Hazard Communication

HAZCOM Standard OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200

Developed by T. Michael Self, CPEA (Health & Safety) Southeast District

Course Goal
The basic goal of a Hazard Communication Program is to be sure employers and employees know about work hazards and how to protect themselves; this should help to reduce the incidence of chemical source illness and injuries.

HAZCOM . . .
OSHA has estimated that more than 32 million workers are exposed to 650,000 hazardous chemical products in more than 3 million American workplaces.*

Does this pose a serious problem for exposed workers and their employers
What do you think?
* OSHA.gov

What Does This Standard Do?

The HCS provides workers the right-toknow concerning the hazards and the identities of the chemicals they are, or may have the potential to be, exposed to in the workplace.*

* OSHA.gov

Seven Steps To Safety Success

Training

HAZCO M
Coordinator

Inventory

Labeling

MSDS

Plan
Assessmen t

Hazard Assessment Develop a written HAZCOM Plan Appointment of a HAZCOM Coordinator Conduct the chemical inventory Initiate labeling requirements Maintain the MSDS library Establish employee training

General Information
Effective May 23, 1988, OSHA regulations

require that employees be made aware of hazardous substances in the workplace.

In general, each employee should be

appraised of the hazardous properties of chemicals that they may encounter along with measures to take to protect themselves from these chemicals.

Hazard Determination
The standard requires that employers

inventory all hazardous chemicals in the workplace and include that inventory as a part of the written hazard communication program. master list for which a MSDS must be obtained and maintained.

This inventory will eventually serve as a

What Are Some Of The Hazardous Materials?

Explosives Gases Flammable Liquids Flammable Solids Oxidizers Organic Peroxides Toxic Materials Infectious Substances Radioactive Materials Corrosive Materials

Hazard Class 1 Explosives

Division 1.1 Explosives with a mass explosion hazard Division 1.2 Explosives with a projection hazard Division 1.3 Explosives with predominantly a fire hazard Division 1.4 Explosives with no significant blast hazards Division 1.5 Very insensitive explosives i.e. blasting agents Division 1.6 Extremely insensitive detonating articles

Hazard Class 2 Gases

Division 2.1 Flammable

Gases Division 2.2 Nonflammable, non-toxic compressed gasses Division 2.3 Gases toxic (poisonous) by inhalation Division 2.4 Corrosive gases (Canada)

Oxygen Acetylene Nitrogen Chlorine

Hazard Class 3 Flammable Liquids

Includes combustible

liquids [U.S.]

Solvent Based Paints Mastics & Adhesives Pipe Joint Compounds Sealant Cleaning Solvents Glues Paint Strippers

Hazard Class 4 Flammable Solids

Spontaneously combustible materials

Dangerous when wet materials

Substances Liable to Spontaneous Combustion; Substances which, in Contact with Water, Emit Flammable Gases

Hazard Class 5
Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxide
Division 5.1 Oxidizers - A substance that yields oxygen

readily to stimulate the combustion of certain other substances.

Division 5.2 Organic Peroxides - A derivative of

hydrogen peroxide in which part of the hydrogen has been replaced by an organic peroxide

Hazard Class 6 Toxic Materials

Division 6.1 Toxic Materials

Division 6.2 Infectious Substances

Hazard Class 7 Radioactive Materials

Hazard Class 8 Corrosive Materials

A liquid or solid that causes visible

destruction or irreversible damage to skin tissue at the point of contact, pH that has a severe corrosion rate on steel

Similar to RCRA corrosive

definition but does not include specific pH thresholds

Develop a written HAZCOM Plan

What needs to be in

this plan?

I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII IX. X.

POLICY PURPOSE RESPONSIBILITY MATERIALS, INVENTORY, AUDITS MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDS) LABELS AND LABELING INFORMATION AND TRAINING NON-ROUTINE WORK OR TASKS INFORMING CONTRACTORS PROGRAM MAINTENANCE - OTHER FUNCTIONS

HAZCOM Coordinator

Just what does this

person do?

Conduct The Chemical Inventory

Explosives Gases Flammable Liquids Flammable Solids Oxidizers Organic Peroxides Toxic Materials Infectious Substances Radioactive Materials Corrosive Materials

Initiate Labeling Requirements

In-plant containers of hazardous chemicals must be labeled, tagged, or marked with the identity of the material and appropriate hazard warnings.

