Providing a Safe, Healthy Work Place

Company Commitment #

Your company should be fully committed to providing a safe and healthful work environment for every employee. Sometimes it is necessary for employees to work with or around potentially hazardous substances. In these instances, it is important that employees are aware of the substance’s identity, health and physical properties, and the safe work practices required to minimize potential hazards. To ensure employee health and safety, a written Hazard Communication Program is required.

Company Responsibility #

It is the company’s responsibility to:

• Prepare a list of potentially hazardous substances.
• Ensure that containers are properly labeled.
• Maintain and make available to employees a file of MSDSs for each hazardous substance in the workplace.
• Ensure that employees have the required information and training.
• Develop and implement a written Hazard Communication Program.

Employee Responsibility #

Active employee participation is essential to the success of the Hazard Communication Program. Employees should be alert to the potential hazards of all substances in the workplace, consult the MSDS for specifics about these hazardous substances, and follow the safe work practices that have been established to protect their health and safety.

List of Hazardous Substances #

• Every hazardous substance known to be present in the workplace will be listed on the Hazardous Substance List.
• The name of the substance that appears on this list will be the same as the one that appears on the label and the MSDS for that substance.
• The Hazardous Substance List will be located in an area that is accessible to employees.
• Someone within the company will be responsible for periodically updating this list.

Labeling Containers #

• Each container of a hazardous material used or shipped from your workplace must have a hazard warning label with the following information:
  • Name of the chemical
  • Appropriate hazard warning
  • Name and address of the manufacturer
• Portable or secondary containers shall be labeled in the same manner.
• Someone within the company will ensure that each container has the appropriate information.
• No label should be defaced or removed unless it is immediately marked with the required information. Any container without a label should be reported immediately.
• The name of the chemical on the label will be the same name that appears on the Hazardous Substance List and the MSDS for that substance.

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) #

• A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) containing the information required by the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard will be kept for each substance on the Hazardous Substance List. The MSDSs will be the current edition as supplied by the manufacturer.
• Someone within the company will maintain the MSDS file. The collection of current MSDSs should be in an MSDS manual or binder.
• No hazardous substance will be used in the workplace unless an MSDS has been obtained first and is on file.
• If new and significant health information about any hazardous substance becomes known, a revised MSDS will be obtained and placed in the file. Employees who handle or might be exposed to the substance will be notified of any changes in work procedures or personal protective equipment required to protect their health and safety.

Communicating Hazard Information #

A. To Employees:

1. All employees working with or potentially exposed to hazardous substances will be appropriately informed and trained.
   a. Information includes:
   • Requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard.
   • Location of hazardous substances in the workplace.
   • Location of the written Hazard Communication Program, Hazardous Substance List, and MSDSs.

   b. Training includes:

   • How to detect the presence or release of hazardous substances.
   • Physical and health hazards of hazardous substances.
   • Safe work practices, emergency procedures, and personal protective equipment to minimize exposure to hazardous substances.
   • Explanation of the labeling system, how to read an MSDS, and where to obtain hazard communication information.
2. This information and training will be provided at the time of an employee’s initial assignment to work with or around hazardous substances, or whenever a new hazard is introduced into the work area.
3. Before any non-routine task is performed, employees will be instructed in the potential hazards of the task and informed of the appropriate work practices to be followed.
4. Employees will be informed of hazardous substances in unlabeled pipes and the potential hazards involved in the event of exposure to these substances.

B. To Contractors:

1. Outside contractors will be informed about the hazardous substances they may be exposed to while working in your facility and how to protect themselves.
2. Outside contractors will inform the company about any hazardous substances they may bring into the workplace so that company employees may receive the necessary information and training.
3. Someone within the company will be responsible for the exchange of hazard information with outside contractors.