1. Hazard Communication Standard
HAZCOM
Hazard Communication Standard
“The Right-to-Know”
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES:
This presentation is designed to assist trainers conducting OSHA 10-hour General Industry outreach training for youth workers. Since youth workers are the target audience, this presentation may cover hazard identification, avoidance, and control – not standards. No attempt has been made to treat the topic exhaustively. It is essential that trainers tailor their presentations to the needs and understanding of their audience.
This presentation is not a substitute for any of the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 or for any standards issued by the U.S. Department of Labor. Mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Labor.

2. Hazard Communication Standard
The hazard communication standard requires:
The hazards of chemicals to be evaluated
The hazard information is given to employers and employees
Hazard communication programs
Container labeling and other forms of warning
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Training for employees
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES:
The basic goal of the standard is to be sure employers and employees know about work hazards and how to protect themselves; this should help to reduce the incidence of chemical source illness and injuries. This is why the Hazard Communication Standard is sometimes referred to as the “Right-to-Know” law.
The Hazard Communication Standard establishes uniform requirements to make sure that the hazards of all chemicals imported into, produced, or used in U.S. workplaces are evaluated, and that this hazard information is communicated to affected employers and employees.
Hazard communication
(a) Purpose.
(1) The purpose of this section is to ensure that the hazards of all chemicals produced or imported are evaluated, and that information concerning their hazards is transmitted to employers and employees. This transmittal of information is to be accomplished by means of comprehensive hazard communication programs, which are to include container labeling and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets and employee training.
(2) This occupational safety and health standard is intended to address comprehensively the issue of evaluating the potential hazards of chemicals, and communicating information concerning hazards and appropriate protective measures to employees, and to preempt any legal requirements of a state, or political subdivision of a state, pertaining to this subject. Evaluating the potential hazards of chemicals, and communicating information concerning hazards and appropriate protective measures to employees, may include, for example, but is not limited to, provisions for: developing and maintaining a written hazard communication program for the workplace, including lists of hazardous chemicals present; labeling of containers of chemicals in the workplace, as well as of containers of chemicals being shipped to other workplaces; preparation and distribution of material safety data sheets to employees and downstream employers; and development and implementation of employee training programs regarding hazards of chemicals and protective measures. Under section 18 of the Act, no state or political subdivision of a state may adopt or enforce, through any court or agency, any requirement relating to the issue addressed by this Federal standard, except pursuant to a Federally-approved state plan.

3. HazCom: Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of chemical manufacturers and importers to determine the hazards of all chemicals imported into, produced, or used in U.S. workplaces.
In addition, hazard information and protective measures must be provided by:
Chemical manufacturers
Importers
Distributors
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES:
Hazard communication
(b) Scope and application.
(1) This section requires chemical manufacturers or importers to assess the hazards of chemicals which they produce or import, and all employers to provide information to their employees about the hazardous chemicals to which they are exposed, by means of a hazard communication program, labels and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets, and information and training. In addition, this section requires distributors to transmit the required information to employers. (Employers who do not produce or import chemicals need only focus on those parts of this rule that deal with establishing a workplace program and communicating information to their workers. Appendix E of this section is a general guide for such employers to help them determine their compliance obligations under the rule.)
(2) This section applies to any chemical which is known to be present in the workplace in such a manner that employees may be exposed under normal conditions of use or in a foreseeable emergency.

4. HazCom: Responsibilities
At a minimum, employers must:
Identify and list hazardous chemicals in the workplace
Obtain MSDSs and labels
Develop and implement a written HazCom program
Communicate hazard information to employees
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES:
Employers’ Responsibilities:
Identify and list hazardous chemicals in their workplaces.
Obtain MSDSs (Material Safety Data Sheets) and labels for each hazardous chemical, if not provided by the manufacturer, importer, or distributor.
Develop and implement a written hazard communication program, including labels, MSDSs, and employee training, on the list of chemicals, MSDSs and label information.
Communicate hazard information to their employees through labels, MSDSs, and formal training programs.
Employers that "use" hazardous chemicals must have a program to ensure the information is provided to exposed employees. "Use" means to package, handle, react, or transfer. This is an intentionally broad scope, and includes any situation where a chemical is present in such a way that employees may be exposed under normal conditions of use or in a foreseeable emergency.

