OSHA Long Term Care Worker Protection Program
Recognize the purpose of the hazard communication standard.
Describe the components of a hazard communication program.
Discuss the application of this standard in your workplace settings.
About 32 million workers work with and are potentially exposed to one or more chemical hazards.
There are approximately 650,000 existing chemical products, and hundreds of new ones being introduced annually.
Chemical exposure may cause or contribute to many serious health effects such as heart ailments, central nervous system damage, kidney and lung damage, sterility, cancer, burns, and rashes.
Some chemicals may also be safety hazards and have the potential to cause fires and explosions.
1. To make sure that the hazards of
chemicals are evaluated.
2. To assure that the information
concerning the hazards is
communicated to employers and
employees.
A hazardous chemical, as defined by the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), is any chemical which can cause a physical or a health hazard.
This determination is made by the chemical manufacturer, as described in 29 CFR 1910.1200(d).
OSHA’s Hazard Communication (HazCom) standard
applies to general industry, shipyard, marine
terminals, longshoring, and construction employment
and covers chemical manufacturers, importers,
employers, and employees exposed to chemical
hazards.
Horizontal
The Hazard Communication
Standard (HCS) is based on a
simple concept--that employees
have both a need and a right to
know the hazards and identities
of the chemicals they are
exposed to when working.
Employees need to know what protective measures are available to prevent adverse effects from occurring.
The HCS is designed to provide employees with the information they need.
MSDS
Employers are required to provide information to employees about the hazardous chemicals to which they are exposed using:◦A hazard communication program.◦ Labels and other forms of warnings.◦Material safety data sheets (MSDS).◦ Information and education.
Standard Exemptions
• Any hazardous waste subject to regulations issued under that Act by the Environmental Protection Agency;
• Tobacco or tobacco products;• Wood or wood products, that the only hazard they pose to
employees is the potential for flammability or combustibility (wood treated with covered chemicals are not exempt);
• Drugs, cosmetics, consumer products, nuisance particulates that pose no hazard, radiation, and biological agents.
Employers must develop a written program that covers
at least:◦ Labels and other forms of warnings
◦Material Safety Data Sheets
◦Employee Information and Training
All workplaces where employees are
exposed to hazardous chemicals must
have a written plan.
The plan does not have to be lengthy
or complicated.
The written program must cover at least:◦A list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present at the
facility along with MSDS’s for each chemical.
◦ The methods the employer will use to inform employees
of the hazards non-routine tasks.
◦ The hazards of chemicals in unlabeled pipes.
The employer must make the written program available, upon request, to: ◦Employees and their designated representatives
If work is carried out at more than one location, the program may be kept at the main location.
The employer must ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked with the following:
◦ Identity of the hazardous chemical
◦Appropriate hazard warnings This above labeling information is required of the
manufacturer so the employer must ensure that the original labels from the manufacturer are on all containers and remain legible.
This Unlabeled container does not
meet the labelingexemption requirement
Must be in English and include information regarding the specific chemical identity and common names.
Must provide information about the:◦Physical and chemical characteristics◦Health effects◦Exposure limits◦Carcinogenicity (cancer-causing)◦ Identification (name, address, and telephone number) of
the organization responsible for preparing the sheet◦General control measures, including PPE◦Exposure occurs: emergency and first aid procedures
Physical hazards, such as fire and explosion Health hazards, such as signs of exposure Routes of exposure Precautions for safe handling and use Emergency and first-aid procedures Control measures
Prepared by the chemical manufacturer or importer and describe:
Let’s look at one example. Please find the chemical and trade name. Primary route of entry? What are the health effects? Exposure limits? General control measures? If I am exposed, what are the emergency and first
aid procedures?
MSDS’s must be readily accessible to all employees in their work area.
1910.1200 (g) (8)
Manufacturers, importers, distributors and employers who become newly aware of significant information regarding chemical hazards shall:◦Revise the labels for the chemical within three
months.
◦Revise the MSDS for the chemical within three months.
One difference between this rule and many others adopted by
OSHA is that this one is performance-oriented.
That means that you have the flexibility to adapt the rule to the
needs of your workplace, rather than having to follow specific,
rigid requirements.
Refer to 1910.1200 Appendix E
Compile a complete list of the potentially hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
Determine if you have received material safety data sheets for all of them.
If any are missing, contact the supplier and request one.
Do not allow employees to use any chemicals for which you have not received an MSDS.
If employees of other employers could be exposed to
hazardous chemicals the program must include:
◦Methods to provide contractor employees with on-site
access to MSDS for each chemical those workers may be
exposed to.
◦The methods used to inform other employers of any
precautionary measures to be taken for normal and
emergency situations.
◦The employer’s chemical labeling system.
◦Examples in healthcare?
Employers must provide employees information
and education on hazardous chemicals in their
work area:◦At the time of their initial assignment;
◦Whenever a new physical or health hazard the
employees have not previously been trained about is
introduced into their work area.
Education may cover categories of hazards.
Employers must inform employees:◦Of the training requirements of this section (1910.1200 (h)
Employee information and training.);
◦Any operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals are present;
◦ The location and availability of the written hazard communication program.
Employee education shall include at least:◦ The means to detect the presence or release of a hazardous
chemical in the work area;◦ The physical and health hazards of chemicals in the work area;◦Measures employees can take to protect themselves;◦PPE if appropriate;◦Details of the employers’ specific program.
If there are only a few chemicals in the workplace, then you may want to discuss each one individually.
Where there are large numbers of chemicals, or the chemicals change frequently, you will probably want to train generally based on the hazard categories (e.g., flammable liquids, corrosive materials, carcinogens).
Cleaning supplies/solutions Large volume liquids in storage Oxygen Acetone Paint, paint thinner Formaldehyde Others?
Individuals bringing chemical/hazardous materials into the workplace…..cleaning solutions, etc.
Covering manufacturer labels. Pouring hazardous materials into an unmarked
container, one that is not going to be used immediately.
Hazardous materials in all areas….need all employees involved and trained.
The rule does not require employers
to maintain records of employee
training, but many employers choose
to do so.
This can help in monitoring a Hazard
Communication program to ensure
that all employees are appropriately
trained.
Hazard Communication
Think safety, not just compliance!