ASHLAND UNIVERSITY

HAZARD COMMUNICATION PROGRAM

JANUARY, 2006

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed a Hazard Communication (HazCom) Standard to make sure information regarding potentially hazardous materials reaches the employees whose safety depends on it. HazCom violations are responsible for five of the 12 most-cited violations. These five violations happen to be five main categories of OSHA=s Hazard Communication standard:

1. Identifying hazardous chemicals
2. Product warning labels
3. Material Safety Data Sheets
4. Written Hazard Communication Program
5. Employee training

1. Identifying hazardous chemicals

There are two types of chemical hazards: physical hazards which produce a dangerous situation outside the body and health hazards which cause internal damage.

Chemical manufacturers must identify all physical and health hazards and report them by attaching warning labels and accurate Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) to chemical containers. Each employee must read labels and MSDSs.

2. Product Warning Labels

Hazard warnings come in the form of signs and labels that are affixed to containers, equipment and areas where hazards are present.

3. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)

OSHA developed the MSDS form as part of the Hazard Communication Standard, or Right to Know regulation. They wanted to make sure there is an easy reference for every sort of information on a hazardous substance.

The MSDS spells out how to avoid potential problems and work safely with hazardous chemicals.

• Know where the MSDS for each chemical is located.
• Know where to find the emergency response information quickly
• Check the MSDS whenever you are not sure or need more information
• Follow the safety procedures for each chemical

There is no single mandatory form for the MSDS, so there will be many different types. What is consistent though, is the type of information included on each form.

4. Written Hazard Communication Program

The written Hazard Communication Program must be developed, implemented and maintained by every employer .

5. Employee Training

OSHA requires that an employee be trained on the hazardous chemicals in their work area. All employees, including temporary student workers, working with or potentially exposed to hazardous chemicals, shall be appropriately informed and trained.

Individual supervisors are responsible for introducing new employees to specific hazards they might confront during the course of a normal work day. The supervisor orientation will occur before the new employee enters the worksite.

Training should include explanations of the labeling system, the Material Safety Data Sheets, and the written plan. Training should be documented with the employee's signature and date.

Employees shall be retrained annually or with the addition of a new hazard, etc.

Contractors

All contractors bidding on Ashland University construction projects must have evidence of a working Hazard Communication Program. No hazardous material shall be introduced into the workplace by vendors, salespeople, frequenters or our employees without an MSDS to forewarn users of this material.