CAL INTRODUCTION TO HAZARD COMMUNICATION COURSE SUMMARY This training course is a resource for basic occupational safety and health information and is not a substitute for knowledge of standards issued by California s Division of Occupational safety and health (Cal OSHA), California s Department of Industrial Relations or the US Department of Labor s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or its state equivalents. This course is also not a substitute for the kind of intensive, site-specific, hands-on training and information that is necessary to maintain a safe and healthful workplace. This guide is not to be reproduced or used without the express permission of ClickSafety. COURSE OBJECTIVE This Hazard Communication discussion is to summarize the basics of Cal OSHA s hazard communication standard. Upon completion of training, ClickSafety encourages discussion with those persons responsible for hazard communication compliance. The Estimated Length of this course is 30 minutes and is intended workers, supervisors, and managers. REFERENCES Title 8, California Code of Regulations, Section 5194 entitled Hazard Communication INTRODUCTION This course will focus on the right to information, training, and protection; hazardous substances (and their properties); responsible parties (employer, employee, manufacturer, etc.); and the elements of a Hazard Communication Program. In today s American workplace, more than 30 million workers are potentially exposed to one or more chemical hazards. It is estimated that there are 650,000 existing hazardous chemical products in American workplaces, and hundreds of new hazardous chemical products are introduced each year. Employees have both a need and a right to know identities and hazards of substances they are exposed to. They also have a right to know which protective measures are available to prevent adverse effects. The HazCom Standard establishes uniform requirements to make sure that the hazards of substances (to include chemicals) imported into, produced, and/or used in our workplaces are evaluated and that this hazard information is transmitted to affected employers and exposed employees. Nearly all workers in all industry sectors in California are covered under Cal OSHA s Hazard Communication Standard. SUBSTANCES Substances covered CONTROL OF HAZARDOUS ENERGIES CLICKSAFETY.COM, INC. PAGE 1 OF 8
HazCom covers hazardous substances in all physical forms: Liquids Solids Gases Vapors Fumes Mists In containers: packaged, or not Hazard Communication Covers any substance which is a: Physical hazard Health hazard Substances included in the List of Hazardous Substances prepared by the Director of Industrial Relations California's HazCom Program Lists more substances (not just "Chemicals") than Fed-OSHA and requires: A MSDS readily available and documented Hazardous substances to be labeled Employees trained and informed Employer s program Proposition 65 Safe Drinking Water and Toxics Enforcement Act of 1986: Prop. 65 list is updated annually If there is a Prop. 65 listed chemical on your jobsite, a warning must be posted to employees and general public regarding these chemicals: "Warning: this facility contains materials which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm" In California "Compliance with Proposition 65 requirements for notifying employees of hazards can be achieved simply by complying with the provisions of California's hazard communication regulation" Physical Hazards Physical hazards include: Combustible liquids Compressed gases Explosive or flammable substances Organic peroxides Oxidizers Pyrophoric chemicals Unstable or reactive compounds CONTROL OF HAZARDOUS ENERGIES CLICKSAFETY.COM, INC. PAGE 2 OF 8
Water reactive Health Hazards Acute and/or chronic effects Substances include: Carcinogens Toxic or highly toxic agents Reproductive toxins Irritants Corrosives Sensitizers Hepatotoxins (liver toxins) Nephrotoxins (kidney toxins) Neurotoxins (nerve toxins) Hematopoietic toxins (blood system toxins) Substances which damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes RESPONSIBLE PARTIES Who is Responsible? Manufacturers Importers and distributors Employers Employees who use hazardous substances Manufacturers and Importers Manufacturers and Importers must: Evaluate the hazards of substances Appropriately label products Obtain or develop MSDS Ensure that employers are provided appropriately labeled products, and MSDS for hazardous substances Employers Using Substances Employers using substances must: Inventory hazardous substances Prepare and implement written program Ensure all in-plant containers are properly labeled Obtain MSDS Train employees Employees Employees must: Comply with the employers HCS Plan CONTROL OF HAZARDOUS ENERGIES CLICKSAFETY.COM, INC. PAGE 3 OF 8
Become familiar with the hazards and safe work practices Not bring hazardous substances onto worksite without authorization Report unsafe work practices and conditions HAZARD COMMUNICATION PROGRAM Substances Inventory Inventory of hazardous substances: Is a first step in an effective program Inventory all substance hazards with potential for employee exposure Consider substances in all physical forms Hazardous Substances in containers and pipes are covered by Program As are Hazardous substances generated in: Work operations such as welding (fumes) Dusts generated from crushing, grinding, sawing or sanding Exhaust fumes from various operations Written Hazard Communication Program All Workplaces with hazardous substances: Must have a written Plan which describes how the HazCom will be implemented Written program describes: Hazardous substances present at the site Responsible person(s) Written materials available Worksite requirements for: Labels and other forms of warning Material safety data sheets Employee information and training Labels and Other Forms of Warning Worksite containers must be labeled, tagged, or marked with: Identity of the material Appropriate hazard warnings Identity of responsible party Labels and Substances Warnings Manufacturers, importers, and distributors required: To label containers with the name and address of the producer or other responsible party Labels: CONTROL OF HAZARDOUS ENERGIES CLICKSAFETY.COM, INC. PAGE 4 OF 8
Links identity of hazardous substance(s), the MSDS, and the substance s inventory Includes appropriate hazard warning, such as: flammable, or causes lung damage Labels must be legible and prominently displayed MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS MSDS Manufacturers and importers are required to obtain or develop a materials safety data sheet for each hazardous substance they produce or import. Distributors are responsible for ensuring that their customers are provided a copy of appropriate MSDS. Employers must have an MSDS for each hazardous substance at the worksite. Characteristics: No specified format Specific information requirements Must be in English Generally sent with each shipment If not received, MSDS should be requested MSDS must be obtained for all hazardous substances: Before the hazardous substance is used Must be adequate, with all information complete Content MSDS must provide detailed information on: Potential hazardous effects Physical and chemical characteristics Appropriate protective measures PPE Accessibility MSDS s must be: Readily accessible Paper copies in central location Information over the phone is not acceptable except under the mobile worksite provision INFORMATION AND TRAINING Employee Information and Training Training and information provided: For each employee who may be exposed Prior to initial assignment to work with a hazardous substance CONTROL OF HAZARDOUS ENERGIES CLICKSAFETY.COM, INC. PAGE 5 OF 8
Whenever the hazard changes Definitions The term exposure and exposed means: An employee is subjected to a hazardous substance in the course of employment through any route of entry (inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, or absorption) and includes potential exposure such as accidental or possible exposure Training Guidelines Information and training may be conducted by: Individual substance By categories of hazards (such as flammability or carcinogenicity) Requirements Information must include: Requirements of Hazard Communication and worksite program Operations where hazardous substances present Location and availability of the written program, hazardous substances inventory, and MSDS Employee training Employee training must include: Methods to detect presence or release Physical and health hazards Measures to protect Details of HazCom program HAZCOM CHECKLIST HazCom Checklist To promote HazCom you must: Obtain copy of standard Read and understand HazCom requirements Know responsible persons for the HazCom program Check inventory of hazardous substances Information has been given and training conducted Program procedures in place Program elements are rechecked often To promote compliance: Check containers for labeling Check MSDS for each hazardous substance Know location and elements of worksite HazCom written program Make sure MSDS is available CONTROL OF HAZARDOUS ENERGIES CLICKSAFETY.COM, INC. PAGE 6 OF 8
Further Assistance Further assistance may be obtained from your: Company safety officer OSHA office Insurance carrier Safety and industrial hygiene consultant SUMMARY Hazard Communication Hazard Communication Standard: Published in Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 5194 California's Hazard Communication Program is nearly identical to the Federal OSHA standard with very few differences Purpose Purpose of HazCom is to ensure that: Hazard of chemicals and substances are evaluated Hazardous Substances are properly labeled MSDS is available Information is transmitted to employers and employees ClickSafety.com, Inc. phone: 925.855.7233 333 Camille Ave. fax: 925.855.8989 Alamo, CA 94507 www.clicksafety.com 2003 ClickSafety.com, Inc. All rights reserved. ClickSafety and the corporate logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of ClickSafety.com, Inc. in the United States. All other company and product names are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. ClickSafety.com, Inc. cannot guarantee completion of any future products or product features mentioned in this document, and no reliance should be placed on their availability. Printed in the U.S.A. CONTROL OF HAZARDOUS ENERGIES CLICKSAFETY.COM, INC. PAGE 7 OF 8
COURSE NOTES: CONTROL OF HAZARDOUS ENERGIES CLICKSAFETY.COM, INC. PAGE 8 OF 8