1 of 34

�Hazard Communication �And GHS—�

What Employees Need to Know

2 of 34

Session Objectives

Recognize hazardous chemicals

Understand the risks they pose

Interpret the information on chemical labels

Understand safety data sheets

Protect yourself from physical and health hazards

Respond to emergencies

3 of 34

Where You Encounter �Hazardous Chemicals

Fill a zoo vehicle with �gasoline or diesel
Use liquid cleaners
Use solvents or acids

4 of 34

Why Prevention Is Important

43 million workers potentially exposed annually �at 5 million businesses

880,000 hazardous chemicals used in the United States

50,000 injuries and illnesses annually

125 fatalities annually

Chronic illness and fatalities are outcomes of chemical exposure at work

5 of 34

Hazard Communication Standard

Employers must provide �you with:

A written hazard �communication program
A list of hazardous �chemicals
SDSs
Labels on containers
Training

The Hazard Communication Standard describes what employers must do to inform employees about chemical hazards in the workplace. For example, under the law, employers must provide you with:

A written Hazard Communication Program that explains how the information is communicated to you;

A list of the hazardous chemicals used in your workplace, so you know that you might be asked to use a potentially hazardous chemical;

SDSs for each type of hazardous chemical. These contain detailed information about the chemical, its possible hazards, and ways to protect yourself;

Labels on containers that identify and describe the chemical hazards; and

Training that teaches you about the Hazard Communication Standard, tells you how to read and understand the information on SDSs and chemical labels, and shows you ways you can protect yourself against possible hazards.

Your supervisor or safety manager can tell you how to obtain your company’s written Hazard Communication plan and a copy of the Hazard Communication Standard.

6 of 34

What Is GHS?

Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals
Implemented �through HazCom
Provides a universal approach

As we discussed, OSHA’s hazard communication standard, or HazCom, requires us to tell you about hazards in the workplace. Two key ways we do that is with labels on chemical containers and safety data sheets (formerly MSDSs). Chemical labels and MSDSs have been an essential part of basic safety in the workplace for decades. But, because of the global economy, a system is needed to standardize safety, health, and environmental information about substances so that people all over the world get the same hazard information. That system is called the GHS.

The GHS itself is not a regulation or a standard. OSHA will implement the GHS system through HazCom and continue to regulate chemical safety in this country.

The purpose of GHS is to provide a universal approach to defining hazards, classifying substances, and communicating hazard information and protective measures to employers and employees throughout the United States and the world.

7 of 34

Employee Responsibilities

Read and interpret labels and SDSs
Follow employer instructions and warnings
Identify hazards before starting a job
Participate in training

Although the Hazard Communication Standard applies mainly to employers, hazard communication is not effective unless you also do your part in working safely with chemicals. As an employee, you must be able to:

Read labels and SDSs and understand the information they contain. You should know where SDSs are located and how to find the one you need to learn more about specific materials. And you should know how to find the specific information you need on each SDS, such as how to protect yourself against exposure.

Always follow instructions and warnings about how to use hazardous materials safely. These include both written instructions on chemical labels and SDSs, and verbal instructions and safety information you may receive from supervisors or safety trainers.

Identify the possible hazards of using a chemical BEFORE you start to use it. Don’t wait until you have already been exposed to find out that you’ve put yourself in danger.

Finally, participate actively in the safety training that the Zoo provides. Don’t hesitate to ask questions so that you clearly understand what it takes to protect yourself from hazards from potentially dangerous chemicals.

8 of 34

Forms of Hazardous Chemicals

SOLIDS

LIQUIDS

GASES

9 of 34

Physical Hazards

Explosive
Self-reactive
Oxidizer
Flammable
Pyrophoric liquid or solid
Self-heating
Organic peroxide
Emits flammable gas when contacts water
Corrosive to metal
Gas under pressure

10 of 34

Health Hazards

Short- or long-term effects:

Acute toxicity
Skin corrosion or irritation
Serious eye damage or eye irritation
Respiratory or skin sensitization
Germ cell mutagenicity
Carcinogenicity
Reproductive toxicity
Specific target organ toxicity
Aspiration hazard

11 of 34

Other Chemical Hazards

Asphyxiation, or asphyxia
Pyrophoric gas
Combustible dust
Hazards Not �Otherwise Classified

In addition to the physical and health hazards we’ve discussed, there are other hazards that you may encounter that are dangerous to life and property in the workplace:

Asphyxiation, or asphyxia—is a condition where there is not enough oxygen in the air to breathe normally, leading to suffocation. A simple asphyxiant is a chemical that displaces oxygen in the air and causes rapid suffocation. Pure nitrogen is an example of an asphyxiant.

Pyrophoric gas—is a chemical that catches fire spontaneously if exposed to air.

Combustible dust—is a chemical in dust form that may form explosive concentrations of dust in the air. In some cases, a chemical is shipped in a form that is not yet dust, but under normal conditions of use or processing, it will form a combustible dust.

Hazards Not Otherwise Classified—represents a chemical that may have hazardous physical or health effects, but the specific effects have not been identified under the hazard classification process outlined in the Hazard Communication rule.

12 of 34

Hazard Detection �And Monitoring

Visual appearance
Continuous monitoring device
Odor

Image courtesy of Scott Safety

13 of 34

Hazardous Chemicals �At The Zoo

Locations of chemicals
Written HazCom plan
Chemical list
SDSs

14 of 34

How Hazardous Chemicals �Enter Your Body

Skin and eye contact
Inhalation
Ingestion
Absorption

15 of 34

What Have You Learned?

Do you understand:

Why this course is important?
Where you can encounter hazardous �materials?
Physical and health hazards?
How hazardous materials enter your body?
Your responsibilities under HazCom?

16 of 34

Container Labels

All containers must be labeled!
Label portable containers too
Labels are not required on:

Pipes and piping systems
Portable containers for immediate use

Generally, all containers of hazardous chemicals supplied to the workplace must be labeled. The labels on containers delivered to your facility must either be kept intact or, if removed or damaged, be immediately marked with the required information. This includes the product identifier and a combination of words, pictures, or symbols that provide general information about the chemical hazards and specific information regarding the potential physical and health hazards.

Labels are required on all portable and secondary containers if not for immediate use. The label must include the chemical identification and the hazards it presents.

Labels are not required on:

Pipes or piping systems, or

Portable containers where the hazardous chemical is transferred from a labeled container for immediate use by the employee doing the transfer.

17 of 34

What’s on a Chemical Label?

18 of 34

What’s on a Chemical Label? (cont.)

Pictograms
Symbols
Supplemental Information

19 of 34

Safety Data Sheets

Read the SDS before working with �any hazardous material.

Detailed written description of a �hazard related to a chemical

Describes risks, precautions, and remedies

Must be readily available to you

20 of 34

SDS vs. MSDS

SDS replaces MSDS
16-section format
More complete �information

21 of 34

Sections 1–4

Section 1: Chemical and Supplier Information

Section 2: Hazards Identification

22 of 34

Sections 1–4

Section 3: Composition and Information on Ingredients

Section 4: First Aid Measures

23 of 34

Sections 5–8

Section 5: Fire-Fighting Measures

Section 6: Accidental Releases Measures

Section 7: Handling and Storage

Section 8: Exposure Controls and PPE

24 of 34

Sections 9–12

Section 9: Physical and Chemical Properties

Section 10: Stability and Reactivity

25 of 34

Sections 9–12

Section 11: Toxicological Information

Section 12: Ecological Information

26 of 34

Sections 13–16

Section 13: Disposal Considerations

Section 14: Transportation Information

27 of 34

Sections 13–16

Section 15: Regulatory Information

Section 16: Other Information

28 of 34

SDS at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Each building has own set for hazards present
Master set in the library
Master set available

everyone R: ERT & Safety: SDS Safety Data Sheets

(Includes archive of older chemicals that are no longer used but could be on grounds…)

29 of 34

The Written Plan

Identifies participating �personnel
Describes hazards
Gives criteria for labels �and SDSs
Describes training criteria
Lists hazardous �chemicals

30 of 34

Personal Protection

Engineering Controls

Work Practice Controls

31 of 34

Personal Protective �Equipment (PPE)

Eye and face protection
Hand protection
Foot protection
Head protection
Aprons and full bodysuits
Respiratory protection

32 of 34

Emergency Response to Spills

Eyes: Flush with water �for 15 minutes
Skin: Wash with soap �and water; remove contaminated clothing
Inhalation: �Move to fresh air
Swallowing: �Get emergency �medical assistance

Knowing proper emergency procedures is another important part of safety. That’s why you should always read the label and SDS for every material to find out exactly what to do in case you or a co-worker is overexposed. Emergency procedures may include:

Flushing eyes with water for 15 minutes in case of contact;

Washing skin with soap and water and removing contaminated clothing;

Moving to fresh air if a person has been inhaling hazardous material and not returning until it is safe; and

Getting emergency medical assistance if a person has accidentally swallowed a hazardous chemical.

Think about the emergency procedures you should use if you or a co-worker is overexposed to a hazardous material. Do you know where eyewash stations, emergency showers, and first-aid kits are located? Do you know how to use them?

33 of 34

What Have You Learned?

Do you understand:

Chemical labels?
The SDS sections?
The written HazCom program?
Engineering and work practice controls?
PPE?

34 of 34

Key Points to Remember

Hazard Communication makes you safer
GHS provides standardized safety and health information
Chemicals can have both physical and health hazards
Labels and SDSs provide chemical information
PPE and other protective measures reduce hazards