Hazard Communication

Office of Environmental Health and SafetyHunter College of CUNY

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Overview

• Understanding the Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200)

• Chemical Properties and Characteristics

• Labels

• Spill Procedures

• MSDS – Material Safety Data Sheets

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Purpose

• The Hazard Communication Standard was created to ensure that the hazards of all chemicals produced or imported are evaluated, and that this information is transmitted to all employees

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Hazard Communication = Right to Know

Employees have the right to know what kinds of hazardous chemicals they work with or are exposed to in their work environment and what possible health effects these chemicals might pose

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Elements of a Written Hazard Communication Program

• Staff Responsibilities

• Labeling Procedures

• MSDS Procedures (obtaining / maintaining)

• Training Program

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Information Requirements

• Employees must be informed of:– Requirements of the Hazard Communication

Standard– Operations in work areas where there are

hazardous chemicals– Location/availability of written Hazard

Communication Program

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• Employees must be trained in

– Methods to detect the presence or release of hazardous chemicals

– Physical and health hazards of chemicals in work area

– Personal protection

Training Requirements

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Where will you find chemicals at CUNY?

• Cleaning supplies– Bleach, ammonia, detergents

• Paint Shop– Paints, paint thinners, paint strippers

• Laboratories– Assorted chemicals and chemical waste

• Mechanical Rooms / Boiler Rooms– Oils, grease, cleaners

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What is a Hazardous Chemical?

2 Types of hazards:

• Physical hazard– Flammables

– Corrosives

– Reactives

• Health hazard

Causing acute or chronic health effects

(Neurotoxin, carcinogen, mutagen, teratogen, irritant, etc.)

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Flammables

• Aerosols

• Gases

• Liquids

• Solids

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Flammability

FLAMMABLE = IGNITE EASILY

• Vaporizes quickly at room temperature

• May cause dizziness, nausea, and headaches if inhaled

• Reacts violently with oxidizers

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Examples of Common Flammable Materials

• Gasoline

• Alcohol

• Paint Thinner

• Aerosol cans

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Fire Triangle 3 Necessary Ingredients for Fire

FUELsomething that will burn

AIRoxygen

IGNITION SOURCE spark

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Corrosives

• Solid

• Liquid

• Gas

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Corrosivity

CORROSIVE = BURNS

• Destroy or damage living tissue irreversibly

• Acids (low pH) or Caustics (high pH)

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The pH Scale

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Examples of Common Corrosive Materials

• Bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite)

• Ammonia

• Vinegar (Acetic Acid)

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Reactives

States

• Solids

• Liquids

• Gases

Types

• Air or water reactive

• Shock, heat or friction sensitive

• Explosive

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Examples of Common Reactive Materials

• Metallic sodium

• Metallic calcium

• Dry picric acid

Reactives should only be found in laboratories and should be carefully stored and monitored.

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ToxicityTOXIC = POISONOUS

High Toxicity – small dose causes severe effect

Chronic Toxicity – effect from repeated exposure over long periods of time

Acute Toxicity – immediate and severe effect

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Classes of Toxicity

Carcinogens - cancer causing or potentially cancer causing

Irritants - non-severe, short term effect that is reversible

Sensitizers - may cause allergic reaction after repeated exposure

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NFPA Hazard

Diamond

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Labels

• Every bottle ordered and received should come with an affixed label containing:

– Name of product and constituents

– Hazards

– Manufacturer’s Name

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User Labeling• EVERY bottle must be labeled to identify its contents

(even soap and water, if there is no original label)

• You may use a piece of tape, a

sharpie, or print out a label – as

long as it is clearly legible and

includes the commonly

recognized name of the contents

(not the chemical formula) and its

hazard(s)

Rubbing AlcoholFlammable

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Old Chemical Bottles

Do not keep old bottles of chemicals that you will not use

If a label is deteriorating or falling off, make a new one or the chemical will be considered as an UNKNOWN

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Routes of Exposure

• Breathing (inhalation)

• Skin contact (dermal absorption)

• Swallowing (ingestion)

• Puncture (injection)

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PPEKnow what Personal Protective

Equipment (PPE) is available and where to get it

• Gloves• Eye protection (safety glasses,

goggles)• Respiratory Protection• Apron / coveralls

Some people may be sensitive or allergic to latex gloves

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What should you do if you spill a chemical or find a spilled

chemical?