MSDS
Chemical manufacturers and importers are

required to obtain or develop a material safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical they produce or import. Distributors are responsible for ensuring that their customers are provided a copy of these MSDSs. Employers must have an MSDS for each hazardous chemical which they use.*

* OSHA.gov

Establish Employee Training

Each employee who may be "exposed" to hazardous chemicals when working must be provided information and trained prior to initial assignment to work with a hazardous chemical, and whenever the hazard changes.

Employee Responsibilities
Know where to get information about

hazardous substances used, stored, or handled at your inspection sites. Learn to read labels and understand MSDSs. Identify hazards before you begin a task. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Use personal protective equipment.

Practice Safe Work Habits At All Times!

Non-Routine Tasks
Supervisors should ensure that employees are informed of potential chemical, biological, and physical hazards associated with the performance of any non-routine tasks along with appropriate personal protective measures.

Determination of Hazards and Personal Protective Equipment

Job Hazard Analysis Activity Hazard Analysis Job Safety Analysis

Hazard Recognition
Look at the BIG picture!

CONFINED SPACES BIOHAZARDS

TREATMENT UNITS

FLAMMABLES

AIRBORNE MATERIALS CHEMICALS LABORATORIES

PHYSICAL HAZARDS

HAZARD RECOGNITION MEANS:

THINK

understand normal operations & equipment, understand hazards, use imagination: what could happen? be aware of surroundings and nearby activities unlikely doesnt mean impossible

PAY ATTENTION

DONT DISREGARD POSSIBILITIES

USE COMMON SENSE

getting away with it so far doesnt make it safe or smart to do

Case Studies . . .
New York City Sanitation, November 1996
Michael Hanly, trash collector, killed while standing behind his truck as 70% hydrofluoric acid gas escaped from containers under compaction

City workers in another location find six plastic jugs of hydrofluoric acid placed curbside with recyclables

NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluations 1994

air samples from solids handling buildings & headworks; 3 different WWTPs in 2 cities in Missouri, 1 sampled in spring, 2 in fall

Results:

hydrogen sulfide: BDL up to 95 ppm

(NIOSH limit 10 ppm, OSHA limit 20 ppm)

> 45 other VOCs, mostly below NIOSH/OSHA limits: toluene methyl ethyl ketone dimethyl sulfide trichloroethanes dimethyl sulfoxide 2-butanol dimethyl trisulfide 3-methyl 2-butanol

Palm Springs Police September 1995

Contractor spray painting; 2

dispatch center employees unconscious, 20 more exposed. Blood tests detect benzene and trimethylbenzene. dispatch 5-6 hours after hospital warns of health hazard. Dewalt later develops pulmonary, nervous system, cardiovascular, and musculo-skeletal problems. termed negligent, however, he was finally awarded WC.

Sgt. C. Dewalt remains to operate

Benefits were in dispute; Dewalt

FDEP Site Investigation November 1996

FDEP Staff sample site contaminated with Benlate fungicide and its breakdown product, butyl isocyanate gas.
No information about possible hazardous exposures provided to staff; no PPE used.

Employees suffered nosebleeds and skin irritation onsite, but did not leave.

Facility Inspector Illness 1991

Inspector encounters splashing droplets and mist

from mixer at raw influent end of treatment system. No PPE provided or used, no signs, no abatement measures taken. Inspector develops lung infection approx. 2 weeks later, becomes hospitalized, infection cant be identified so source is unconfirmed. Workers Comp denied.

Hazard Recognition Heat Stress

An employee experiences heat stress while investigating the derailment of a CSX freight train. The employee had to dress out in Level C (saranex suit) because the derailment released 40,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide. The derailment was located in a boggy area which necessitated him to trudge through thick mud and undergrowth; the weather was hot and humid. After about 30 minutes, the employee experienced weakness and lightheadedness. He was treated by EMS at the scene for electrolyte depletion and returned to duty that day.

HAZCOM Summary
Protection under OSHA's HAZCOM Standard (HCS) includes all workers exposed to hazardous chemicals in all industrial sectors. This standard is based on a simple concept - that employees have both a need and a right to know the hazards and the identities of the chemicals they are exposed to when working. They also need to know what protective measures are available to prevent adverse effects from occurring.

Thats All, Folks!

Developed by T. Michael Self, CPEA (Health & Safety) Southeast District