5. HazCom: Chemical Hazards
The best rule of chemical safety is: “Know what you are working with and how to protect yourself and others.”
There are 2 basic types of chemical hazards
Physical Hazards
Health Hazards
Notes:
Chemicals can be a safety hazard in that they can cause fires, explosions, and other serious accidents. They also can create serious health hazards when people are exposed. Exposure to chemicals that are health hazards or physical hazards can lead to serious consequences—illnesses, injuries, and even death.

6. HazCom: Physical Hazards
Chemicals are classified as having physical hazards if they are:
Explosive
Compressed gas
Combustible liquids
Flammable
Unstable
Water reactive
Oxidizers
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES:
Some chemicals may be safe by themselves, but become dangerous when in contact with other substances.
A physical hazard occurs when the physical properties of a chemical create hazards like fires, explosions, or
dangerous chemical reactions.

7. HazCom: Health Hazards
Exposure to hazardous chemicals may cause or contribute to a wide range of health concerns including:
Heart problems
Kidney disease
Lung disease
Cancer
Sterility
Burns
Rashes
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES:

8. HazCom: Health Hazards
Chemicals are classified as being a health hazard if they:
Can cause cancer
Are poisonous (toxic)
Cause harm to your skin, internal organs, or nervous system
Are corrosive - such as acids
Cause allergic reactions after repeated exposure
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES:
Some chemicals affect specific organs such as your kidneys, liver, reproductive or nervous system.

9. HazCom: Health hazards
Chemicals can enter your body in many different ways. The primary routes of entry are:
Inhalation
Ingestion
Absorption
Injection
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES:
Routes of entry are the different ways a chemical may enter your body. Let’s take a look at the primary routes of entry:
Inhalation (breathing)—chemicals can be inhaled, entering your body through your airways.
Ingestion (by mouth)—chemicals can enter your mouth directly or be transferred through actions like hand to mouth contact.
Absorption—chemicals can be absorbed into your body through your skin or eyes.
Injection (puncture wound)—chemicals can enter your body through penetration by needles and other sharp objects contaminated with hazardous materials.

10. HazCom: Health Hazards
Exposure to hazardous chemicals may be either:
Acute – brief exposure
Chronic – repeated or prolonged
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES:
Chemicals can be health hazards, which means exposure may cause health problems. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) identifies these exposures to hazardous chemicals as either acute or chronic.
Acute: short term or brief exposure that may create an immediate health hazard. An example is passing out from exposure to carbon monoxide.
Chronic: repeated or prolonged exposure over a long period of time (months or years) that may bring about slowly developing symptoms. These exposures do not cause immediate, obvious harm and a person may not see, feel, or smell the danger. Effects, however, may be permanent. An example is developing cancer from a long-term exposure to asbestos or lead.