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Small Spill

Clean up a spill only if you:

• Are familiar with the substance that was spilled

• Know the substance’s toxicity

• Have adequate personal protective equipment

• Feel completely comfortable cleaning it up

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Large Spill

For a large spill that requires assistance to clean up, call:

• Environmental Health and Safety

• Public Safety

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Spill KitsA spill kit should be available in all areas where

chemicals are stored or used

The spill kit should contain (at a minimum):

- Gloves & Goggles- Absorbent / Neutralizer- Scoop / mini shovel- Bag / container

Restock the spill kit as soon as possible whenever anything is used or removed from it

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Fire Extinguishers4 Classes• Class A - paper, lumber, cardboard, plastics.

• Class B - gasoline, kerosene, organic solvents.

• Class C - energized electrical equipment including appliances, switches, panel boxes, power tools, hot plates and stirrers.

• Class D – combustible/pyrophoric/organometallic metals, such as magnesium, sodium, and potassium. These materials burn at high temperatures and will react violently with water, air, and/or other chemicals. Handle with care!!

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Trash, paper, and cloth.

Gasoline, propane, and solvents.

Computers, fax machines, and copiers.

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Fire Extinguisher UseIf you use a fire extinguisher to put out a

small fire, remember:

Pull the pin

Aim at base of fire

Squeeze the trigger

Sweep from side to side

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Safety Showers

• Know the location of the nearest safety shower in case of emergency

• Make sure it’s accessible, in good working order, and that its inspection is up-to-date

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Eye Wash• Know the location of the nearest eye wash in case a

chemical comes in contact with your eye

• Flush your eye(s) for at least 15 minutes

• Eye wash stations should be flushed weekly

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Material Safety Data Sheets(MSDS)

                                                                 

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Where can you find an MSDS for a chemical?

• An MSDS MUST be available anywhere a chemical is used or stored

• Each person must know how and where to find an MSDS in the immediate area

• An MSDS should be included with the purchase of a chemical. Many are available online.

• Ask EH&S if you have having difficulty locating an MSDS or getting one from a manufacturer

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Sections of MSDS• Product Identification / Ingredients• Hazards• First Aid• Fire Fighting• Release Measures• Handling / Storage• Personal Protection• Physical / Chemical Properties• Toxicology• Disposal / Transport Information

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Product Identification / Ingredients

• Chemical name, trade name, synonyms

• CAS (Chemical Abstract Service) Number

• Molecular Formula / Molecular Weight

• Ingredients and Percentages

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Hazards

• Warning Phrases– Danger! Flammable! Corrosive!

• NFPA Ratings (0-4) for Health, Flammability, Reactivity, Special/Other

• Potential Health Effects– Inhalation, skin contact, ingestion, chronic

exposure

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First Aid

• Information on what do in case of an exposure by

– Inhalation– Ingestion– Skin Contact– Eye Contact

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Fire Fighting Information

• Flash point

• Auto ignition temperature

• Type of fire extinguisher to use

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Release Measures

• Measures to take if this material is released to the environment

• Reportable Quantities

• Coast Guard National Response Center (NRC) 1-800-424-8802

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Handling/Storage

• Ideal/preferred storage conditions (humidity and temperature)

• Ventilation

• Store away from incompatibles

• Flammables / Corrosives cabinets

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PPE• Recommendations for types of gloves to be used

(nitrile, latex, butyl) based on the specific chemical’s properties

• Recommendations for respirator type and cartridge selection

• Additional PPE (glasses, apron, shoes, etc.)

• Exposure Limits– Permissible exposure limit (PEL)– Short term exposure limit (STEL)– Threshold Limit Value (TLV)

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Physical / Chemical Properties

• Color• Odor• Specific Gravity• pH • Boiling & Melting Points• Vapor Density & Pressure• Solubility• Decomposition Products / Polymerization• Incompatibilities

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Toxicology

• LD 50

(Lethal Dose for 50% of population)

• Target organ systems

• Metabolic pathways

• Mutagen / carcinogen / teratogen

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Disposal / Transport

• DOT shipping information

• RCRA hazardous waste information and waste codes

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Review

• Label ALL bottles/containers • Know where to find an MSDS and how to

read one• Clean up only small-scale spills, and only if

you feel comfortable doing so. Otherwise, call EH&S or Public Safety immediately.

• See EH&S or your manager with any questions about chemicals in your area

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Any Questions?