OSHA HAZARD COMMUNICATION STANDARD INFORMATION

HOW TO COMPLY WITH THE OSHA HAZARD COMMUNICATION STANDARD

The following steps should aid you in complying with the standard and in developing your hazard communication program.

1. Read the Standard.
   • Make sure you understand the provisions of the standard.
   • Know your responsibility as an employer.
2. List the Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace.
   • Walk around the workplace, read all you can about all materials that may be hazardous; the manufacturer's product name, location, and telephone number; and the work area where the product is used. Be sure to include hazardous chemicals that are generated in the work operation but are not in a container (e.g., welding fumes).
   • Check your purchase records to ensure that all hazardous chemicals purchased are included on your list.
   • Review your list and determine whether any substances are exempt.
   • Establish a file on hazardous chemicals used in your workplace, and include a copy of the latest MSDS's, and any other pertinent information.
   • Develop procedures to keep your list current. When new substances are used, add them to your list.
3. Obtain Material Safety Data Sheets for All Chemical Substances.
   • If you do not have an MSDS for a hazardous substance in your workplace, request a copy from the chemical manufacturer, distributor or importer as soon as possible. An MSDS must accompany or precede the shipment and must be used to obtain identifying information such as the chemical name and the hazards of a particular substance.
   • Review each MSDS to be sure that it is complete and clearly written. The MSDS must contain the physical and chemical properties of a substance, as well as the physical and health hazards, routes of exposure, precautions for safe handling and use, emergency and first-aid procedures, and control measures. If the MSDS is incomplete or unclear, contact the manufacturer or importer to get clarification on the missing information.
   • Make sure the MSDS is available to employees, designated representatives, and to the Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health.
4. Make Sure that All Containers are Labeled.

The manufacturer, importer or distributor is responsible for labeling containers, but the employer must adhere to the following:

• Ensure that all containers of hazardous substances in the workplace are labeled, tagged or marked and include the identity of the hazardous chemical, and the appropriate hazard warnings. Container labels for purchased chemicals must also include the name and address of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party.
• Check all incoming shipments of hazardous chemicals to be sure that they are labeled.
• If a container is not labeled, obtain a label or the label information from the manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party or prepare a label using information obtained from these sources. Employers are responsible for ensuring that containers in the workplace are labeled, tagged, or marked.
• Do not remove or deface existing labels on containers unless the container is immediately marked with the required information.
• Instruct employees on the importance of labeling portable receptacles into which they have poured hazardous substances. If the portable container is for their immediate use, then the container does not have to be labeled. 5. Develop and Implement a Written Hazard Communication

  Program.

This program must include:

• Container labeling and other forms of warnings;
• Material safety data sheets;
• Employee training based on the list of chemicals, MSDS's, and labeling information; and
• Methods for communicating hazards and protective measures to employees and others.

Future articles in this series will discuss each of these steps in more detail. Search PENpages using the keyword OSHA.

SOURCE: Hazard Communication - A Compliance Kit, by U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 1988, OSHA 3104.

          FARM-MANAGEMENT, HAZARD-COMMUNICATION-STANDARD, HAZARDOUS, HEALTH,
          OCCUPATION, OSHA, REFERENCE, SAFETY, STANDARD, WORKPLACE

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%f TITLE;HOW TO COMPLY WITH - OSHA
%f COLLECTION;FARM AND OPERATOR SAFETY
%f ORIGIN;Pennsylvania
%f DATE_INCLUDED;June 1992