RADFORD UNIVERSITY

HAZARD COMMUNICATION STANDARD

SAFETY GUIDELINES

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Hazard Communication Standard is to ensure that employees are aware of the hazards of the chemicals they use and how to work safely with those chemicals.

EXEMPTIONS

This standard does not apply to:

• Tobacco, wood, food or alcoholic beverages.
• Drugs administered to patients in solid form such as pills and tablets.
• Any consumer product used in the workplace in the same manner and frequency that it is used at home.
• Radioactive & biological hazards.

REQUIREMENTS

1. A written program must be developed and made accessible to employees.

2. Develop a list of all hazardous chemicals used in your area (except laboratories and warehouses).

3. Ensure that all incoming chemicals are labeled with the name of the chemical, general hazard warnings, and the name and address of the manufacturer. Labels must be in English. Hazard warning information can be any form (words, pictures, or symbols.)

4. Label secondary containers with the name of the chemical and hazard warnings unless the chemical is under the direct control and used only by the employee who poured the chemical and will be used up during the work shift. This requirement does not apply to laboratories.

5. Obtain an MSDS for all hazardous chemicals and ensure they are readily accessible during each work shift to all employees. MSDSs must be sent with the initial shipment and whenever there are any changes in the hazards. If one is not received with the shipment then call the manufacturer. Manufactures must provide MSDSs upon request.

6. Workers can obtain MSDSs during normal hours by calling the Safety Office at 831-7790 or the RU Police Department at 831-5500 after hours or through the internet.

7. Manufacturers can withhold the identity of a chemical as a “trade secret” but must disclose the effects of the chemical on the MSDS.

8. Employees must be trained to identify and work safely with hazardous chemicals. Training must be performed at the time of initial assignment and whenever a new hazard is introduced. Training can cover categories of hazards or specific chemicals.

9. Training must contain the following information:

• Requirements of the Standard
• Methods to detect the presence or release of hazardous chemicals in the work place
• Physical and health hazards of chemicals including symptoms of overexposure
• Proper work practices, emergency procedures, safety equipment, personal protective equipment, and first aid procedures
• Location and explanation of MSDSs

KEY DEFINITIONS

Acute Hazard- a chemical that causes damage in a short time after a single concentrated dose

Carcinogen- a substance that causes cancer

Chronic Hazard- a chemical that is a chronic toxin produces long term effects after repeated exposures to low doses over time.

Combustible- a liquid with a flashpoint greater than 100 F

Corrosive- causes tissue damage and burns on contact with the skin and eyes

Explosive- materials which release a tremendous amount of heat, light and expanding pressure within a very short period of time when subjected to shock, pressure or high temperature

Flammable- a liquid having a flashpoint below 100 F

Flash Point- the lowest temperature at which a liquid will give off sufficient vapors to form an ignitable mixture.

Hazardous chemical - any chemical that posses a threat to human health or safety

Health hazard - a chemical that can cause acute or chronic health effects

Hepatotoxins- cause liver damage

Irritant– causes intense redness or swelling of the skin or eyes on contact, but with no permanent tissue damage

Nephrotoxins- poisonous to kidneys

Neurotoxins- effects the central nervous system

MSDS - provides detailed information about a hazardous chemical. An MSDS contains the following information:

Identity & contact information
Physical & health hazards
Physical properties
PEL, TLV, TWA
Safe handling procedures & PPE
First aid & spill procedures

Mutagen -a substance that causes genetic mutations

Oxidizer- a substance that causes other substances to burn more easily

PEL- permissible exposure limit, established as law by OSHA

Physical Hazards- a chemical that can burn, explode, aid in combustion, or is unstable

Reactive- chemicals that can react or become self-reactive when subjected to shock, pressure or heat

Sensitizers- a material that causes an allergic skin or lung reaction

Teratogen - may cause birth defects

TLV- threshold limit value suggested by ACGIH

Toxic- a chemical that is harmful to living organisms

TWA- the average amount of a chemical most workers can be exposed to over an eight-hour day without adverse effects

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

1. Respect chemical. Most chemicals are harmful to some degree if not handled properly.

2. Read labels and MSDSs to learn about the hazards and safety precautions. Consult the Hazard Communication Manual for additional information on chemicals and safety procedures.

3. Know the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) diamond symbol for identifying hazards:

Blue- health hazard
Red - flammability hazards
Yellow- reactivity hazards
White- other special hazards

The degree of the hazard is represented by a number from 0-4 with 4 being the highest.

4. Use proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Wear gloves, eye protection and respirators as necessary. Your employer is required to supply you with appropriate PPE. Use caution when using disposable latex gloves. These gloves will not provide adequate protection from most chemicals.

5. Don’t eat, drink, or smoke while using chemicals. Never store food and chemicals in the same refrigerator.

6. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the chance of ingestion. Never use solvents to wash your hands

7. Use the least toxic chemical that will still do an adequate job.

8. Don't mix chemicals together unless you know what your 're doing. For example never mix bleach with ammonia.

9. Close containers when not in use to keep vapors out of the air and reduce the chances of a spill.

10. Use adequate ventilation to reduce toxic effects and keep flammable vapors below their explosive limits.

11. Store chemicals properly in cool, dry, well ventilated areas. . Separate acid from bases and flammables from oxidizers. Avoid alphabetizing chemicals. Store corrosives below head height

12. Don’t use unlabeled chemicals and never guess at the identity of a chemical.

13. Properly label secondary containers with the name of the chemical and hazard information.

14. Never pour chemicals down the drain or discard in the trash. Call the Safety Office for proper disposal.

15. Keep flammables and combustibles away from ignition sources. Don't smoke within 20 feet of flammable liquids. Provide fire extinguishers in areas where flammable and combustible liquids are used.

16. Know the symptoms of an overexposure. Stop using the chemical and get out of the area immediately if you
experience any of these symptoms:

Skin rashes
Dizziness
Eye or throat irritation
Strong odors
Headaches

17. Provide eye wash units and safety showers in areas where corrosive chemicals are used.

18. If a chemical splashes in your eyes, flush your eyes with water for 20 minutes. If a chemical burns the skin, flush the chemical off the skin for at least 15 minutes. Brush powder-like chemicals off the skin before flushing.

19. Contact the Safety Office at 831-7790 if you are unsure of the hazards of chemicals you are using or need information concerning proper handling techniques.