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Safety

SDS and Hazard Communication 151

This class focuses on communication methods about hazardous workplace substances. Effective hazard communication increases employee awareness and safety. Education, labeling, data collection, testing, and other communication methods detail the dangers of specific chemicals and offer methods of protection from physical and health hazards. OSHA requires that employers establish a written hazard communication program to communicate employee responsibilities, standard implementation, chemical hazards, and safety measures. Hazard communication programs must include a chemical inventory, specific labeling, Safety Data Sheets for each individual chemical, and training.

After completing this class, users will be able to describe OSHA regulations regarding hazardous materials, Safety Data Sheets, and how these regulations impact daily workplace operations. Understanding these regulations is critical in maintaining workplace safety and efficient operation.

Difficulty Beginner
Format Online
Number of Lessons 22
Language English

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Hazard Communication
Chemicals
Classification of Chemical Hazards
Physical Hazards
Health Hazards
Health Hazards with Target Organ Effects
Hazards Review
Hazard Determination
Labeling Requirements
Labeling Exceptions
Hazard Determination and Labeling Requirements Review
Safety Data Sheets
Safety Data Sheet Requirements
Safety Data Sheet Distribution Requirements
Training Requirements
Safety Data Sheets Review
Hazard Communication Program
Hazard Communication Requirements: Inventory
Hazard Communication Requirements: Labeling
Hazard Communication Requirements: SDS
Hazard Communication Requirements: Training
Review: Hazard Communication Program

Describe the ways hazard communication exists and is enforced.
Describe chemicals not covered by the HCS.
Identify chemical hazard classifications.
Identify types of physical hazards.
Identify types of health hazards with systemic effects.
Identify types of health hazards with target organ effects.
Identify the steps that chemical manufacturers and importers use to make hazard determinations.
Describe OSHA's labeling requirements for hazardous chemicals.
Describe instances in which chemicals do not require labeling.
Define SDS.
Describe the information that OSHA requires an SDS to contain.
Describe SDS distribution requirements.
Describe the hazardous chemical information and training requirements.
Describe the hazard communication program.
Describe the hazardous chemical inventory.
Describe the labeling requirements necessary for a hazardous communication program.
Describe the SDS requirements necessary for a hazardous communication program.
Describe the training requirements necessary for a hazardous communication program.

Vocabulary Term

Definition

acute reaction

A response to chemical exposure that occurs suddenly or over a short period of time. Acute reactions can be caused by health hazards.

airborne

A substance that is moved through or by the air. Dust and mist are examples of airborne substances.

batch tickets

The documentation that accompanies a group or quantity of a product. Batch tickets are often used for inventory control.

blood toxin

A chemical that causes damage to or disease in the blood or harms blood production. Blood toxins can prevent the blood from carrying oxygen to cells.

carcinogen

A cancer-causing substance. Carcinogens are linked to cancer.

chemical

Any substance or mixture of substances. Chemicals may be in the form of solids, liquids, or gases, and may consist of one element, such as hydrogen, or a combination of elements, such as water.

chronic effect

A response to a chemical that occurs after a long period of exposure. Chronic effects can be caused by health hazards.

compliance officer

An OSHA representative who enforces OSHA standards through inspection and investigation. A compliance officer may look for evidence that the company is complying with all the requirements of the HCS.

compressed gas

Any gas held under pressure in a gas cylinder. Gas under pressure may pose a physical hazard from explosion.

cornea

The clear, outer portion of the eye. The cornea is the protective covering over the eye.

corrosive

A chemical that is capable of irreparably harming living tissues or damaging material on contact. Corrosive chemicals include chemicals in solid, liquid, and gas forms.

cutaneous hazard

A chemical that causes damage to or disease in the skin or dermal layer. Gloves and other protective clothing can protect employees from cutaneous hazard.

dosage

A measurable amount of exposure to a substance or a hazard. Dosage may include exposure to a chemical or even noise.

explosion hazards

Chemical substances that are likely to burst. Explosion hazards release pressure that can harm those around them.

eye hazard

A chemical that causes damage to or disease in the eyes. Eye hazards often damage the cornea.

fire hazards

Chemicals that are likely to burn or support fire. Fire hazards may be labeled as combustible or flammable.

GHS

Globally Harmonized System. An international standard for communicating chemical hazards through signs, labeling, and Safety Data Sheets. The GHS is intended to provide employees with similar hazard communication information worldwide.

Globally Harmonized System

GHS. An international standard for communicating chemical hazards through signs, labeling, and Safety Data Sheets. The Globally Harmonized System is intended to provide employees with similar hazard communication information worldwide.

hazard communication program

A system that includes a chemical inventory, available Safety Data Sheets, proper chemical labeling, and training. The goal of a hazard communication program to protect people from injuries and illnesses associated with using hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

Hazard Communication Standard

HCS. An established OSHA policy that sets guidelines for hazard communication. The Hazard Communication Standard emphasizes labeling, Safety Data Sheets, and training, and is aligned with the Globally Harmonized System.

Hazardous Materials Identification System

HMIS. A hazard rating by numbers that uses labels, bars that are color-coded, and training materials to identify hazardous materials. HMIS labels are permitted by the HCS as long as they include pictograms and hazard warnings.

hazardous waste

Disposable matter that poses a risk to human health or the environment. Hazardous waste requires special types of storage and disposal to make it harmless or less dangerous.

