Welcome to the Hazard Communication Course THE GLOSSARY A glossary is included in the Resources section on the home page of this course and on the OH&S website. These terms will be on the quiz. THE HAZARD COMMUNICATION STANDARD In 1985 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) created a standard requiring employers to inform workers about chemical hazards in the work place, called the Hazard Communication Standard. It specifies standards for Labeling, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), Training, and A required written plan. The purpose of the standard is to ensure that workers know: What hazardous materials are present in the workplace, Where hazardous materials are stored, and How to properly store and handle the materials. UAB AND OSHA SAFETY POLICIES UAB has safety policies that closely follow OSHA rules. THE REQUIRED HAZARD ANALYSIS It is important to know what chemicals are in the work area and what hazards they present. A hazard analysis is an examination of the work area to determine what hazardous materials and conditions are present and/or in use in the work area. It should include 1) an inventory and listing and 2) an assessment of the work environment. OH&S Hazard Communication 05/10 Page 1
A hazard analysis includes: An inventory of hazardous materials present in the work area, and A listing of hazards that materials present during routine use and emergencies. The assessment of the work environment, included in the hazard analysis, is to determine whether there is: Sufficient lighting, Trip hazards, Proper machine guards, and Other hazardous conditions. Chemicals on the floor, sitting side-byside, unlabeled? No! CORRECTING AND/OR REDUCING THE HAZARDS After the initial examination, all of the hazards should be reduced as much as possible. 1. Switch to a material or process without hazards. This is the preferred method. 2. Use engineering methods, such as forced air ventilation. This is one of the best ways to reduce hazards if switching to a non-hazardous materials or process (as mentioned in the previous step) is not possible. 3. Improve work practices by: Limiting the time employees are allowed to work in an area, Using personal protective equipment (eye protection, gloves, respirators), and Reading the labels of materials before they are used. LABELS FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS Hazardous materials are required to have labels written in English. Other languages may be present on the label, but regulations require the primary language to be English. OH&S Hazard Communication 05/10 Page 2
The labels must contain the following information: 1. The name and address of the chemical manufacturer or importer. 2. The identity of the hazardous material. This must match the identity on the MSDS. 3. Any appropriate warnings (words, pictures, symbols, or some combination) of the physical and health hazards that the material poses. TRANSFERRING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS FROM THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER TO A NEW CONTAINER When transferring materials from a labeled to an unlabeled container, always take the time to clearly label the new container. Unlabeled containers can lead to accidents and additional disposal costs. WHAT SHOULD SHAWNA DO? SCENARIO 1 Shawna has used benzyl alcohol and has transferred it to a smaller bottle without a label. She is responsible for correctly labeling the newly transferred chemicals. Which of the labels shown to the right has the correct amount and type of information on it? If you chose the first one, or the one with less information, you d be right. The container holding the transferred materials must have the correct name and any hazards. WHAT SHOULD SHAWNA DO? SCENARIO 2 Shawna is performing an experiment. Does she have to label the portable containers? No, she does not. The only exception to the labeling requirement is when the material is transferred to a portable container for immediate use by the person who transferred the material. OH&S Hazard Communication 05/10 Page 3
READING THE ORIGINAL LABEL The best method of protecting yourself and others from the hazardous materials in your area is to read the label before using the product. Manufacturers of hazardous materials are required to provide information on hazardous materials that they produce. The name of the chemical and the hazardous ingredients used Physical hazards - For example, is it corrosive, flammable, reactive, or explosive? Health hazards Can this cause irritation or cancer? Is it toxic? Precautionary measures What should YOU do to stay safe while using this product? First aid instructions just in case of an emergency. The name, address, and phone number of the manufacturer or importer. Always remember to read the label first. MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS Sometimes more information about a hazardous material is needed. This information is provided in the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provided with the product. Manufacturers are required to provide this information for all hazardous materials they produce. Regulations required that: the MSDS must be made available to all workers handling a hazardous material, and employees must have access to the MSDS during their work shift. Most Material Data Safety Sheets are designed for much larger institutions and larger quantities of chemicals. However, they can still be used to give YOU the information you need to work safely each day using much smaller amounts. OH&S Hazard Communication 05/10 Page 4
An MSDS must contain: The name of the chemical or material The chemical and common names of the hazardous ingredients Physical hazards Health hazards Routes of entry Carcinogen likelihood Exposure limits Handling and use safety precautions Control measures applicable to the chemical Emergency and first aid procedures The date of preparation Responsible party information Optional information View an example of a MSDS here or on the home page of the course under Job Aids and Resources or on the OH&S website. TYPES OF HAZARDS CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL Materials may be hazardous because of their chemical or physical properties. Here you see what can happen when oxidizers, reactives, and gas cylinders explode. The chemicals shown here are marked with symbols to indicate their hazardous properties. CHEMICAL HAZARDS Most of the chemical effects are dependent on the quantity of material that gets into the system. This is affected by the concentration of the hazardous substance, the length of time and the route of exposure (ingested, inhaled, or through the skin). Chemical hazards are based on the chemical properties of the material. These may include toxins, nephrotoxins, and hepatotoxins. Toxins are primarily poisons. An example would be sodium cyanide. OH&S Hazard Communication 05/10 Page 5
