Hazcom

OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard is also known as the Employee’s Right To Know.  It is the employee’s right to know the hazards and identities of the chemicals they are exposed to while on the jobsite.  This standard also lets employees know what protective measures are available to prevent adverse effects from occurring.

Employers are required to develop a written Hazard Communication Program and train their employees on these programs.  OSHA also requires that a copy of this program be on each jobsite.

All containers must be labeled with their contents and hazard warnings.  When containers come from the manufacturer they must contain these labels.  The problem arises when these labels fall off or material is transferred to other containers.  If you find a container with a label missing it must not be left unattended until it is labeled or disposed of properly.  If you are putting a material into a smaller container you must label the smaller container.  A few examples that we frequently run into are putting glue into a glue gun or putting paint thinner into a jar for the glue gun tips.  These containers must be labeled.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) must be onsite for any chemical that we will be using.  The MSDS gives employees information on each product including:  Company and Product Information, Ingredients, Hazard Identification, First Aid Measures, Fire Fighting Measures, Accidental Release Measures, Handling and Storage, Exposure Controls/Personal Protective Equipment, Physical and Chemical Properties, Chemical Stability and Reactivity Information, Toxicological Information, Ecological Information, Disposal Considerations, Transport Information, Regulatory Information and Other Information.

Employees shall be trained in the methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the work area, the physical and health hazards of the chemical in the work area, the measures employees can take to protect themselves from these hazards, and the details of the hazard communication program developed by the employer.

Gribbins Insulation’s Hazard Communication Program and all MSDS are located in the Safety Manual in Section 7.  If employees have questions on materials in use, they may look at the MSDS to determine what hazards that product presents.  It is required that the Safety Manual be onsite to cover the Hazard Communication requirements.  The manual is also available here on our website.  The required password may be obtained from the Safety Department.

 

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