11. HazCom: Written Program
The written HazCom program must, at a minimum, include:
A list of all hazardous chemicals known to be in the workplace
A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and label for each hazardous chemical
A training plan to communicate hazard information to employees
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES:
As we mentioned earlier, The Hazard communication standard requires the employer to have a written hazardous communication (HazCom) program. This program must, at a minimum, include:
A list of all hazardous chemicals known to be in the workplace.
A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and label for each hazardous chemical.
A training plan to communicate hazard information to employees.
(e) Written hazard communication program.
(1) Employers shall develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met, and which also includes the following:
(i) A list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present using an identity that is referenced on the appropriate material safety data sheet (the list may be compiled for the workplace as a whole or for individual work areas); and,
(ii) The methods the employer will use to inform employees of the hazards of non-routine tasks (for example, the cleaning of reactor vessels), and the hazards associated with chemicals contained in unlabeled pipes in their work areas.
(2) Multi-employer workplaces. Employers who produce, use, or store hazardous chemicals at a workplace in such a way that the employees of other employer(s) may be exposed (for example, employees of a construction contractor working on-site) shall additionally ensure that the hazard communication programs developed and implemented under this paragraph (e) include the following:
(i) The methods the employer will use to provide the other employer(s) on-site access to material safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical the other employer(s)' employees may be exposed to while working;
(ii) The methods the employer will use to inform the other employer(s) of any precautionary measures that need to be taken to protect employees during the workplace's normal operating conditions and in foreseeable emergencies; and,
(iii) The methods the employer will use to inform the other employer(s) of the labeling system used in the workplace.
(3) The employer may rely on an existing hazard communication program to comply with these requirements, provided that it meets the criteria established in this paragraph (e).
(4) The employer shall make the written hazard communication program available, upon request, to employees, their designated representatives, the Assistant Secretary and the Director, in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR (e).
(5) Where employees must travel between workplaces during a work shift, i.e., their work is carried out at more than one geographical location, the written hazard communication program may be kept at the primary workplace facility.

12. HazCom: Written Program
Also, the written HazCom program should:
Indicate who is responsible for the program
Provide chemical specific safety training methods
Tell you where to find chemical safety information
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES:

13. HazCom: Warning Labels
Warning labels can grab your attention with words like:
“Danger”
“Warning”
“Caution”
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES:
The Hazard Communication Standard also requires that each container holding a hazardous chemical have a warning label that is easily seen and that provides the identity of the chemical along with the appropriate warnings for employee protection.
Warning labels are designed to allow you to quickly and easily recognize the potential hazards of a chemical. These labels may grab your attention with words like:
Danger
Warning
Caution

14. HazCom: Warning Labels
Containers of hazardous chemicals leaving the workplace must be labeled, tagged or marked with:
The identity of the chemicals
The appropriate hazard warnings
The name and address of the manufacturer or other responsible party
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES:
(f) Labels and other forms of warning.
(1) The chemical manufacturer, importer, or distributor shall ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals leaving the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked with the following information:
(i) Identity of the hazardous chemical(s);
(ii) Appropriate hazard warnings; and
(iii) Name and address of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party.

15. HazCom: Warning Labels
Other warning labels include:
National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) diamond label
Hazardous Material Information
System (HMIS) label.
Uniform Laboratory Hazard Signage
HEALTH
FLAMMABILITY
REACTIVITY
SPECIAL
Chemical Name
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES:
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) diamond label.
Color coded, numerical rating system.
Hazardous Material Information System (HMIS) label.
Designed to go on individual containers that don’t have manufacturer’s labels
Same color code/numerical rating system as the NFPA diamond label
Uniform Laboratory Hazard Signage
Pictures may be used to identify hazards and required protection

16. HazCom: Warning Labels
The color codes on both the NFPA and HMIS labels represents the following information:
Blue = Health
Red = Flammability
Yellow = Reactivity
White = Special hazard information and special protective information
HEALTH
FLAMMABILITY
REACTIVITY
SPECIAL
Chemical Name
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES:
The color codes on both the NFPA and HMIS labels represents the following information:
Blue = Health
Red = Flammability
Yellow = Reactivity
White = Special hazard information and special protective information
Numbers or codes in the boxes run from 0 through 4 and tell you the hazard value. Higher numbers = Higher hazard!
The following slides have been marked hidden. The information is these slides may be edited and modified at your discretion based on how much information you decide to give the students.

