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Worker and Community Right to Know Act

Enacted October 4, 1984

Gives employees access to information about hazardous substances

Seven Important Provisions of the Right to Know Act

1. Creates a list of 2336 chemicals that are defined as hazardous substances

Seven Important Provisions of the Right to Know Act, continued…

2. Requires that a list of hazardous substances used at your campus be posted where you work

Seven Important Provisions of the Right to Know Act, continued…

3. Requires that the list be made available to you

Seven Important Provisions of the Right to Know Act, continued…

4. Requires that a MSDS (material safety data sheet) for each substance be made readily accessible to you. The MSDS tells you about the hazards of a substance and what you can do to reduce those hazards

Seven Important Provisions of the Right to Know Act, continued…

5. Requires labeling of hazardous substances to identify hazardous ingredients

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6. Requires the employer to provide an initial and annual training program for employees who may be exposed to any of the 2336 listed substances

Seven Important Provisions of the Right to Know Act, continued…

7. Allows you to refuse to work with a hazardous substance if we fail to provide you or your representative with an MSDS, or fail to furnish proof of a diligent effort to obtain the MSDS

Right to Know Act Exemptions Chemicals used in

research, teaching and testing laboratories, or chemical storage areas are not required to be on the list of hazardous substances.

Right to Know Act Exemptions

Substances bought for personal use or consumption such as foodstuffs, cosmetics, tobacco and prescriptions are not required to be listed.

About the MSDS

Section OneManufacturer’s name, address, emergency

telephone numberChemical name, trade name, synonyms,

chemical abstract service number (CAS#)The CAS number is a unique number assigned to each

chemical (similar to a social security number) that helps differentiate between chemicals with similar names

MSDS

Section Two: Hazardous IngredientsLists hazardous ingredients and the percentage

of each in the substanceTLV (Threshold Limit Value), the concentration of

a substance believed to be safe for a person to be exposed to for 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week. Established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) May also be listed as a OSHA PEL (Permissible Exposure

Limit) or a NIOSH REL (Recommended Exposure Limit)

MSDS

Section Two: Hazardous IngredientsExposure Limits are typically expressed in parts

per million (ppm)For comparison purposes:

1 part per million = 1 inch in 16 miles

MSDS

Section Three: Physical Data Physical Characteristics

State of matter (solid, liquid, gas) Color Odor Taste (not generally a good idea!)

Boiling point (temperature where material begins to boil) Vapor pressure (Measure of evaporation rate) Vapor density (Sink or rise in air?) Solubility (Dissolve in water?) Specific gravity (Sink or float in water?) Volatility (Tells how much will evaporate) Evaporation rate (high # = evaporate fast)

MSDS

Section Four: Fire & Explosion Hazard Data

flash pointextinguishing mediaspecial fire fighting proceduresunusual hazards

General Classes of Chemicals

Corrosives/irritantsEx. Drano (which contains Sodium Hydroxide),

Sulfuric acid, Ammonia

Poisons/toxicsIncludes potassium cyanide, mercury, and

hydrogen sulfide (sewer gas)

Flammable/ignitableSodium metal, gasoline, hydrogen gas

MSDS

Section 5: Exposure & Health EffectsCan cause harm in a variety of waysDoes not always have harmful effectsFactors determine whether you will be harmed:

concentration of the substancepersonal susceptibility to the substancehow contact with the substance occurs

Possible Effects from Exposure

Acute - immediate reaction to short term exposure

Chronic - develop slowly over a long period of time

Carcinogen - causes cancer

Mutagen - causes a change in the genetic material in human cells

Teratogen - causes damage to a fetus

Contact

Breathingnasal and lung irritantsabsorb into bloodstream

Skinskin irritationallergic reactionabsorbed directly into bloodstream (ex.

Gasoline)

Contact continued…Swallowing

Can happen by handling chemicals then eating without washing your hands.

So always remember to wash your hands directly after being exposed to hazardous chemicals.

MSDS

Section Six: Chemical Reactivitystabilitydangers when combining with other common

substanceshazardous substances produced from burning or

heatedconditions to avoid during storage

MSDSSection Seven

steps to take in case of a spill or leakhandling precautionsany special methods of disposalIn the event of any spill or leak, immediate

contact information

MSDSSection Eight: Protective

Equipmentrespiratorsgloves, boots, lab coats, coveralls,

jump suitssplash gogglessafety glassesEmergency drench shower and

eyewash station

MSDS

Section Nine: Special handling precautionsIncludes information about the environment in

which the substance should be stored. Dry?Warm or Cool?Electrically grounded?Away from sunlight?Other special controls?

How to Get MSDSs

Each Station, the Administration office and the Fire Shop, should have copies of the MSDS sheets for the items in that facility.

Conclusion

Always read labels and follow the instructions on them

You should know about the potential hazards of substances in your workplace.

Working together we can make our workplace as safe as possible

If you are unable to identify the product or locate a MSDS sheet, contact your station/shift safety representative.

Shared by Monroe Fire Department