Nephrotoxins are poisons that can damage the kidneys. An example would be sodium fluoride. Hepatotoxins are liver damaging poisons like the acetaminophen found in Tylenol. Carcinogens are cancer causing substances such as asbestos. Teratogens are substances that cause birth defects like thalidomide. Sensitizers can cause allergic reactions. One example would be poison ivy. Sensitizers are different from the others. It s not the quantity, the concentration, length of time, or route. Sensitizers cause the individual to develop an allergy to the specific substance. They do this by sensitizing the person the first time they are exposed. Frequently, there is little or no reaction the first time; however, subsequent exposures may result in allergic reactions ranging from mild to severe. Poison Ivy Reaction OH&S Hazard Communication 05/10 Page 6
PHYSICAL HAZARDS Physical hazards are hazards based on the physical properties of substances. Examples of physical hazards are: Flammables Explosives Compressed gasses Oxidizers, ex. Bleach, hydrogen peroxide Water reactive materials, ex. sodium Go to YouTube to watch this five minute long video to see a demonstration of sodium/water reaction. If you d like to view it later, the link is on the home page of this course and the OH&S website. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvskxd_vvyk) PROPER HANDLING OF COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDERS Chemicals inside compressed gas cylinders may be may be flammable, combustible, explosive, oxidizing, corrosive, or toxic. The sudden release of these materials can cause: fire and/or explosions, exposure to toxic gases, or even asphyxiation (suffocation) if the released gas displaces room air. Compressed gas cylinders that are not secured properly can pose both chemical and physical hazards. Follow these precautions to help prevent hazards: Individually secure compressed gas cylinders to a stable object using chains, straps or cages. Store the cylinders in well-ventilated areas away from incompatible materials, sources of flame or heat, or areas where they may receive damage. Ensure that the protective valve caps are in place when the cylinders are not in use. Do not switch caps since not all suppliers use the same cap threads. Not secured! Three missing thread caps OH&S Hazard Communication 05/10 Page 7
HAZARD WARNING SYSTEMS HMIS AND NFPA The two main hazard warning systems used by manufacturers are the: Hazardous Materials Information System (HMIS) and The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) You should be familiar with both labels in case of an emergency. THE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INFORMATION SYSTEM (HMIS) LABEL The red bar (Flammability) indicates the fire hazard of the substance: 0 = no fire risk 4 = extreme fire risk The name of the substance appears here. This should be the same name as the name on the MSDS. The blue bar (Health) is for information about the health effects of the substance: 0 = little to no risk 4 = extreme risk * (asterisk) = chronic (long term) The yellow or orange bar (Physical Hazard) indicates the physical hazards (stability) that may be associated with the material: 0 = no physical risk 4 = high physical risk This area lists the personal protection that needs to be worn when working with this material. The ratings are based on: The material's physical characteristics and The potential to release violent energy under conditions of: Fire, Water contact, High temperature pressure, or Proximity to activating agents. OH&S Hazard Communication 05/10 Page 8
THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA) LABEL Blue=Health This number and color indicates the health effects of the substance: Numbers 0-4 indicates level of risk for health effects 0 = little or no risk 4 = extreme risk Red=Flammability The color and the number indicates the flammability of the substance: Numbers 0-4 indicates level of flammability 0 = least flammable 4 = extremely flammable Yellow=Instability The color and the number indicates the instability of the material: Numbers 0-4 indicates level of stability White=Other Both the color and the symbol indicate if there are any special hazards associated with the material. 0 = normally stable 3 or 4 = would explode in a fire DEVELOPING YOUR AREA S SPILL PLAN Hazardous material spills are an unfortunate consequence of working with hazardous materials. And because of the unique hazards of biological materials and infectious agents, a spill plan must be developed for the agents in your specific area. Everyone working in the area should be familiar with the plan. Your area s plan should include these four essential elements: Personal protective equipment (This should include a list of all the PPE you may need when a spill occurs in the area.) Assessment of the extent and nature of the spill (In other words, what constitutes a large or small spill and could a small spill be considered large due to the nature of the substance or material.) Disinfection and methods of disinfection (Remember, not all disinfectants work with all substances or materials.) Disposal (What do you do with the materials used to clean up the spill.) A guide for developing your own basic spill plan can be found on the home page of this course in the Resources folder and on the Occupational Health and Safety web site. OH&S Hazard Communication 05/10 Page 9