17. NFPA Health Hazard Codes
4 Materials that on very short exposure could cause death or major residual injury.
3 Materials that on short exposure could cause serious temporary or residual injury.
Health Hazard Codes

18. NFPA Health Hazard Codes
2 Materials that on intense or continued, but not chronic, exposure could cause incapacitation or possible residual injury.
Health Hazard Codes

19. NFPA Health Hazard Codes
1 Materials that on exposure would cause irritation but only minor residual injury.
0 Materials that on exposure under fire conditions would offer no hazard beyond that of ordinary combustible material.
Health Hazard Codes

20. NFPA Flammability Codes
4 Materials that will rapidly or completely vaporize at atmospheric pressure and normal ambient temperature, or that are readily dispersed in air and that will burn readily. Liquids with a flashpoint below 73ºF and a boiling point below 100ºF.
Flammability Hazard Codes

21. NFPA Flammability Codes
3 Liquids and solids that can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions. Liquids with a flashpoint below 73ºF and a boiling point above 100ºF or liquids with a flashpoint above 73ºF but not exceeding 100ºF and a boiling point below 100ºF.
Flammability Hazard Codes

22. NFPA Flammability Codes
2 Materials that must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperatures before ignition can occur. Liquids with flashpoint above 100ºF but not exceeding 200ºF.
Flammability Hazard Codes

23. NFPA Flammability Codes
1 Materials that must be preheated before ignition can occur. Liquids that have a flashpoint above 200ºF.
0 Materials that will not burn.
Flammability Hazard Codes

24. NFPA Reactivity Hazard Codes
4 Materials that in themselves are readily capable of detonation or of explosive decomposition or reaction at normal temperatures and pressures.
Reactivity Hazard Codes

25. NFPA Reactivity Hazard Codes
3 Materials that in themselves are capable of detonation or explosive decomposition or reaction but require a strong initiating source or which must be heated under confinement before initiation or which react explosively with water.
Reactivity Hazard Codes

26. NFPA Reactivity Hazard Codes
2 Materials that readily undergo violent chemical change at elevated temperatures and pressures or which react violently with water or which may form explosive mixtures with water.
Reactivity Hazard Codes

27. Reactivity Hazard Codes
NFPA Reactivity Codes
1 Materials that in themselves are normally stable, but which can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures.
0 Materials that in themselves are normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and which are not reactive with water.
Reactivity Hazard Codes

28. NFPA Special Hazard Codes
COR
ACID = Acid Products
ALK = Alkali or Bases
COR = Corrosive Products
OX = Oxidizer
W = Reacts with water
= Radioactive
Special Hazard Codes

