Hazard Communication-Right to

Know
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200

Hazard Communication Goals

Right

to Know chemical hazards

PPE
First

aid

Labels
Material

Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Close Encounters With Chemicals

We encounter chemicals almost

every day.

Filling your vehicle with gasoline.

Cleaning the bathroom

Applying pesticides or
insecticides

Using solvents or acids at work

Many chemicals can cause injury or

illness if not handled properly.

Right to Know
OSHA

created the Hazard

Communication Standard to help
ensure your safety when working with
hazardous chemicals.

You

have a RIGHT TO KNOW about

the hazardous chemicals you use on
the job and how to work safely with
those chemicals.

Hazard Communication Standard

Chemical

Manufacturers must:

Determine a chemicals hazards

Provide labels and MSDSs

Employers

must:

Provide a Hazard Communication Program

Maintain MSDSs

Train on hazardous materials

HazCom Standard (cont.)

Employees

must:

Read labels and MSDSs

Follow employer instructions and warnings

Identify hazards before starting a job

Participate in training

Chemical Hazards-2 Categories

Health

Hazards

Physical

Hazards

Health Hazards
Health

hazards fall into

5 main categories:

Toxic

Corrosive or irritating

Carcinogenic

Reproductive

Sensitizing

Toxic-Toxic Chemicals
Have

an effect on one or more

body organ or system.

This
It

effect may be varied.

may damage the lungs,

stimulate or depress the nervous
system, or damage other
systems, such as the kidneys or
liver.

Toxic-Toxic Chemicals (cont.)

Often

the effect of a toxic

chemical occurs at a site in the
body that is different from
where it entered the body.

It

may have been inhaled into

the lungs but affect the liver.

It

may be absorbed through the

skin and affect the brain.

Toxic-Toxic Chemicals (cont.)

Workplace

solvents
(paints, thinners and
solvent degreasers) are
a common kind of
chemical that may be
either inhaled or
absorbed through the
skin and generally
affects the central
nervous system, liver
and kidneys.

Toxic-Toxic Chemicals (cont.)

The

effect of a toxic chemical

may develop immediately or may
take months to years to develop.

Toxic

effects are dependent on

the dose how much exposure
you have over what period of
time.

Often

you can safely be exposed

to low levels over a long time
period.

Toxic-Toxic Chemicals Route of Entry

Toxic

exposures also
depend on the route of
entry.

This

is the way the

chemical gets into the
body and some ways are
more efficient than
others.

Toxic-Toxic Chemicals Route of Entry

In comparing the different routes of entry:
INHALATION

of a chemical via the lungs, can

take a chemical directly to the blood stream,
as can an open cut or rash.

ABSORPTION

& INGESTION through the

skin and gastrointestinal system are generally
slower and less effective routes of entry.

The

eyes arent a very effective route of

entry, but are very sensitive to many
chemicals. PROTECT YOUR EYES!

Irritating or Corrosive
Irritating

or corrosive chemicals are

very different than toxic chemicals.

And

in many ways much simpler.

They

have essentially one effect,

which is to irritate body tissues that
they come into contact with.

Irritating or Corrosive (cont.)

Irritating

or corrosive chemicals
affect the tissues at the site
they contact and are not
transported through the body to
cause effects at other sites.

And

the effect is generally

immediate, or very nearly.

Irritating or Corrosive (cont.)

Acids

and
caustics are
examples of
irritant
chemicals.

It

is important
to keep them
off your skin and
out of your eyes.

Carcinogens
Carcinogens

are chemicals that

cause cancer.

In

many ways they act like toxic

chemicals, exerting their effect
on various body organs and
systems and having an effect
that is often long-term
(occurring over a period of
years).

Carcinogens (cont.)
Carcinogens

are different than toxic

chemicals in that their effect is less
dependent on dose.

Even

a one-time exposure to some

carcinogens can cause cancer years later.

So

preventing contact and exposure is

especially important.

Asbestos

and lead are examples of

carcinogens found in many workplaces and
homes.

Reproductive
Reproductive

hazards affect the

reproductive system directly
(both male and female),
depending on the chemical and
its effect.

They

also, in some cases, affect

the unborn child, particularly
during the first 3 months of
pregnancy.

Reproductive (cont.)
Reproductive

hazards act in
some ways like carcinogens,
requiring a relatively limited
exposure for the effect to
occur.

Again,

preventing exposure,
especially during pregnancy, is
the key.

Sensitizing
Sensitizers

cause an allergictype reaction.

Often

this reaction takes the

form of a skin reaction, such as
hives, or a respiratory reaction
similar to asthma.

The

reaction can be severe and

tends to get worse over time.

Sensitizing (cont.)
With

sensitizers, the reaction

wont be initially present. It
requires initial exposure to
trigger it, after which a very
small exposure may trigger the
reaction.

