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Occupational
Health & Safety
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Hazardous Communication:
In 1972, the State of Arizona adopted the Federal OSHA Standards, 29 CFR 1910 and 1926, to apply to the state government. 29 CFR 1910.1200
Hazardous Substance :
A hazardous substance is any substance which is a physical hazard or a health hazard.
(a) "Health Hazard" means any chemical, or biological substance or agent which is listed in the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's list of Toxic and Hazardous Substance 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart "Z". And any other substance including but not Iimited to chemicals which are carcinogens, toxic or highly toxic agents, reproductive toxins, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, hematopoietic system, and agents which damage the lungs, skin, eyes or mucous membranes, and
any substance for which a Material Safety Data Sheet has been provided by the manufacturer, as a hazardous material, or such substances deemed by the Commissioner, based on documented scientific evidence, that poses a threat to the health of an employee.
(b) "Physical Hazard" means a chemical which is a compressed gas, explosive, flammable, an organic peroxide, an oxidizer, pyrophoric, unstable (reactive) or water-reactive, and which is contained in the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's list of Hazardous Materials, 29 CFR Part 1910,Subpart "H" And any substance for which a Material Safety Data Sheet has been provided by the manufacturer as a hazardous material, or such substances deemed by the Commissioner, based on documented scientific evidence that Poses a threat to the safety of an employee.
Identifying Hazardous Substances
Every container of hazardous substances must bear a label showing the chemical name and the Chemical Abstract Service number (CAS #) or the manufacturer's label, or the MCC identifying label. In addition, many containers will have pictorial labels suggesting the protective measures required in handling the substance.
Other labels and placards will utilize a numbering system of 0-4 to determine the seriousness or the hazard of the substance in the three categories of Health, Flammability, and Reactivity. ln all cases, a 0 means the least threat while a rating of 4 means the greatest danger.
The Goals of MCC's Hazard Communication Program
- To help reduce the risks involved in working with hazardous materials.
- To transmit vital information to employees about real and potential hazards of substances in the work place.
- To reduce the incidence and cost of illness and injury resulting from hazardous substances.
- To encourage a reduction in the volume and toxicity of hazardous substances.
The Four Components of the Program
- Material Safety Data Sheets
- The Labeling and Marking System
- Employee Training Sessions
- The Written Plan
Material safety data sheets must be readily available for employee review at all times the employee is in the work place. These sheets are provided by chemical manufacturers or importers and describe the chemical composition, characteristics, potential hazards, and other information of their product. With few exceptions, MSDSs for each product the employee uses / encounters in their work place must be readily accessable to them. If an employee requests to see an MSDS for a product they use, and the employer cannot provide that MSDS, after one working day, the employee may legally refuse to work with that product until the MSDS is provided. Also, if an employee requests their own personal copy of an MSDS, the employer has 15 working days to provide the copy.
With few exceptions, all unlabeled or unmarked bottles, containers, jars, etc. must be labeled according to MCC's HMLS Labeling System. HMLS labels are not mandatory for containers already provided with a manufacturer's label, but they are recommended. Buildings and laboratories must be marked or placarded as well using NFPA diamonds or the Uniform Laboratory Hazard Signage system .
Employees must receive annual training in hazard communications, and new employees must receive their initial training within the first 30 days of employment. This training must include information concerning the four components of the hazard communication program as well as site specific training on the chemicals/products actually used by the employee.
Copies of MCC's written program (Hazard Communication Program) and printed Hazard Communication Brochures are available upon request from Shirley Henderson, MCC's Health and Safety Coordinator, at 17360. This program was written/designed to meet the federally mandated requirements of 29 CFR 1910 and 1926, as well as Arizona law.
Mesa Community College --Hazard Communication Standard "Right To Know"
Employees of MCC have the right to know the properties and potential safety and health hazards of substances to which they may be exposed. Such knowledge is essential to reducing the risk of occupational illness and injury.
Goals of Right to Know:
- To help you reduce the risks involved in working with hazardous materials
- To transmit vital information to employees about real and potential hazards of substances in the work place
- To reduce the incidence and cost of illness and injury resulting from hazardous substances
- To promote public employer's need and right to know
- To encourage a reduction in the volume and toxicity of hazardous substance
How to Determine which Substances Are in Your Place
Discuss this topic with your supervisor and review your department's Chemical Information List (CIL). To determine the extent of the hazard of each substance on the CIL or protective measures required in using the chemical, locate the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for each substance. The MSDS will provide an in-depth analysis of the substance along with all precautions necessary to handle the substance safely.
Chemical Information List/Material Safety Data Sheets
Chemical lnformation List (CIL) is the list of all hazardous substances in a specific location. Every substance on the CIL will have a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) on file at your department and with the Hazard Communication Office.
It is very important to know how to read and understand the MSDS. It is designed and written in sections:
- Section I
Product Identification
(Chemical Name and Trade Names)
- Section II
Hazardous Ingredients
(Components and Percentages)
- Section III
Physical Data
(Boiling point, density, solubility in water, appearance, and color, etc.)
- Section IV
Fire and Explosion Data
(Flash point, extinguisher media, special fire fighting procedures, and unusual fire and explosion hazards)
- Section V
Health Hazard Data
(Exposure limits, effects of overexposure, emergency and first aid procedure
- Section VI
Reactivity Data
(Stability, condition to avoid, incompatible materials, etc.)
- Section VII
Spill or Leak Procedures
(Steps to take to control and clean up spills and leaks and waste disposal methods)
- Section VIII
Control Measures
(Respiratory protection, ventilation, protection for eyes or skin. or other protective equipment)
- Section IX
Special Precautions
(How to handle and store, steps to take in a spill, disposal method, and other precautions)
Appropriate Work Practices
It is strongly suggested that you read the MSDS for every substance you come in contact with and utilize the control measures (protective measures) and the special
precautions delineated on the MSDS. When in doubt, consult with your supervisor or an OSU Safety official.
Emergency Procedures
Report all spills and avoid contact with substances without proper protective equipment.
If you are exposed (exposed to a substance which requires protective equipment--when you do not have the required protective equipment) to a hazardous
substance, seek medical attention and make a written report of the exposure with your supervisor. The record of the exposure will be kept permanently and will be
available to you.
Emergency 911
To report emergencies, dial 911 on or off campus. The 911 number will provide access to fire, police, ambulance, or emergency services.
Acronyms You May Wish to Become Familiar With
- OSHA
--Occupational Safety & Health Act
- EPA
--Environmental Protection Agency
- NRC
--National Response Center (Coast Guard)
- DOT
--Department of Transportation
- NIOSH
--National Institute of Safety & Health
- MSHA
--Mine Safety & Health Act
- TSCA
--Toxic Substance Control Act
- CFR
--Code of Federal Regulations
- CAS
--Chemical Abstract Service (number)
- ACGIH
--American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist
- SARA
--Superfund Amendments Re-authorization Act
- TLV
--Threshold Limit Value
- TWA
--Time Weighted Averaged
- PEL
--Personal Exposure Limit
- UEL
--Upper Explosion Limit
- LEL
--Lower Explosion Limit
- PPE
--Personal Protection Equipment
- PPM
--Parts Per Million
- PPB
--Parts Per Billion
- Mg/l
--Milligrams per liter
Chemical Information Lists (CIL) and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are the key sources to determine which substances are in the work place and how to avoid exposure to hazardous substances. CIL's and MSDS's are available from your department and the Hazard Communication section of the Environmental
Read and review the following resources:
Please contact OHS email | phone: 480-461-7360 | fax: 480-461-7549 |
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