29. HazCom: Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)
MSDSs are developed to provide:
Common name and chemical name of the material
Name, address and phone number of the manufacturer
Emergency phone numbers for immediate hazard information
Date the MSDS was written
Hazardous ingredients
Physical and health hazards of the chemicals
Identification of chemical and physical properties
First Aid/Emergency Information
Safe handling and use information
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES:
Employers must have an MSDS for every hazardous chemical in the workplace. The MSDS for any hazardous chemical in any work area must be fully accessible and available to employees the entire time they are at work. OSHA requires each MSDS to be:
Printed, at least, in English (other languages may be provided but English must be provided).
Completely legible.
Updated when new information is available.
(g) Material safety data sheets.
(1) Chemical manufacturers and importers shall obtain or develop a material safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical they produce or import. Employers shall have a material safety data sheet in the workplace for each hazardous chemical which they use.
(2) Each material safety data sheet shall be in English (although the employer may maintain copies in other languages as well), and shall contain at least the following information:
(i) The identity used on the label, and, except as provided for in paragraph (i) of this section on trade secrets:
[A] If the hazardous chemical is a single substance, its chemical and common name(s);
[B] If the hazardous chemical is a mixture which has been tested as a whole to determine its hazards, the chemical and common name(s) of the ingredients which contribute to these known hazards, and the common name(s) of the mixture itself; or,
[C] If the hazardous chemical is a mixture which has not been tested as a whole:
[1] The chemical and common name(s) of all ingredients which have been determined to be health hazards, and which comprise 1% or greater of the composition, except that chemicals identified as carcinogens under paragraph (d) of this section shall be listed if the concentrations are 0.1% or greater; and,
[2] The chemical and common name(s) of all ingredients which have been determined to be health hazards, and which comprise less than 1% (0.1% for carcinogens) of the mixture, if there is evidence that the ingredient(s) could be released from the mixture in concentrations which would exceed an established OSHA permissible exposure limit or ACGIH Threshold Limit Value, or could present a health risk to employees; and,
[3] The chemical and common name(s) of all ingredients which have been determined to present a physical hazard when present in the mixture;
(ii) Physical and chemical characteristics of the hazardous chemical (such as vapor pressure, flash point);
(iii) The physical hazards of the hazardous chemical, including the potential for fire, explosion, and reactivity;
(iv) The health hazards of the hazardous chemical, including signs and symptoms of exposure, and any medical conditions which are generally recognized as being aggravated by exposure to the chemical;
(v) The primary route(s) of entry;
(vi) The OSHA permissible exposure limit, ACGIH Threshold Limit Value, and any other exposure limit used or recommended by the chemical manufacturer, importer, or employer preparing the material safety data sheet, where available;
(vii) Whether the hazardous chemical is listed in the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Annual Report on Carcinogens (latest edition) or has been found to be a potential carcinogen in the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs (latest editions), or by OSHA;
(viii) Any generally applicable precautions for safe handling and use which are known to the chemical manufacturer, importer or employer preparing the material safety data sheet, including appropriate hygienic practices, protective measures during repair and maintenance of contaminated equipment, and procedures for clean-up of spills and leaks;
(ix) Any generally applicable control measures which are known to the chemical manufacturer, importer or employer preparing the material safety data sheet, such as appropriate engineering controls, work practices, or personal protective equipment;
(x) Emergency and first aid procedures;
(xi) The date of preparation of the material safety data sheet or the last change to it; and,
(xii) The name, address and telephone number of the chemical manufacturer, importer, employer or other responsible party preparing or distributing the material safety data sheet, who can provide additional information on the hazardous chemical and appropriate emergency procedures, if necessary.

30. HazCom: Employee Training
Employers are required to provide training to all
employees who might be exposed to hazardous
chemicals. At a minimum, the training must include:
Hazard communication standard
Components of the hazard communication program
Operations where hazardous chemicals are present
Location of the written HazCom program
Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence of a hazardous chemical
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES:
Employers must establish a training and information program for employees who are exposed to hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of initial assignment and whenever a new hazard is introduced into their work area.
At a minimum, the discussion topics must include the following:
The hazard communication standard and its requirements.
The components of the hazard communication program in the employees’ workplaces.
Operations in work areas where hazardous chemicals are present.
Where the employer will keep the written hazard evaluation procedures, communications program, lists of hazardous chemicals, and the required MSDS forms.
Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the workplace.
(h) Employee information and training.
(1) Employers shall provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new physical or health hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area. Information and training may be designed to cover categories of hazards (e.g., flammability, carcinogenicity) or specific chemicals. Chemical-specific information must always be available through labels and material safety data sheets.
(2) Information. Employees shall be informed of:
(i) The requirements of this section;
(ii) Any operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals are present; and,
(iii) The location and availability of the written hazard communication program, including the required list(s) of hazardous chemicals, and material safety data sheets required by this section.
(3) Training. Employee training shall include at least:
(i) Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the work area (such as monitoring conducted by the employer, continuous monitoring devices, visual appearance or odor of hazardous chemicals when being released, etc.);
(ii) The physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the work area;
(iii) The measures employees can take to protect themselves from these hazards, including specific procedures the employer has implemented to protect employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals, such as appropriate work practices, emergency procedures, and personal protective equipment to be used; and,
(iv) The details of the hazard communication program developed by the employer, including an explanation of the labeling system and the material safety data sheet, and how employees can obtain and use the appropriate hazard information.

31. Summary
Working with chemicals can be done safely. In order to be StartSafe and StaySafe when working with chemicals, you should:
Know the chemicals you are using
Know where the MSDSs are located and how to read them
Ask your supervisor if you have questions
Be trained before using any chemicals
Make sure you are using the appropriate PPE and that it is in good condition
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES: