Hazard Communication
In the State of Illinois, employees have both a need and a right to know the hazards and identities of the chemicals that they are exposed to when working in non-laboratory work areas.
There are six elements of the Hazardous Communication Standard (HCS) and Globally Harmonized System (GHS)
- Hazard determination and classification
- Chemical inventory
- Labeling
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
- Employee training
- Written program
Chemical Inventory
It is important to maintain chemical inventories as a vital part of a chemical safety program. Typically, inventories provide a record of content in buildings and in rooms. These records are extremely useful in emergency situations and, additionally, for inventory control.
Any department working with or using hazardous chemicals must complete and maintain a chemical inventory through Chimera. The inventory should include:
- Chemical name (as it appears on the shipping label and SDS)
- Manufacturer’s name and address
- The location of the chemical (building & room).
This information is part of a living document and should be updated whenever chemicals are received and kept with the written Hazardous Communication Plan.
Labeling
According to the Hazard Communication Standard and Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), all containers of hazardous chemicals must be labeled by the manufacturer or importer. The label created and used by the manufacturer is called the shipping label. Chemicals that are transferred to secondary containers must also be labeled with a workplace label.
- Shipped containers that are the original container must be labeled with the GHS label including the identity of the chemical, signal work, pictogram, hazard statements, precautionary statements and the name, address and phone number of the manufacturer.
- Secondary containers (transferred chemicals) must be labeled with the full chemical compound name, the concentration of that chemical, the date the secondary container was created and the initials of whoever created that secondary container. Additionally, a GHS pictographic representation providing information on the physical and health hazards of the chemical should be present. This is called the workplace label.
- No container label should ever be removed or defaced.
- Labels and any form of warning must be legible, prominently displayed, and in English. Any university employee whose native language is not English may add information in their language if all pertinent information is presented in English.
Employee Information
Information will be given to each employee about the hazardous chemicals they use initially and when a new chemical is introduced. Information will include:
- The location of the written program
- The location of the chemical inventory
- Safety Data Sheets
Written Hazard Communication Program
The written HazCom program must include a list the chemicals present in the workplace, who is responsible for labeling, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), non-routine tasks, outside contractors, and employee information and training.
The written program includes information on how the employees gain access to the SDS, identification of hazards and safe measures to follow when working with specific chemicals, the labeling system used in the workplace, record of employee training, hazard specific handling techniques. The written HazCom program is available to employees and annually evaluated for changes and updates.
Outside Contractors
Contractors who perform work on campus need to have a Hazard Communication Program in place. The contractor must inform the campus of any hazardous chemicals they intend to bring in or use while on university property and precautionary measures that need to be taken to protect employees and their labeling system. Likewise, when contractors are working on the campus, they must be informed of any hazardous chemicals that the campus uses that they may encounter or be exposed to in the project area. Both parties must have Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for each hazardous chemical accessible for the duration of the project and provide information on their labeling systems and any precautionary measures that need to be taken to protect employees.
Non-Routine Tasks
Training must be given to inform employees of the physical, health, asphyxiation, combustible dust, and pyrophoric gas hazards of chemicals. Additionally, employees must be informed of precautions needed, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required, first aid, emergency and spill procedures and methods to detect the release or presence of chemicals when required to perform non-routine hazardous tasks.
