Camden County Health Services Center Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) aka “Right To Know” (RTK) 2013

Right To Know About What? Chemical Hazards in the Workplace

What is the purpose of the HCS - RTK Program? Assure your awareness, safety and health in handling chemicals on the job.

HCS-RTK Law guarantees that all employees have the right to have access to information about hazardous substances in their workplaces

How do I get information on Chemical Hazards? Chemical Container Labels Material Safety Data Sheets Employee Training and Information

Let’s Look More Closely at Each of the 3 Main Parts

Label Safety Checklist Make sure every chemical container you use has a label. The only exception is a portable container for immediate use and disposed of as soon as used. Hey!. Where’s the label for this stuff?

Label Safety The top five ingredients, chemical, are listed on the label. There may be more if there are additional hazardous chemicals comprising the product contained in the container. All hazardous chemicals must be listed on the label.

Label Safety Checklist Report Missing Or Illegible Labels To Your Supervisor If You Don’t Understand What A Label Means, Ask Your Supervisor Before Proceeding Follow Label Precautions and Directions for Safe Handling

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Gives you DETAILED information on a Product and It’s Hazards

Material Safety Data Sheets Gives Details ON Product Dangers Emergency Response Direction Chemical Ingredients Safety Procedures

If I Need To Read a MSDS Where Are The Information Sheets Located ? MSDS’s are located in the Security Department in clearly marked MSDS Binder's MSDS's are listed alphabetically MSDS

Material Safety Data Sheets Your Employer Must Have At Least One MSDS For Every Hazardous Chemical in the Workplace Many products are listed in multiple locations for ease of key wording use.

Employee Training and Information Attend New Hire In-service for “Right To Know” Complete Annual Mandatory PowerPoint Presentation on HCS-RTK Complete Department Specific/Chemical Specific Training Ask Your Supervisor if you have any questions or concerns about chemicals.

What can I do to Protect Myself from Chemical Hazards? Use Personal Protective Equipment Be Informed Practice Safe Work Habits I know! Safety First

Use Personal Protective Equipment You may need: Protective gloves Eye coverings Face Masks

Practice Safe Work Habits Do Not Mix Chemicals!!!!!! When certain hazardous chemicals are stored or mixed together, in any form, violent reactions may occur

Explosive or uncontrollable reactions Generation of Toxic Gases What can occur if two chemicals are mixed together? Explosive or uncontrollable reactions Generation of Toxic Gases

What Happened? A Real Life Situation A staff member used De-limer to de-lime the dish machine in Food and Nutrition . He then wiped down parts of the same machine with Bleach. The kitchen staff had to be evacuated because of the pungent fumes.

What caused the pungent fumes? The use of De- limer? The use of De-Limer and bleach together? The use of Bleach?

Do not mix chemicals. If you choose that the Pungent Fumes were caused by mixing De-limer and bleach together You are correct!

Practice Safe Workhabits It is important to safeguard our Patients/Residents from coming into contact from Hazardous Chemicals.

Real Life Examples A resident takes a cup that has a cleaning product in it from the Housekeepers cart. A Bottle of Hand Wash is left within a resident’s reach.

Who is responsible for Controlling Hazards in the workplace? You and your employer are both responsible.

Employer’s Job Provide staff with the information needed to work around Chemicals and their potential hazards Adopt Safe Work Practices Provide training in the proper use of all products you will handle.

Staff’s Job Learn about chemical hazards Use protective measures provided for you Report unsafe conditions to your supervisor

Chemical Specific Knowledge Here at CCHSC we use Virex to disinfect One Step Germicidal cleaner for Body Fluid Spills Floors, Bed Frames, Mattresses, Walls, Bathroom Fixtures

Chemical Specific Knowledge The chemical Virex is used to disinfect hard inanimate non-porous surfaces such as: Floors Porcelain Surfaces Plastic Surfaces Walls Metal Surfaces

Now it is time to find out how much you have learned If you are prepared proceed to the test If not, go back to the beginning and review information