Again,

controlling exposure
initially is key.

Controlling Chemical Health Hazards

So how do we control
exposures?
Primarily

by remembering
the routes of entry.

You

avoid inhaling
chemicals by using a
respirator if excessive
airborne exposure will be
present.

And

by testing the air to

assess the exposure level.

Controlling Chemical Health Hazards

You

avoid swallowing
chemicals by wearing the
correct gloves and
washing your hands
before eating, drinking
or smoking.

You

avoid skin absorption

by again wearing the
correct gloves
(especially if you have a
cut or rash) and washing
up frequently.

Controlling Chemical Health Hazards

If

you get an irritating

chemical on the skin or in
your eyes, immediate first
aid is critical.

Flush

your eyes in an
eyewash for at least 15
minutes, keeping the
eyelids open.

Wash

your skin thoroughly

with water immediately.

Physical Hazards of Workplace

Chemicals

Physical hazards of chemicals

include:
Combustibles

flammables

Explosive

chemicals

and

and reactive

Compressed

gases

Combustibles and Flammables

Combustibles

and flammables catch

fire and burn, sometimes explosively.

They

can be handled safely by

remembering a few simple principles.

Combustibles and Flammables (cont.)

To work safely with flammables
and combustibles:
Control

fuel by using safety

cans, keeping containers
covered, and using only the
amount you need.

Control

ignition sources by
grounding and bonding containers
and keeping flames away.

Combustibles and Flammables (cont.)

Remember

the fire pyramid:

Oxygen

Ignition Source

Fuel

Explosives and Reactives

Explosives

and reactives present very

specialized hazards.

Explosive:

Compressed gas cylinders;

aerosol cans

Reactive:

Mixture of bleach and

ammonia; mixture of acid and solvents.

The

key with any chemical is to read

the Material Safety Data Sheet (more
in a minute) and know its safe handling.

Combustible Gases
Combustible

gases are a
physical hazard
because of the
pressurized container.

Keep

them secured and

capped when not in use.

Transport

them on an
appropriate dolly.

Use

the correct
regulator.

Container Labeling
Label secondary containers with the following
information (at a minimum):
Name

of
product

Precautions

AMMONIUM FLUORIDE
DANGER!

to

take
(summarized
from the MSDS
or the
manufacturers
original label)

Acute:

(CAS 12125-01-8)
POISON
CORROSIVE

CAUSES SEVERE BURNS OF EYES AND SKIN WHICH MAY NOT BE IMMEDIATELY
PAINFUL OR VISIBLE. MAY BE FATAL IF SWALLOWED.MAY CAUSE PNEUMONITIS
IF INHALED.
Chronic:REPEATED OR PROLONGED EXPOSURE MAY CAUSE LIGAMENT AND TENDON
CALCIFICATION.CAUSES BONE DISORDERS.
Avoid breathing dust or vapor.Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing.When handling, wear goggles
Or face shield.Store in tightly closed container.Use only with adequate ventilation.Wash thoroughly after
Handling.
FIRST AID:
IF CONTACTED:Immediately flush eyes and skin with plenty of water for at least 30 minutes,and skin
For at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes.IMMEDIATE MEDICAL
ATTENTION.Wash clothing before reusing.
IF INHALED.Remove to fresh air.If cough or difficulty in breathing develops GET MEDICAL
ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY.If not breathing,give artificial resuscitation.
IF SWALLOWED:Give water or milk to dilute.Do not induce vomiting.CONSULT POISON CONROL
CENTER OR HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM.Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious
Or convulsive person.

NFPA Labeling
NFPA-The National Fire Protection Association
Blue - Health
Red - Flammability
Yellow - Reactivity
White Other hazards or special handling
SCALE: 0 (No Hazard) to 4 (Extreme Hazard)

MSDS Book
The

Material Safety
Data Sheet (MSDS) is
a document that is
provided by the
manufacturer of a
chemical to describe
the hazards of that
chemical and the
precautions to take in
order to work with it
safely.

MSDS Book (cont.)

Each Community that

uses chemicals has their
own MSDS Book for all
chemicals utilized. If
you are not familiar with
the location of your
MSDS Book or the
chemical used in your
Community, ask your
Supervisor.

PPE Summary
Remember,

when working with

hazardous chemicals, make sure you are
wearing the required PPE.

PPE

may include:

Glasses

or goggles and face shield

Gloves
Chemical

Apron

Respirator
Foot

Protection

First Aid Summary

Eyes:

Flush with water for at least 15-20

minutes.

Skin:
Flush

with water for at least 15-20 minutes

(corrosive or solvent contact)

wash

with soap and water (lead or inorganic

arsenic contact).

Inhalation:
Ingestion:

Move to fresh air

Get emergency medical assistance.