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10-13-1995 11 -23PM FROM • � E 1VE�� • MAY 2 7 2003 Hazard Communication liNidumAu,roe.uu4'11Y AM OF EMERGENCY SERVICE Introduetion Chemicals are certainly useful, on the job and off. But as we all know by now,many chemicals are hazardous to your health if you are exposed to too much of them or if the exposure is too direct. We want to be sure that you're comfortable with your knowledge of the chemical hazards here at Delicato and that you know how to go about reducing the risk they pose to you. The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard(29 CFR 1910.1200)is a very detailed regulation, which sets out specific requirements for chemical manufacturers, companies that use chemicals, and employees who use chemicals or could be exposed to them in the course of their jobs. The chemical manufacturers are responsible for determining the physical and health hazards of the products they make and providing that information on container labels and material safety data sheets (MSDS). Employers have a number of responsibilities. They must: • Have a written hazard communication program • Provide employees with information and training on the hazardous chemicals they use, including their hazards and protective measures to take to use them safely_ Employees have responsibilities under the Standard, too. You are expected to: • Participate in training ■ Read labels and MSDSs and follow safety procedures- General Hazards The Hazard Communication Standard is specifically concerned with chemical hazards the chemical's physical and health risks to people. A chemical may have three basic physical hazards: 1, Fire_ Under some circumstances a chemical in a liquid, gas, or vapor form, could catch fire. 2. Explosion. Conditions of temperature and pressure might exist to cause a chemical to explode. 3. Reactivity. This is the potential of a chemical to catch fire or explode if it's combined with other chemicals or with water or air. You need to know what the chemical should be kept away from and what situations to avoid. The Haz Corn Standard makes sure you are informed about the possible health hazards of any given chemical,the symptoms to watch out for, and any existing medical condition that the chemical might make worse. Identifvine hazards The whole purpose of Right to Know is for you to be able to readily identify hazards and know what to do to protect yourself from them. It's best to assume that any chemical you work with is hazardous unless you can prove otherwise. And keep in mind that "chemical" is a broad category. Some of the things you use at home are hazardous chemicals, too—including many cleaning solutions,oven cleaners, solvents, etc, We regularly use a number of hazardous chemicals here, and you should become familiar with them. They are listed in the MSDS binders located in your work areas. You should be able to identify the hazards of any chemical before you use it with two key Hazard Communication tools: • Container labels must provide you with basic information on the chemical's hazards and on the basic procedures and protective equipment you should use when working with it. The label may also has basic handling and storage instructions and some first-aid information.