Hazard Communication

HAZARD COMMUNICATION

Training Module

29 CFR 1910.1200

PURPOSE: "The purpose of this section is to ensure that the hazards of the chemicals produced or imported are evaluated, and that information concerning their hazards is transmitted to employers and employees. This transmittal of information is to be accomplished by means of comprehensive hazard communication

programs, which are to include container labeling and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets and employee training."

TOXICOLOGY

The science that deals with the quantitative effects of chemicals or toxicants on living systems.

Applicable to all occupations where chemicals are used.

Quantitatively all chemicals are poisonous. Example: If a person ate enough salt or sugar at one time it would probably harm them in some way.

Dose vs ExposureDose is the amount of a substance that was actually taken into the body.

Exposure is the amount of a substance that an individual came into contact with.

In the field dosage is very difficult to calculate since a person's dosage depends on many different variables (breathing rate, breathing volume, exposure time, etc.).

Exposure is much easier to measure, therefore, calculations in the field of toxicology are based on a person's exposure rather than the actual dose they received.

ConcentrationThe concentration of a substance is a measure of the "strength" of that substance.

Example: A 50% salt water solution is more concentrated (stronger) than a 10% salt water solution.

Concentration can be measured in many ways:

%=Parts per hundred

PPM=Parts per million

PPB=Parts per billion

Mg/M³=Number of milligrams of chemical in a cubic meter of air

Portals of Entry

Areas of the body where chemicals can enter.

INGESTION

Poisoning through this portal of entry is completely avoidable. It is usually the result of eating, drinking, smoking, etc., in places where chemicals are being used. In most cases there is no excuse for chemical poisoning through this route of entry. It emphasizes the need to wash hands thoroughly after using chemicals. Good common sense will usually prevent poisoning via this route.

Absorbtion

Chemicals can enter the body through abraded or unabraded skin. Many chemicals can absorb through the skin and directly enter the bloodstream. This can lead to damage of blood cells, liver, kidneys and other vital organs.

Caustic chemicals, such as acids and alkalis, can also severely burn the skin.

Inhalation

Since the lungs are very vascular chemicals may enter the lungs through the bloodstream or damage the delicate tissues of the lungs.

Chemicals can enter the body via the lungs through mists, fumes, vapors, and gases. Not all chemicals have unpleasant smells and many are odorless so we do not even know we are inhaling them. Many chemicals may even deaden the sense of smell after a time.

Poisoning through inhalation is probably one of the most common ways chemicals enter the body.

What makes a substance hazardous ?????

Ask yourself these questions.

Is the substance:

FLAMMABLE

CORROSIVE

EXPLOSIVE

RADIOACTIVE

TOXIC

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Is the substance FLAMMABLE (COMBUSTIBLE)

Does the substance produce vapors that will burn?

A "FLAMMABLE " substance has a flash point below 100 F (Ex. Gasoline).

A COMBUSTIBLE substance has a flash point at or above 100 F (Ex. Kerosene).

FLASH POINT---The minimum temperature at which a liquid will produce vapors that will burn.

Fire Extinguishers

When working with Flammable materials know the location and proper use of extinguisher. Make sure that the extinguisher has the proper rating.

Click here to see FIRE EXTINGUISHER TRAINING MODULE
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Is the substance CORROSIVE???

Is the substance an ACID or an ALKALI?

These substance are sometimes called CAUSTICS because they will burn or damage the skin on contact?

Examples are: Hydrochloric Acid

Sulfuric Acid

Sodium Hydroxide

Drain Cleaners

Oven Cleaners

These chemicals can also burn the lungs if the fumes are inhaled!!!

Is the substance EXPLOSIVE?????

Will the substance cause a sudden release of mechanical energy upon heating, bumping, shaking, etc.????

Examples: Blasting caps

Black powder

Dynamite

Nitroglycerine

Is the substance RADIOACTIVE???

Does the substance emit energy in the form of ionizing radiation?????

Is the substance TOXIC ???????

Ask yourself these questions

Is the substance:

Cancer producing

Leukogenic
Leukemia producing

Mutagenic
Causing mutations

Teratogenic
Effecting the fetus

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All Chemicals are Toxic at some concentration. Toxicology is the study of the quantitative effect of chemical substance on living systems. The Dose-Response relationship is a fundamental concept of Toxicology that illustrates the quantitative nature of this field of study.

THE DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIP
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In relatively small doses, will the substance cause ACUTE or CHRONIC adverse effects to the body?

Acute Effects vs Chronic EffectsAcute A response that has a sudden onset. Usually the result of a large dose over a short period of time. Example dizziness, headache, nausea, etc.

Chronic A delayed response that is usually the result of lower dosages over a long period (many years) of time. Examples: liver damage, cancer, kidney damage.

Although both are serious, chronic effects can go unnoticed until the damage is often times irreversible.

Some Other Toxicological Terms

LD₅₀ Lethal Dose₅₀ is the dosage of a chemical need to kill 50% of a test population.

LC₅₀ Lethal Concentration₅₀ is the concentration of a chemical necessary to kill 50% of a test population.

IDLH Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health is the concentration where one could escape within 30 minutes without use of a respirator.

Target Organs Those organs of the human body which are directly effected by exposure to a given chemical.

Permissible Exposure Limit

(PEL)

Time Weighted Average

(TWA)

OSHA standard for chemical exposure.