HCS

Hazard Communication Standard. An established OSHA policy that sets guidelines for hazard communication. The HCS emphasizes labeling, Safety Data Sheets, and training, and is aligned with the Globally Harmonized System.

health hazards

Any chemical that can cause an acute reaction, chronic effect, or both. These chemicals may compromise a person's health and safety.

hepatotoxin

A chemical that causes damage to or disease in the liver. The effects of a hepatotoxin depend on various factors such as the amount and method of exposure.

highly toxic agent

A chemical that has been shown to cause death in lab rats that receive relatively low dosages. Highly toxic agents can be deadly when exposure occurs.

immediate use

Hazardous chemicals that are under the control of and used only by the person who transfers them from a labeled container. Immediate use can only occur within the work shift in which the chemicals are transferred.

industrial hygienist

A person trained to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and develop controls for occupational health and environmental hazards. Industrial hygienists may perform the data analysis during hazard determination.

inventory

A quantity of materials or goods held in stock. Tracking inventory is a required step of a hazard communication program.

irritant

A chemical that causes inflammation and swelling in human tissue. An irritant usually causes short-term effects.

labels

A printed form of identification that is attached to a container. OSHA requires chemicals to have labels with specific information.

Material Safety Data Sheet

MSDS. This term was used in place of Safety Data Sheet (SDS). Material Safety Data Sheet must be updated to SDS.

mixture

A non-reactive combination or a solution composed of two or more substances. Saltwater is an example of a simple mixture.

nephrotoxin

A chemical that causes damage to or disease in the kidneys. The effects of a nephrotoxin are more severe in people already suffering from kidney problems.

nervous system

The system that includes the nerves, spinal cord, and brain. The nervous system controls all bodily functions.

neurotoxin

A chemical that causes damage to or disease in the nervous system. A neurotoxin can cause target organ effects.

NFPA 704

National Fire Protection Association 704.This is a standard that is maintained by the NFPA that details a system of identification of the hazards of materials for emergency response. NFPA 704 labels for chemical containers meet the HCS 2012requirements if pictograms and hazard warnings meet the new standard.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA. A government agency under the U.S. Department of Labor that helps employers reduce injuries, illnesses, and deaths in the workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration ensures safe and healthful working conditions through research, information, standards, enforcement, education, and training.

organic peroxide

A type of reactive hazard that can catch fire independently. Organic peroxides are oxidizers and fuels simultaneously.

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. A government agency under the U.S. Department of Labor that helps employers reduce injuries, illnesses, and deaths in the workplace. OSHA ensures safe and healthful working conditions through research, information, standards, enforcement, education, and training.

oxidizer

Any substance that may trigger or promote flammability in another substance. Oxidizers may start fires.

personal protective equipment

PPE. Any of the various articles of clothing or safeguarding devices that are used to prevent injury in the workplace. Common examples of PPE include safety glasses, gloves, masks, gowns, and earplugs.

physical hazards

Any chemical that could cause bodily harm from injuries such as burns. These chemicals may be reactive, to themselves or other substances, in a variety of ways.

pictograms

An illustration of a hazard that is intended to be understood even if the viewer cannot read. There are eight pictograms required for use on labels by OSHA and the Globally Harmonized System (GHS).

portable container

A small receptacle that a chemical is transferred to from a larger receptacle so that it is easy to transport from place to place. Portable containers do not require labels.

pyrophoric

A chemical that ignites or explodes spontaneously. Pyrophorics often ignite when exposed to air or water.

reactive hazards

Chemicals that are likely to catch fire or explode on their own or when exposed to water. Reactive hazards may be described as corrosive to metal, water-reactive, self-heating, or organic peroxide.

reproductive toxin

A chemical that causes damage to or disease in male or female reproductive systems or organs. Reproductive toxins may harm testes, ovaries, and even unborn fetuses.

respiratory toxin

A chemical that causes damage to or disease in the lungs or another part of the breathing system. Respiratory toxins include certain levels of formaldehyde and ammonia.

Safety Data Sheets

SDSs. Mandatory information that must accompany almost every chemical in the workplace. A Safety Data Sheet includes details such as the hazards, precautions, and first-aid procedures associated with the chemical.

SDS

Safety Data Sheet. Mandatory information that must accompany almost every chemical in the workplace. An SDS includes details such as the hazards, precautions, and first-aid procedures associated with the chemical.

self-heating

Any non-pyrophoric substance that will heat when in contact with air. Self-heating substances will usually ignite only when in large quantities or only after a long period of exposure to the air.

sensitizer

A chemical that causes an allergic reaction. A sensitizer can cause a systemic effect on the human body.

stationary process containers

A chemical container that is not moved but used. A workplace should have an area that is designated for stationary process containers with a sign that indicates the purpose of that area.

substance

A chemical element or compound. Substances may exist in the form of solids, liquids, or gases, and may consist of one element, such as hydrogen, or a combination of elements, such as water.

systemic effect

The result of a hazard that affects the entire body. Systemic effects may cause symptoms in one or two areas, such as the skin or lungs, but affect the whole body.

target organ hazards

Any chemical that causes an effect in specific organs of the body. These chemicals may be hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, or neurotoxins, among others.

toxic agent

A chemical that has been shown to cause death in lab rats who receive relatively high dosages. Toxic agents are hazardous to humans.

toxicologist

A scientist trained to study the nature and effects of chemicals on living organisms. Toxicologists may perform the data analysis during hazard determination.

trade associations

A professional group that promotes particular industries. Trade associations often offer assistance and training to members and develop industry standards.

water-reactive

A chemical that explodes or catches fire when exposed to water. Water-reactive chemicals are classified as a reactive hazard.