GEORGETOWN COUNTY FIRE / EMS
SOG: 409.00
Occupational Safety and Health
Issued: 11/09/2005
Page 1 of 8
Subject: MSDS Station Communications
________________________________________________________________________
Purpose
1.0
The purpose of Georgetown County Fire/EMS Communication Program is to ensure
that the hazards of all chemicals used by GEORGETOWN COUNTY FIRE/EMS are
evaluated and the information concerning chemical hazards is conveyed to the
employees.
1.1
Georgetown County Fire/EMS Hazardous Communications Manual will be used to
inform the employees of what they can do to protect themselves from injury or illness.
1.2
Some of the chemicals do not pose physical or health hazards with in the meaning of
the OSHA standard.
Applicability
2.0
This policy applies to all Georgetown County Fire/EMS personnel who may be exposed
to hazardous chemicals under normal working conditions in or at GEORGETOWN
COUNTY FIRE/EMS stations.
2.1
Refer to the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) for specific information and handling.
The information contained on the MSDS sheet will have the chemical, common name,
first aid treatment if exposed and general handling, operations/extinguishment for fire
hazard and disposal. Use the provided information as needed following MSDS
compliances stated in section 4 and 5.
2.2
Section A. Definitions
Section B. MSDS Station Communications
Section C. Hazardous Materials Identification Station
Section D. Compliances
DEFINITIONS
THIS IS NOT A CONTRACT
3.0
Acute exposure: A single, brief contact with a toxic substance.
3.1
Article: Both the Hazard Communication Standard and EPA’s proposed rules under
section 313 of title III define “article” as a manufactured item that is formed to a specific
shape or design during manufacture.
3.2
Carcinogen: A chemical that is capable of causing cancer. Under the HC Standard of
carcinogen is any chemical that has been found to be a carcinogen by the International
Agency for Research on Cancer.
3.3
Chemical: Any element. Chemical compound mixture of elements and/or compounds.
3.4
Chemical Manufacturer: An employer with workplace where chemicals are produced for
or distribution.
3.5
Chemical Name: The scientific designation chemical in accordance with the
nomenclature system developed by the International Union Pure and Applied Chemistry
(IUPAC) or the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) rules of nomenclature.
3.6
Chronic Exposure: Repeated contact with chemical over a period of time.
3.7
Combustible: Able to catch on fire and burn.
3.8
Common Name: Any designation or identification of a chemical-other that its chemical
name-such as code name, code number, trade name.
3.9
Compressed Gas: A gas or mixture of gas having, in a container. An absolute pressure
exceeding 40 psi at 70F.
3.10
Concentration: The amount of one substance in another substance.
3.11
Container: Any bag, barrel, bottle, box, can, cylinder, drum, and reaction vessel,
storage tank or the like that contains a hazardous chemical.
3.12
Corrosive: A chemical that causes visible destruction or irreversible alterations in living
tissue by chemical action at the site of contact.
3.13
Cutaneous Hazards: Chemicals that affect the dermal layer of the body.
3.14
Dermal: Flash point by or through the skin.
3.15
Dispensability: Able to scatter. Spread about or distribute widely.
3.16
EPA: The United State Environmental Protection Agency
THIS IS NOT A CONTRACT
3.17
Explosive: A chemical that causes a sudden instantaneous release of pressure gases
and heat when subjected to sudden shock, pressure or high temperature.
3.18
Extremely Hazardous Substance: A substance listed under section 302(a)(2) of Title III.
The original list was the same as EPA's Chemical Emergency Preparedness Program (CEPP) list.
Under Title III, revisions to the list must take into account a chemical's toxicity, reactivity, volatility,
dispensability, combustibility or flammability.
3.19
Flammable: Catches fire easily and burns rapidly.
3.20
Flash point: The lowest temperature at which the vapor of a substance will catch on fire
even momentarily, if heat is applied.
3.21
Hazardous Chemical: Any chemical that is a physical hazard or a health hazard
(HC Standard definition)
3.22
Hazard Warning: Any words, pictures or combination thereof appearing on a label or
another appropriate form of warning that convey the hazards.
3.23
Health Hazard: A chemical for which there is statistically significant evidence based on
at least one study conducted in accordance with established scientific principles that
acute or chronic health effects may occur in exposed employees.
3.24
Irritant: A chemical that is not corrosive that causes a reversible inflammatory effect on
living tissue by chemical action at the site of contact.
