ENERGY INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS: MODULE 2, UNIT C — HAZARDS AND RESPONSES


Most Hazardous Materials under the Hazard
Communication Standards are mixtures
Evaluate the material based on either the most
hazardous ingredient or the ingredient that
represents the largest percentage of the mixture
ENERGY INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS: MODULE 2, UNIT C — HAZARDS AND RESPONSES
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
are one of the most important tools
available to employers
for providing information and protection
to workers from hazardous chemicals
which are used in the workplace.
ENERGY INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS: MODULE 2, UNIT C — HAZARDS AND RESPONSES
Identity of the chemical
Control measures
Physical and chemical
characteristics
Emergency procedures
Physical hazards
Whether the hazardous
chemical is listed in the National
Toxicology Program Annual
Report on Carcinogens
Chemical hazards
Precautions for safe handling
and use
Primary routes of entry
Date of preparation
PEL’s or other exposure limits
Name, address and
telephone of the
manufacturer
ENERGY INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS: MODULE 2, UNIT C — HAZARDS AND RESPONSES
Most Hazardous Ingredient
Permissible Exposure Limit
(PEL): Lower the PEL, the
more hazardous the
material
Carcinogens:
Materials containing >1.0%
carcinogens should be
replaced
vs. Largest Percentage
Solutes or propellants like
CO2, or H20 or N2, represent
less hazard
Hazardous ingredients in
minimal percentage: may
wish to use a less
hazardous ingredient in
a larger percentage instead
ENERGY INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS: MODULE 2, UNIT C — HAZARDS AND RESPONSES
ENERGY INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS: MODULE 2, UNIT C — HAZARDS AND RESPONSES
Rate of Exposure
vs.
How much material is
processed over what time
period?
Environmental Conditions
Natural and forced ventilation,
temperature, humidity
The greater the rate of
These conditions effect a
exposure, the greater the
materials ability to disperse
effects related to the chemical
ENERGY INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS: MODULE 2, UNIT C — HAZARDS AND RESPONSES




Specific Gravity (SG) is a ratio of the density of a
material to the density of water at 4 o C
If this ratio is <1, the substance floats
The human body is 70% water
SG>1 are detected more quickly by the body than
SG<1
ENERGY INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS: MODULE 2, UNIT C — HAZARDS AND RESPONSES
If the material is a carcinogen, which
is more hazardous? SG < 1or > 1?
SG>1 because it usually enters the body more
deeply and can reside there
ENERGY INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS: MODULE 2, UNIT C — HAZARDS AND RESPONSES
Density is the amount of substance per unit
volume. Vapor Density is the ratio of a
volume of gas (vapor) to an equal volume of
air
 If VDchem/VDair < 1 , then the substance
displaces air

ENERGY INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS: MODULE 2, UNIT C — HAZARDS AND RESPONSES
Nitrogen has a vapor density of 0.967,
yet we breathe it every day. Under
what conditions would it be
hazardous?
Nitrogen is not a toxic gas, but it displaces air
and is a simple asphyxiate. If the product is
used in a confined space where it will displace
the consumer’s oxygen, then it is very
hazardous.
ENERGY INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS: MODULE 2, UNIT C — HAZARDS AND RESPONSES
Flash point: the point at which liquid gives off
vapors that can ignite
 Boiling point: the point at which liquid gives
off vapors
 Flash point must be interpreted with respect
to boiling point--A material must boil and
release vapors before it can ignite

ENERGY INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS: MODULE 2, UNIT C — HAZARDS AND RESPONSES

MSDS assumes worst case scenario
 For example: overexposure to water cause drowning

If any sign or symptom of overexposure is
experienced, then the exposure is approaching
the PEL
 The situation must be reconsidered
 PPE must be identified and applied
ENERGY INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS: MODULE 2, UNIT C — HAZARDS AND RESPONSES

MSDS assumes worst case scenario
 May not apply to the intended exposure under the
normal operating conditions

Example:
 A popular brand of rubber cement specifies an
impervious apron and goggles as the required PPE


When identifying PPE, must consider intended
exposure and normal operating conditions
Any questions, call the manufacturer for
guidance
ENERGY INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS: MODULE 2, UNIT C — HAZARDS AND RESPONSES
Example of PPE Codes:
A
Safety Glasses
B
Safety Glasses and Gloves
C
Safety Glasses, Gloves, and
Apron
D
Face Shield, Gloves and
Aprons
Many MSDS use the HMIG system to identify
required PPE. It is based on system
developed by the US Army
ENERGY INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS: MODULE 2, UNIT C — HAZARDS AND RESPONSES
Commonly observed Precautions:
 Storage
 Keep dry
 Emergency Conditions
 Assume that ingredients will emit toxic smoke
 Standard Operating Conditions
 Ventilation
ENERGY INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS: MODULE 2, UNIT C — HAZARDS AND RESPONSES
The introduction of a new chemical must be
assessed with respect to present chemicals:
1. EPA Compatibility Chart
2. Internet Resources
3. The Manufacturer
ENERGY INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS: MODULE 2, UNIT C — HAZARDS AND RESPONSES

The Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) is a law
intended to evaluate all materials before the
public encounters them
 TSCA includes a list of all materials already
evaluated.
 In the MSDS, under Regulatory Information, the
chemical should be on the TSCA list
ENERGY INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS: MODULE 2, UNIT C — HAZARDS AND RESPONSES
If a material is regulated by several laws, like:
 Clean Water Act
 Resource Conservation & Recovery Act
 Superfund Amendment Reauthorization Act
 Safe Drinking Water Act
then it probably is hazardous and an alternative
should be identified
ENERGY INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS: MODULE 2, UNIT C — HAZARDS AND RESPONSES
In the MSDS, the most common disposal method is to
 “Dispose of in accordance with local ordinances”
 This means the material or substance can be disposed
of in municipal garbage
Remember:
 If it is a liquid, pour it down the appropriate drain
to the waste treatment plant
 If it is a solid, put it in the dumpster
ENERGY INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS: MODULE 2, UNIT C — HAZARDS AND RESPONSES
Carbonated soft drinks, like Mountain Dew and Coca
Cola, are very acidic and create the release of
contaminants in landfills. For evidence, just look around
the base of a dumpster or roll off in a public parking lot.
NEVER DISPOSE OF LIQUIDS IN THE SOLID
WASTE!
A liquid will promote the leaching (release) of toxic
materials from the solid waste stream.
ENERGY INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS: MODULE 2, UNIT C — HAZARDS AND RESPONSES




There is no uniform or single form for MSDS
It seems that every manufacturer has its own
format
As long as the MSDS addresses the required
information, it is legal
When information is missing, use the non
emergency phone contact number to ask
for the data
ENERGY INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS: MODULE 2, UNIT C — HAZARDS AND RESPONSES
The Internet
 Call the vendor who sold the material
 Call the manufacturer

 On labeling of most consumer products, there is a phone
number for questions about the product.
 If no number, the label must give the manufacturer’s name
and address; search for the manufacturer’s contact
information on the website

Employer probably has the MSDS on file.
ENERGY INDUSTRY FUNDAMENTALS: MODULE 2, UNIT C — HAZARDS AND RESPONSES