Labels & Labeling = Exposure to chemicals

 

Overview

Exposure to chemicals sometimes poses a threat to health for many workers. The Depart­ment of Labor estimates that up to 32 million workers are potentially exposed to one or more chemical hazards.

How can it hurt me?

Chemical exposure may cause or contribute to many serious health effects such as heart ail­ments; kidney, liver and lung damage; sterility; cancer; and burns and rashes. Some chemi­cals may present physical hazards, having the potential to cause fires or explosions.

OSHA developed the Hazard Communication standard to establish uniform requirements for informing employees about hazards related to workplace chemicals.

What must my employer do?

The Hazard Communication standard ensures that the hazards of all chemicals produced are evaluated, and that information concerning these hazards is transmitted to employers and employees.

Your employer must: •          implement a hazard communication program in your workplace. •          obtain MSDS and labels for each hazardous chemical in your workplace. •          identify and list the hazardous chemicals in your workplace. •          design and implement an employee protection program. •          train you, and provide information on hazardous chemicals. •          assure your access to the MSDSs and the company written program.

Labeling requirements

Each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace must be labeled, tagged, or marked with:

•      The identity of the chemical.

•      Physical and health warnings for the chemicals.

•      The name and address of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party.

 

HAZWOPER

 

You could be exposed to chemical spills or hazardous waste. During excavation operations, for example, many companies have been surprised by the sometimes deadly things they haveuncovered. That’s why OSHA created 29 CFR 1926.65, HAZWOPER. Under this rule, your employer can either (1) participate in the handling of emergencies involving hazardous waste or chemical spills, or (2) immediately evacuate workers and call in trained hazardous materials (HazMat) teams.

How can HAZWOPER involve you?

Preparing for accidental chemical releases involves special training. OSHA has set up formal training for emergency responders under HAZWOPER regulations, with training levels ranging from awareness training for first response to technical training for those who solve problems associated with spill cleanup.

What should you do in case of a spill?

Whether it’s a solid or a liquid leak or spill, you can be exposed to toxic dust or vapor without even knowing it. If you are properly trained, act with care and speed. However, if you have not received training, do not respond to a chemical leak or spill. Instead, follow your company’s emergency action plan for reporting leaks and spills and evacuating.

While it is vital to avoid panic, it is equally vital to get people out of harm’s way as quickly as possible. Assess site hazards and act only when you do not endanger yourself. You want to help your fellow employees, but you won’t do that if you become a victim yourself.

Some of the things you can do before help arrives are:

·                  Determine the potential hazards. (Look at the material safety data sheet.)

·                  Know about spill equipment and safety personnel.

·                  Know the exits and escape routes.

·                  Know the location of fire extinguishers.

·                  Know first aid and where to get first aid equipment.

Act responsibly in chemical spill emergencies

Safety becomes extremely important when hazardous chemicals are spilled. A mistake here can be deadly. Use the buddy system, whether you’re part of the emergency response team or not. Don’t ever enter a chemical emergency situation alone.

Different chemicals will require different levels of protective clothing or other precautions. Don’t touch spills without protection. Avoid contaminated clothing of injured persons. Certainly, if the chemicals involved aren’t hazardous, respond immediately within your abilities.

Do only those things that you possess adequate training to perform. Check the area for potential hazards such as electrical cords or wires near the spill or obstacles in the path of the emergency response team. Check for injuries and notify emergency medical personnel. Decontaminate victims, if possible. Cooperate with emergency personnel when they arrive, and pass on any information you’ve gathered.

Emergency Response Plan

 

Overview

Proper emergency planning and response are important elements of the safety and health program that helps minimize employee exposure and injury. The standard requires that the employer develop and implement a written emergency response plan to handle possible emergencies before performing hazardous waste operations.

What must be in the plan? The plan must include the following elements: •          personnel roles, lines of authority, and communication procedures, •          pre-emergency planning, •          emergency recognition and prevention, •          emergency medical and first-aid treatment, •          methods or procedures for alerting onsite workers, •          safe distances and places of refuge,

•      Site security and control,

•      Decontamination procedures,

•      Critique of response and follow-up,

•      Personal protective and emergency equipment, and

•      Evacuation routes and procedures.

What must I do?

Each employee who has the potential to be exposed to a hazardous substance release should know:

·            What hazards are present in the workplace.

·            How to obtain a written copy of the emergency planning and response plan.