Labels & Labeling for Construction

One out of every four workers contacts hazardous chemicals on the job. As a construction worker, you have a need and a right to know the chemicals to which you are exposed, their hazards, and how to protect yourself when working. This simple concept is the basis of the Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom). Labeling is the part of HazCom that requires a label on containers so that you are alerted to the fact that a potential hazard exists. Because labels are right on a container, in most cases, you can immediately find out what the chemical’s hazards are. The label’s message about the hazards is the “hazard warning label.”

Take a look at a hazardous chemical container in your facility, it should have a label. This label should have the following minimum information:

• Hazardous chemical name — the identity of the chemical(s) contained inside the container. The name used may be a common or trade name (“Black Magic Formula”), or a chemical name (1,1,1-trichloroethane)

• Hazard warning(s) — brief information regarding the physical and health hazards of the chemicals. Hazard warnings won’t be the most complete source of hazard information; they are meant to be brief (i.e., “flammable,” or “causes lung damage”).

If you need more information than that printed on the label, refer to the material safety data sheet for the chemical, the chemical inventory, and/or your company’s HazCom written program. Ask your safety director to help you.

Your company probably receives chemicals from several manufacturers. These manufacturers will label containers differently. For this reason, your company may have developed or adopted a single labeling system to help you recognize and understand labels, which can make it easier for you to identify potential hazards. Original labels may remain on the original container along with or instead of a uniform label. Learn how to understand whatever labels are in use.

Like anything, labels wear out. They become soiled or unreadable, or they fall off. When you see this happen, let your supervisor know (so he/she can replace the label) and get instructions for using the chemical.

Does everything need a label?
There are a few situations that do not require HazCom labeling.
These include:

• Portable containers of chemicals that you have transferred from a labeled container when you are the only person who will handle the unlabeled container and it will not be used on other shifts.

• Products like foods, drugs, cosmetics which are regulated by other agencies.

• Solid metals such as steel beams or metal castings that do not go through a process resulting in emissions.

• Individual stationary process containers that use signs, batch tickets, or placards instead of labels.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency