Other Information

Includes the date of preparation or last revision
Question #4
Choose all of the following that are correct:
A.
B.
C.
D.
SDS provides information about personal protective
equipment that should be used according to the
manufacturer
SDS must be read prior to using a hazardous material
by the employee using the chemical
SDS provides information on how to get the best results
out of the product being used
SDS are on the bottle of the chemical
Hazard Communication
How do I find SDS’s?

A printed paper file of SDS’s of commonly
used chemicals should be maintained in a
close-by always accessible location
Go to the EH&S web site:

“Google” your chemical/product or distributor

Call EH&S for assistance.

http://www.fresnostate.edu/ehsrms/
 Click on the “MSDSonline” button and log on with
your Fresno State email ID and password
Hazard Communication
Next steps…


SDS’s must be available to individuals
working with chemicals.
Ensure that you as an individual working
with chemicals receive appropriate training.
Training Completion
Acknowledgement form
Please either print out a copy of this slide or request a
hard copy from your Department Safety Coordinator or
Supervisor. Please sign/date in the spaces provided,
and then forward it to your Department Safety
Coordinator or Supervisor.
I have read the slides presented in the Hazard Communication for NonEmployees Who Routinely Work With Chemicals PowerPoint presentation
and have reviewed any associated department-specific information.
Name (Print)_________________________________________________
Signature ___________________________________________________
Department _________________________________________________
Date _____________________________