Environmental

Health and
Safety
Employee Right
to Know
29 CFR
1910.1200

Hazard
Communication and

Responsibilities
Manufacturers/Importers and
Distributors of hazardous materials:
determine hazards
responsible for quality of hazard determination
communicate hazard information to customer

Employer responsibility

Identify, List Hazardous Chemicals in Workplace

Obtain MSDS's & Labels
Written HAZCOM Program
Provide Information and training to Employees

Communicating
Hazards
Employees must have the knowledge
necessary to understand all sources
of hazard and emergency
information available to them

Material Safety Data Sheets

Manufacturer's Product Labels
Warning Labels
Shipping Labels and Papers

Convey Information
Manufacturers / Distributors
Labels on Containers
MSDS

Employers
Identify, List Hazardous
Chemicals in Workplace
Obtain MSDS's & Labels
Written HAZCOM Program
Provide Info. to Employees

Labels Communicate
Hazards
HMIG(S)
Hazardous Material Identification
Guide (System)

NFPA
National Fire Protection
Association

DOT
Department of Transporation

NFPA vs. HMIS

Both systems have three color-coded
fields to indicate the flammability (red),
health (blue), and reactivity (yellow)
hazards associated with the material.
Both use a system of five numbers,
ranging from 0 to 4, to indicate the
severity of hazard, with 0 being the
least and 4 being the most hazardous.

NFPA vs. HMIS

Differ in the fourth, white field
special handling in the NFPA system
protective equipment in the HMIG system).

HMIS is intended as an HCS compliance tool

employees who must handle hazardous
chemicals in the workplace are the intended
audience

NFPA was designed for first responders.

numbers assigned in the NFPA system assume
that a fire, spill, or emergency is present

Excellent Example: NO WATER ! !

HMIS White Field

Letter indicates
the type of
personal
protection
required by the
employee when
handing and
working with the
labeled material

NFPA White Field

MSDS
material safety data sheet
Identity of the chemical or product
Hazardous ingredients
Physical/chemical characteristics
Fire and explosion hazards
Reactivity data and Health hazards
Precautions (PPE)for safe handling
and use
Disposal