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The OSHA standards help employers understand regulations and ensure employee safety, and is composed of five key elements. These five key elements are:
This is a list of the hazardous materials present in your work area. When creating your inventory, be sure to:
This is a detailed description of each hazardous material listed in the Materials Inventory. The Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) aims to standardize how workplaces define hazards related to a chemical, classify them and then communicate the hazards and relevant protective measures on labels and safety data sheets. As such, SDSs are required to contain 16 sections (four of which aren’t mandatory) and OSHA mandates that they should include:
Safety data sheets must be available for all of the hazardous materials present in a work area and the information provided in them should be helpful and easily accessible to anyone who needs to get it quickly.
Containers of hazardous materials must have labels which identify the material and warn of its potential hazard to employees. Employers purchasing chemicals rely on the manufacturer to supply the proper label on the chemical container. Chemical manufacturers, importers, and distributors must be sure that containers of hazardous chemicals leaving the workplace are labeled, tagged, or marked with:
If the chemical is transferred to another container, the employer is responsible for properly labeling the new container.
All employees who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals in the workplace must be trained to identify and work safely with hazardous materials before their initial assignment and whenever the hazard changes. Train employees by:
Further, employees must have information about where to find SDSs in the workplace, who in the company is responsible for the HazCom program, and where to get copies.
A written program must be developed if your company makes use of or produces hazardous chemicals. The plan should include steps to ensure that all workers are familiar with the risks involved in chemical handling and understand the labeling and symbols associated with each type of chemical hazard. The written program must include labeling, materials inventory, safety data sheets and training, and should be implemented, maintained and readily available to employees. In addition, reviews and revisions are required on a regular basis to address changing conditions such as new chemicals or new PPE. Remember, the purpose of the Hazard Communication Program is to reduce the likelihood of illness and injury related to chemical exposure. As the employer, you are responsible for increasing understanding and reducing risks for your employees. You can learn more in our Safety in 10 Webinar series. At GSM, we work with you to understand your challenges and come up with the best solutions to keep you compliant. Contact us today to see how we can help you save time and money so you can focus on what is important to your business! What are the 5 required elements of a hazard communication program?There are five basic elements of the Hazard Communication Program. These include: chemical inventory, chemical labeling, Safety Data Sheets, written plan and employee training.
What are the requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard?Hazard Communication Standard. Ensuring the proper chemical labeling on containers.. Providing Safety Data Sheets (SDSs). Providing information and training to employees about chemical hazards in the workplace.. Developing and maintaining a written hazard communication program.. What is a written hazard communication?The methods the employer will use to inform employees of the hazards of non-routine tasks, and the hazards associated with chemicals contained in unlabeled pipes in their work areas.
What are the 3 components of the hazardous communication program?1. Safety data sheets (SDSs); 2. Warning labels and signs; and 3. Training employees on chemical hazards in the workplace.
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