3.25
Material Safety Data Sheet: Written or printed material concerning a hazardous
chemical that includes information on the chemical's identity; physical and chemical
characteristics; health hazards; primary routes of entry; exposure limits; whether the
chemical is a carcinogen; precautions for safe handling and use; control measures;
emergency and first aid procedures; and the name, address, and telephone number of
the manufacturer, importer or employer distributing the MSDS.
3.26
Neurotoxins: Agents that damage the nervous system.
3.27
Organic Peroxide:. An organic compound contains a bivalent structure and that is to be
considered to be a structural derivative of hydrogen peroxide where one or both of the
hydrogen atoms has been replaced by an organic radical.
3.28
Oxidizer: A chemical other than a blasting or explosive that initiates or promotes
combustion in other material, thereby causing fire either by itself or through the release
of oxygen or other gases.
THIS IS NOT A CONTRACT
3.29
Physical Hazard: A chemical for which it scientifically valid evidence that it is a
combustible liquid, a compressed gas, explosive, flammable, organic peroxide, an
oxidizer, pyrotechnically unstable.
3.30
Reactive: See "Unstable"
3.31
Sensitizer: A chemical that causes a substantial proportion of exposed people or
animals to develop an allergic reaction in normal tissue after repeated exposure.
3.32
Toxic: Causing acute or chronic injury to the human body, or suspected of being able to
cause disease or injury under some conditions. The HC Standard defines "toxic" and
"highly toxic" specifically by the chemical's median lethal dose and median lethal
concentration for laboratory animal. (See Appendix A of the HC Standard in Appendix
3(f).)
3.33
Toxic Chemical: A chemical or chemical category listed under section 313(c) of Title III.
(See Appendix 3(d), 372.45). A chemical may be added to the list if it is known to cause
or can reasonably likely to exist beyond facility site boundaries as a result of continuous
or frequently occurring releases.
3.34
Unstable (Reactive): A chemical that in the pure state, or as produces or transported,
will vigorously polymerize, decompose, condense, or will become self reactive under
conditions of shocks, pressure or temperature.
3.35
Vapor: The gas given off by a solid or liquid substance at ordinary temperatures.
SECTION B: MSDS STATION COMMUNICATIONS
4.0
GEORGETOWN COUNTY FIRE/EMS’s Written Hazard Communication Program will
be available to all employees, their representatives and OSHA officials. Copies of the
written program can be obtained from the GEORGETOWN COUNTY FIRE/EMS
Hazardous Communication Officer.
4.1
Further information on this written program, the Hazard Communication program,
applicable Material Data Safety Sheets (MSDS), or chemical information lists can be
obtained from the Hazard Communication Officer Captain Harry Avant.
4.2
The station communications sheet is used for the purpose of stating the correct and
proper storage, labeling and information posting.
4.3
MSDS (Material Data Safety Sheets):
THIS IS NOT A CONTRACT
4.3.1 Contains all information for the purpose of identification, handling of all chemical
products that are used by the Georgetown County Fire/EMS and will be in plain
view at or near the entrance to all GEORGETOWN COUNTY FIRE/EMS station
bays.
4.3.2 The MSDS contains specific information on each chemical product for the
purpose of:
- Identity
- Hazardous Ingredients / Identity Information
- Physical/chemical characteristics
- Fire and Explosion hazard data
- Specific hazards/reactivity data
- Health Hazard data
- Precautions for safe handling and use
- Control measures
4.3.3 An up to date listing of all chemicals/materials used with in the department will be
kept on file or posted in the station in which they are present.
4.4
Section I- Identity.
The MSDS must have the name, address, and telephone number of the chemical
manufacturer, importer, employer and other responsible party preparing the MSDS who
can give further up to date information, hazards and emergency procedures.
4.5
Section II- Hazardous Ingredients/ Identity Information
This section must include the chemical and common names of hazardous ingredients.
For mixtures that have been tested as a whole, only the ingredients found to be
hazardous must be listed.
4.6
The one exception to listing the chemical names or common names of the hazardous
ingredients, according to the OSHA, is if the manufactures claims and is able to
document it it’s a trade secret. In this case, they must state on the MSDS that the
identity of the ingredients is a trade secret.
4.7
Section III- Physical/Chemical Characteristics
This section should include information on boiling point, melting point, vapor pressure,
vapor density, solubility in water, specific gravity, percent volatile, evaporation rate,
appearance, and odor. Sometimes the pH is included for aqueous solutions.
