1. NuCare Carolina Ambulance, Inc. Annual OSHA Training
Hazard Communication
2011 Update

2. Hazard Communication Standard
Established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Also known as the “Right to Know”
Employees have both a need and a right to know the hazards and identities of the chemicals they are exposed to when working.
Employees also need to know what protective measures are available to prevent adverse effects from occurring.

3. Hazard Communication Standard (cont.)
Knowledge acquired under the standard will help employers provide safer workplaces for their employees.
Most products used in healthcare have some hazard potential, and thus will be covered by the standard.
This standard is performance-oriented. We have the flexibility to adapt the rule to the needs of our workplace, rather than having to follow specific, rigid requirements

4. Relay of information
Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import, and in return provide info about their products

5. What is a hazardous chemical?
“Hazardous chemical means any chemical which is a physical hazard or a health hazard.”
Not all chemicals used by NuCare are hazardous. However, NuCare does maintain a list of those which the standard refers to as “hazardous.”
A determination of the degree of hazard of some chemicals used by NuCare does not necessarily mean an immediate and present danger to the safety and health of NuCare employees.

6. Hazardous Chemical or Not?
If found that the product has the properties of a physical hazard (such as flammability) or a health hazard (such as irritation, lung damage, and cancer) then the product is classified as a “Hazardous Chemical”
Certain steps must be taken if the product is classified as a hazardous chemical

7. Physical Hazards
Explosives
Flammable
Combustible
Reactive

8. Health Hazards Irritants and Corrosives Toxic and Highly Toxic
Carcinogen
Sensitizer
Specified Target Organs

9. Exposure
“Exposure” or “exposed” under the standard means that “an employee is subjected to a hazardous chemical in the course of employment through any route of entry (inhalation, ingestion, absorption, and ocular) and includes potential (accidental or possible) exposure”

10. The Four Keys to Harm How much exposure? How often exposed?
How sensitive you are to the chemical?
How the material gets into the body
i. e., the routes of entry

11. Routes of entry
Inhalation
Ingestion
Absorption
Ocular

12. Inhalation
Occurs when a chemical is breathed in through the nose or mouth
Most common method of getting chemicals into the body

13. Ingestion Through the mouth
Can occur from one’s hands or perhaps a contaminated cigarette placed into the mouth
Important not to eat or smoke in the same area as hazardous chemicals

14. Absorption
Occurs when the material gets on our skin and travels into the bloodstream

15. Ocular
Occurs when the material gets into the eyes and travels into the bloodstream

16. Material Safety Data Sheets
Documents that give very detailed hazard information for a chemical
Provided by the chemical manufacturer to provide additional information concerning safe use of the product
Employers must have an MSDS for each hazardous chemical which they use
Sometimes people think of “chemicals” as being only liquids in containers, but the Haz-Comm Standard covers chemicals in all forms- liquids, solids, gases, vapors, fumes, and mists- whether they are “contained” or not.

17. Location
MSDS books are located at the NuCare base and updated annually
They can be found in the Crew Office or Field Office and the Supervisor’s office.

18. Exclusions
These regulations do not apply to any substances which are foods, drugs, cosmetics, or tobacco products intended for personal consumption by the employees in the workplace.
In addition, these regulations do not apply to any consumer products and food stuffs packaged for distribution (and intended for use by) the general public.

19. Contents of MSDS
Section 4- First Aid Measures (organized by routes of entry)
Section 5- Fire and Explosion Hazard
Section 6- Accidental Release Measures
Section 7- Handling and Storage
Section 1- Chemical Product and Company Identification
Section 2- Composition, Information or Hazardous Ingredients
Section 3- Hazard Identification (organized by routes of entry)

20. Contents (cont) Section 8- Exposure Controls and PPE
Section 9- Physical & Chemical characteristics
Section 10- Reactivity Data
Section 11- Toxicological Information
Section 12- Ecological Information
Section 13- Disposal Considerations
Section 14- Transport Information
Section 15- Regulatory Information
Section 16- Other Information

21. Update of MSDS
Any time a new product is purchased an MSDS sheet will be generated if not accompanied by the product.
New MSDS sheets will be kept updated by using a standard form—this is done annually in December.
Required information should be written on the form and forwarded to the Safety Officer and they will be responsible for updating all books.

22. Other Requirements of Compliance
Product labels
Chemical Inventory
Written Program
Material Safety Data Sheets
Training

23. Product Labels
Labels must be affixed to each chemical container in the workplace
Must contain name and address of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party
Labels must remain intact.
Labels must identify the container contents and warn the user of hazards that may exist while using the product
Labels must be legible, in English, and prominently displayed.

24. Chemical Inventory
The list will serve as an inventory of everything for which an MSDS must be procured and maintained
Products name and manufacturer’s name are listed
A compiled list of chemicals are located at each base
Contained in the MSDS binder is also the written Hazard Communication Program

25. Training
Each employee who may be “exposed” to hazardous chemicals when working must be provided information and trained prior to initial assignment to work with a hazardous chemical
Training is to be done initially, annually, and whenever the hazard changes
Training must occur within 30 days of employment for new employees, full or part time
Must be documented with detailed records of training maintained by the company and available for review by supervision, compliance and training staff

26. Written Program
All workplaces where employees are exposed to hazardous chemicals must have a written plan which describes how the standard will be implemented in that facility
The written program and all relative data is available upon request to employees and their designated representatives, if any; also to the North Carolina Commissioner of Labor
Written program will be located in MSDS book

27. Protecting Yourself
Carefully label every container with the identity of its contents and warnings.
Store incompatible chemicals in separate areas
Provide means of containing the material if containers should break or spill the contents
Obtain and read the MSDS sheets
Always remember you are #1.
Protecting yourself is always your first priority
Keep your work area clean and orderly
Use the necessary safety equipment (i.e. gloves, gowns, goggles)

28. Protective Measures
By now, you should have a better understanding of the hazardous properties of chemicals, and how to recognize the hazards of the particular chemicals with which we work

29. Protective Measures (cont)
Even though chemicals in the workplace may be dangerous, there are methods available to ensure that the risk is minimized or eliminated

30. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Gloves: Protect your hands from chemical exposure
Goggles: Should be worn when there is a possibility of splashing chemicals in your eyes
Face shields: Protect your face as well as your eyes
Respirators: Needed if you have significant exposure to vapors, fumes or mists of a hazardous material
Gowns

31. Employee Responsibilities
Know where to obtain info about Hazardous chemicals in your work area
Read and understand labels/MSDS sheets before you start working
Ask questions if you are not sure
Keep work area clean
Use required PPE/clothing
DO NOT eat, drink or smoke around chemicals

32. Employee Responsibilities (cont)
Practice good personal hygiene practices, e.g. wash hands before eating, drinking, or smoking
Learn emergency procedures for your area
Follow procedures for exposure, disposal and spill clean-up

33. Employer Responsibilities
Take steps to reduce exposures by providing safer workplaces
Substitute less hazardous materials
Establish proper work practices

34. Conclusion Information is the key
Your first line of defense in protecting yourself against hazardous chemicals is knowledge of the chemical itself.
Make yourself aware of the chemicals around you and preventive measures that can be taken
How well you practice safe and healthful work habits will determine your safety and well-being
You should be able to go home as healthy as when you came to work.
Your job should not cause you your health

35. Any Questions About This Section
Any Questions About This Section ? If you are taking the online version of this course, open the html document entitled “Haz-Com Quiz”, answer each question and click “Submit”