A BASIC SPILL KIT There should be a spill kit readily available in all areas where hazardous materials are used or stored. They can be purchased readymade or assembled from readily available materials. A basic spill kit should include: chemical resistant gloves, safety glasses or goggles, disposable lab coats, aprons or gowns, paper towels, spill booms or pillows, vermiculite, a small disposable plastic broom and dust pan, Ziploc bags, plastic garbage bags, and a small bottle of detergent cleaning solution. Spill kit supplies may be stored in a bucket that can be used to contain the waste generated in the clean up. A basic spill kit is NOT the answer to ALL hazardous materials spills. There are different spill kits available for different hazardous substances and materials. Make sure that you have the right items in your spill kit for the type of materials in your area. For more information about spill kits, a PDF file is available on home page of this course and on the OH&S website. IS IT A SMALL OR LARGE SPILL? At UAB spills are classified as small or large based on the volume of the spilled material. Spills of 500 ml (one pint/two cups) or less are generally considered small. Spills of more than 500 ml are considered large. Spills of less than 500 ml may be considered large spills if the material involved is particularly hazardous. OH&S Hazard Communication 05/10 Page 10
HANDLING SMALL SPILLS CORRECTLY Small liquid spills are handled differently from small powder and solid spills. For small liquid spills: Consult the MSDS or read the label on the container. Don the appropriate PPE. Get the spill kit. Clean up the spill promptly. Use paper towels, spill pillows, or vermiculite to absorb liquids. Dispose of the absorbent materials as chemical waste. For small powder and solid spills: Consult the MSDS or read the label on the container. Don the appropriate PPE. Sweep up the spilled material carefully. Avoid vigorous sweeping or other actions that might generate respirable dust. Keep the spilled materials contained as much as possible. Dispose of the contaminated materials properly, and/or clean the materials used to clean up the spill. HANDLING LARGE SPILLS APPROPRIATELY Large spills are handled differently from small spills. There are always specific steps to follow in case of a large hazardous spill. Generally, you should know: The location of the safety showers and eyewash stations in your area. Corrosive materials require immediate attention. Evacuation routes in case it is necessary. Who to contact: For injuries For clean up What to tell physicians and the Hazardous Materials Manager (or designee) What to do after someone has been injured OH&S Hazard Communication 05/10 Page 11
Once the Hazardous Materials Manager (or designee) and the spill response team arrive, they are in charge. They have been specially trained to handle these types of spills. If you or anyone else deliberately breaches the authority of the spill response team at the site of a spill, thereby jeopardizing the health and safety of other UAB employees, you may be subject to disciplinary action. MERCURY Mercury is a heavy metal that is a silver liquid at room temperature. It is frequently found in thermometers and thermostats. When mercury is spilled, it can vaporize (become airborne) over time. The rate that it becomes a vapor depends on the temperature; higher temperatures mean more mercury vapor in the air. Mercury vapor is harmful when inhaled and can accumulate in the body over time. This makes it very important to deal with mercury spills as quickly as possible. For this reason, the Department of Occupational Health and Safety has changed the mercury spill policy to recommend that groups using small amounts of mercury (ex: mercury thermometers) have a mercury spill kit on-hand to clean up small spills. Information on a mercury spill kit is available on the home page under Job Aids and Resources and on the OH&S website. HOW TO CLEAN UP A MERCURY SPILL PROPERLY One kit that the department has approved consists of a sponge with a layer of granulated zinc on one side. The zinc will amalgamate with the mercury as you clean. 1 Follow these procedures to properly cleanup a mercury spill. First, clean up the mercury by gathering all the droplets. Second, use a suction tube or syringe to get up as much as possible. 2 OH&S Hazard Communication 05/10 Page 12
Third, store the spilled mercury in a labeled container. 3 Fourth, put the sponge on the spilled mercury and/or the contaminated area, zinc side down, and move the sponge in clockwise circles from the outside working in toward the center. 4 Follow the manufacturer s instructions for re-use and/or disposal. BIOHAZARDOUS AND RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS SPILLS If you are not trained to handle biohazardous or radioactive materials, do not attempt to clean up spills or decontaminate personnel or equipment. For emergencies or spills during the normal business day, call the OH&S direct line (205) 934-2487. They will direct your call to the proper person. During non-business hours and holidays, please call the Safety-on-Call through UAB Paging at 934-3411 or page 8744 through the online link www.paging.uab.edu. More information on radioactive materials can be found in the Radiation Safety Procedures Manual on the Occupational Health and Safety web site. WEARING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Wearing the appropriate PPE is very important when working with or around hazardous substances or materials. Don all PPE necessary to work with the hazard. The appropriate PPE should be available and used by all persons, including visitors, who enter areas where hazardous materials are used or stored. OH&S Hazard Communication 05/10 Page 13
Protect your eyes by wearing safety glasses when there is a chance of materials striking the eyes. Wear splash goggles if you are working with liquid chemicals. Wear the appropriate type of gloves. No one type of glove protects against all chemicals. Ask your lab supervisor or manager or call the Department of Occupational Health and Safety if you need more information about the best type of glove to wear with a particular chemical. Wear your clean, buttoned lab coat while working with hazardous materials. While lab coats don t always protect you fully from spills and splashes, they provide another level of protection between your skin and the chemicals. Lab coats should always be clean to prevent cross-contamination. Use the engineering controls (like fume hoods). These are preferable to wearing respirators. However, if these are not able to adequately protect workers, respirators must be used. Before wearing a respirator, you must undergo medical screening, training, and fit testing. If you need to wear a respirator for your work, contact the Department of Occupational Health and Safety. THE END This concludes the OH&S Hazard Communications course. Recertification is required annually. Please return to the home page of this course to take the quiz. 80% or higher is required to pass. OH&S Hazard Communication 05/10 Page 14