It is the maximum concentration of a chemical that a worker can be exposed to for eight hours a day, five days a week without suffering any ill effects. PEL's are calculated on a Time Weighted Average.

Example of PEL Calculation

Calculation of Time Weighted Average for Carbon Monoxide (CO) in a motor pool area.

PEL for Carbon Monoxide is 35 parts per million (ppm)

Carbon Monoxide Levels in Motor Pool

Beginning Time	Ending Time	Total Time	Exposure Conc.	Total Time X Exposure Conc
8:00am	9:00am	1hr	50 ppm	1 X 50=50
9:00am	11:00am	2hr	35 ppm	2 X 35=70
11:00am	12:00pm	1hr	20 ppm	1 X 20=20
12:00pm	1:00pm	1hr	0 ppm	1 X 0=0
1:00pm	3:00pm	2hr	10 ppm	2 X 10=20
3:00pm	4:00pm	1hr	5 ppm	1 X 5=5
Totals	*****	8hr	*****	165

Time Weighted Average=C1T1 + C2T2 + C...T...

Total Time

TWA=50+70+20+0+20+5 = 165
8hr 8 hr

Time Weighted Average=20.625 ppm

Does not exceed the PEL.

Permissible Exposure Limits-Ceiling

Since the OSHA PEL for Carbon Monoxide is 35 ppm the motor pool area is safe based on an Eight Hour Time Weighted Average even though for one hour the employee was exposed to 50 ppm of carbon monoxide.

The Permissible Exposure Level-Ceiling is the concentration of a substance that an employee cannot be exposed to even for an instant.

For Carbon Monoxide the PEL-Ceiling is 200 ppm. An employee can never be exposed to a ceiling level even if the

PEL-TWA is below the allowable concentration.

Some Permissible Exposure Levels of Some Common Chemicals

Chemical	PEL TWA	PEL CEILING	IDLH
Carbon Monoxide	35ppm	200ppm	1500ppm
Isopropyl Alcohol	400ppm	500ppm	12000ppm
Toluene	100ppm	150ppm	2000ppm
Ammonia	25ppm	35ppm	500ppm

Agencies Responsible for Setting Standards

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

An agency of the federal government under the Department of Health and Human Service. The "research arm" of OSHA. Does research on all aspects of workplace heath and safety.

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)

A private organization (not a government entity) who also does research on workplace health and safety.

Hazardous Materials can exist in

all three phases of matter

Solids

Liquids

Gases

Dangers of Compressed Gases

Compressed gases can exhibit all the properties of other hazardous substances.

FLAMMABLE
CORROSIVE
EXPLOSIVE
TOXIC

Compressed gases are always unstable and under extreme pressure.

Can be cryogenic (extremely cold).

Should always be handled with care and well secured to keep them from falling.

Click here to view the OSHA regulations on the handling and storage of compressed gases
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Chemical Labeling

By law all hazardous chemicals must have a label that alerts the users as to all of the associated hazards.

Although the main burden of proper labeling rests with the manufacturer of the chemical, under the HazCom Standard users of these chemicals have the obligation to properly label substances when they are transferred from their original container to another container. When transferring chemical from their original container to another container the transfer container must contain all of the labeling information as to HAZARD as the original container.

National Fire Protection Association Labeling System
Click to See NFPA Label

Alternate Form of Labeling
Click to See HMIS Labeling System

Presently there is no standard on the type of labeling that must be used. Manufacturers of chemicals, however, are trying to standardize labeling by using some form of the NFPA label or the one shown here. In any case labeling is an integral part of the Hazard Communication Standard.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

All chemical manufacturers are required by law to supply Material Safety Data Sheets with all chemical purchases.

Employers are required to have MSDS readily available to employees.

Employees should review the MSDS before working with any new chemical.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment is the last resort in protection against chemical hazards. If it is impossible to eliminate the hazard then PPE should be used after proper training. Make sure to select the proper PPE for the situation.

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Medical Surveillance

Employees should be aware of the signs and symptoms of adverse reactions to chemicals. If an employee suffers an exposure the safety officer/health officer should be notified so that proper medical treatment, which may include laboratory tests, may be administered. The MSDS sheets should be a reference for signs and symptoms of adverse reactions to specific chemicals.

????QUESTIONS????

If you have specific questions regarding this training module or YSU's Hazard Communication Program please call EOHS at Extension 3700.

RECOGNIZING HAZARDS

PLACARDS: USED IN SHIPPING

LABELS: PRESENT ON BOTTLES

SHIPPING PAPERS: PRESENT INSIDE VEHICLES

SENSES: SMELL AND HEARING. BUT DO NOT RELY ON SMELL AS SOME CHEMICALS ARE ODORLESS

ALARMS: LISTEN FOR ALARMS THAT ARE IN AREAS WHERE CHEMICALS ARE PRESENT.

A LOT IS UP TO YOU

1. IDENTIFY HAZARDS BEFORE YOU START THE JOB.

2. RESPECT ALL PRECAUTIONS AND WARNING SIGNS.

3. ASK YOUR SUPERVISOR OR CONTACT EOHS IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.

4. READ LABELS AND SIGNS.

5. KNOW WHERE TO FIND HAZARD COMMUNICATION INFORMATION.

6. USE THE CORRECT PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.

7. TREAT HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS WITH RESPECT.

8. WORK IN WELL VENTILATED AREAS.

9. KNOW EVACUATION PROCEDURES.

10. PRACTICE SAFE WORK HABITS.

11. USE COMMON SENSE.

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