4.8
Section IV- Fire and explosion Hazard Data
This section has information on the flammability of the product, on types of fire
extinguishers needed and other special precautions. This data is important when
planning for emergencies.
4.9
Section V- Reactivity Data
THIS IS NOT A CONTRACT
This section tells you about the products compatibility with other chemicals and special
conditions to avoid. The stability of the product indicates whether the product can
decompose and what conditions can do this. The incompatibility section tells what
chemicals can react with the product. A hazardous decomposition product tells you
what hazardous chemicals can be produced when the product is heated or burned. The
hazardous polymerization section tells you whether the product can polymerize and
what conditions can cause this.
4.10
Section VI- Health Hazard Data
This section tells you the routes (skin contact, inhalation, ingestion) by which the
product can either enter the body, the symptoms of over exposure, acute and chronic
health effects, emergency first aid measures and carcinogenicity. The MSDS sheet
should also list any medical conditions that could be aggravated by exposure to the
product.
4.11
Section VII- Precautions for safe handling
Use this section for information on spill control, waste disposal, storage, handling
precautions and other special precautions such as PPE, and training.
4.12
Section VIII- Control Measures
This section will have information about the correct respirators, ventilation and other
personal protective equipment.
The respirator section will recommend the correct cartridge and mask that should be
used. The ventilation section should tell you whether general mechanical ventilation
(dilution ventilation) is sufficient, or if the local exhaust ventilation is recommended and
what type. This section should also list other recommended personal protective
equipment such as gloves, goggles and protective clothing.
Section C. Hazardous Materials Classification Station
5.0
The Hazardous Materials Communication Station is used for the purpose of proper
numerical hazard labeling of all non-packaged/repackaged chemical products with in
the Georgetown County Fire/EMS buildings. These stations will be visible at or close the
bay entrance. All labels and tags will be found at these stations.
5.1
All identifiable substances will be labeled with a Materials Classification label and
Manufacturer information label.
THIS IS NOT A CONTRACT
5.2
All information for proper hazardous classification labeling will be entered on the
appropriate color classification Health hazard (blue), Fire hazard (red), Reactivity
(yellow) and Specific Hazard (White).
5.3
All information listed on MSDS sheets shall be copied to the Hazardous Materials
Classification label using the 4 listed classifications (above) along with company name,
contact phone number, and chemical/trade name.
5.4
References for proper classification are provided on the Hazardous Materials
Classification station.
5.5
Any substances that cannot be identified shall not be labeled and be disposed of with in
the context of OSHA regulations and GEORGETOWN COUNTY FIRE/EMS protocols.
5.6
Material Data Safety Sheets will be used to verify label information. Labels will not be
removed or defaced as long as the container still holds material.
5.7
The minimum information necessary on any chemical container is the complete identity
of the substance as it appears on the MSDS and a list of appropriate hazard and
precautionary warnings.
5.8
Chemicals must be stored according to their classifications in order to keep
incompatible materials separated. Flammables, oxidizers, corrosives, and toxics should
be stored in separate areas.
5.9 Materials classified as hazardous chemicals that are not suitable for sink or regular trash
disposal and must be managed as hazardous wastes. Consult the MSDS, or the Hazard
Communication Coordinator for further information on the disposal of specific materials.
Section D. Compliance’s
6.0
Follow all procedures and policies relating to use, transportation, storage and disposal
of hazardous materials.
6.1
Direct any questions about handling or disposal are to be directed to the station officer,
a Hazard Materials Technician or the MSDS/OSHA compliance officer.
6.2
All hazardous conditions, material spills or spills of unknown origin with in the station will
be immediately reported to the station officer for the immediate handling and disposal
with in the context of OSHA regulations.
6.3
Report all job related injuries or illnesses to their supervisor immediately after seeking
treatment.
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6.4
Refrain from the operation of any equipment involving chemicals without proper
instruction and authorization.
6.5
Wear or use the prescribed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
6.6
All substances used with in the Georgetown County Fire/EMS shall be stored in the
approved designated areas.
6.7
No substances are to be left in a non-stored area when not being used.
6.8
No substances will be stored or used without identification and/or proper labeling.
6.9
All flammable liquids will be stored in the flammable storage cabinet (in stations) and/or
steel self-closing flammable liquid containers on the engines.
THIS IS NOT A CONTRACT