Hazcom

HAZCOM
What you need to know
There is no such thing as a stupid question.
"There are naive questions, tedious questions, ill-phrased questions…But every question is a cry to understand the
world. There is no such thing as a dumb question."

What is Hazard Communication?
• Hazardous Communication standard is often called the “Right-to-Know”
law or HazCom.
• A right to know:
 What chemicals you are exposed to
 Hazards of working with those chemicals
 What steps you can take to protect yourself and those you work with
• “Use”=Package, handle, react, or transfer it

Employers with hazardous chemicals must:
• Compile a list—Chemical Inventory
• Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
• Hazardous chemicals must be Labeled
• Training program
• Written Hazard Communication Program

Why is a Standard Needed?
• Areas covered by HazCom:
 Hazard classification (what type of hazard is it?)
 Written Hazard Communication Program
 Labels and Labeling
 Safety data sheets (SDSs)
 Employee information and training
• Right to Know and also “Right-to-Understand”

Why is a Standard Needed?
• OSHA believes than when employees understand the hazards of the
chemicals they work with, they will be more likely to take the steps necessary
to protect themselves and their co-workers from those hazards.
 OSHA has said that the revised HAZCOM standard now gives employees not
only the “right-to-know”, but also the “right-to-understand”
DO NOT use a chemical you don’t know the hazards of.

The “Harmonizing” of HCS
• You will see changes in:
 How chemicals are “classified”
 The look and content of container labels
 Format and content of Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
 HazCom information and training
• We must also have a written Hazard
Communication Program.

What is the GHS?
• Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals
(GHS)
• OSHA believes that revising the HCS to include the GHS will result in
the safe handling of workplace chemicals and prevent over 500
workplace injuries and illnesses and 43 deaths annually.
• Health, Physical and Environmental Hazards, and what information should
be included

Benefits of the GHS
• Improve hazard information in the workplace
• Enhance worker understanding of hazards
• Result in safer handling and use of chemicals
• Quicker and more efficient access to information on the safety data sheets

What is Hazard Communication Quiz
1. The Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200 is also known as the
“_______to_________” law.
2. The HazCom Standard gives you the right to all of the following, EXCEPT:
a. The right to know what chemicals you are exposed to.
b. The right to revise the written plan.
c. The right to know the hazards of working with those chemicals.
d. The right to know what steps you can take to protect yourself and those you work with.
3. To “use” a chemical means to package, handle, react, or transfer it
a. TRUE
b. FALSE

What is Hazard Communication Quiz-Part 2
4. OSHA believes that including GHS in HazCom will:
a. Prevent 500 workplace injuries and illnesses annually.
b. Prevent 43 workplace deaths annually.
c. Result in the safer handling of chemicals.
d. All of the above.

Who is covered by the Standard?
• Employers whose employees may be exposed to hazardous chemicals
• General industry and construction
• “Foreseeable emergency”=any potential occurrence such as, but not
limited to, equipment failure, rupture of containers, or failure of
control equipment which could result in an uncontrolled release of a
hazardous chemical into the workplace.
• In other words, you can foresee that an accident might happen, and
you prepare for it.

Who is Covered by the Standard?
• Under OSHA’s Hazardous Communication Standard
 Chemical manufacturers and importers—classify the hazards of the chemicals they
produce or import, and convey the information to their downstream customers.
 Distributors—transmit chemical safety information to employers.
 Employers—provide information to their employees about the hazardous chemicals to
which they are exposed.

Limited provision of the HCS and
“Right-to-Know”
• Chemicals only handled in sealed containers—no HazCom programs
required, but SDSs must be kept on hand and made available to employees,
and employees must be trained on the hazards.
• OSHA incorporated portions of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS)
into the revised HCS so that container labeling, SDS format and content,
and chemical hazard determination are standardized and look the same
from workplace to workplace.

1. The HazCom Standard covers:
a. Labels and labeling
b. Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
c. Employee information and training
d. All of the above
2. The basic goal of the HCS is to be sure employers and employees know about work hazards
and how to protect themselves.
a. TRUE
b. FALSE
3. Employers must provide information to employees about the hazardous chemicals to which
they are ______________________________.
4. Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to do all of the following EXCEPT:
a. Classify the hazards of the chemicals which they produce or import.
b. Prepare container labels.
c. Prepare safety data sheets.
d. Create the workplace chemical inventory.

5. The HCS applies to workplaces where employees can be
exposed to hazardous chemicals under normal conditions of use
or in a __________________________
_________________________________?

What Makes a Chemical Hazardous?
• “Hazardous Chemical”=any chemical which is classified as a physical or
health hazard, or which is a simple asphyxiant, combustible dust, pyrophoric
gas, or hazard not otherwise classified (HNOC).
• Any chemical that can hurt you.

What is Classification?
• Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to “classify” their
chemicals as being a certain type of hazard or non-hazardous.
• Under GHS, classification means identifying the hazard(s) of a chemical and
putting it in a hazard class defined by the Globally Harmonized System.
• Each hazard class can have up to 5 sub-categories. For instance,
Carcinogenicity (cancer-causing) has 2 categories
• Category 1 = Known Cancer-causing
• Category 2 = Suspected to be Cancer-causing

What is Classification?
• Once you have determined a chemical’s hazard class, we must put that
information on the safety data sheet (SDS) AND the container label. Those
hazard classes are already determined by the GHS system.
• We can use the classification our manufacturers use. We don’t have to classify
it ourselves, unless we choose not to classify the way our suppliers did, or we
mix chemicals in the workplace. If we mix our own chemicals, we can
classify it ourselves.

Health Hazards
• The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) calls the following health
hazards, and these are also how the GHS classifies health hazards:
 Acute toxicity (meaning it can harm you immediately)
 Skin corrosion or irritation (chemical burns)
 Serious eye damage
 Respiratory or skin sensitization (the more you are exposed to it, the more sensitive you
become to it)

Health Hazards
• Germ cell mutagenicity (it mutates sperm or egg cells)
• Carcinogenicity (cancer-causing)
• Reproductive toxicity (can harm reproductive organs and offspring)
• Specific target organ toxicity (harms a single organ, like liver, skin, or
kidneys)
 Some chemicals can make you sick right away (acute) or later on
(chronic)

Health Hazards
• Aspiration hazard (the chemical can make you struggle to breath)
• A rash that develops after coming into contact with a chemical one time
would be an acute health hazard.
• Cancer that is developed much later after being exposed to a chemical several
times would be a chronic health hazard.

Physical hazards
• Physical hazards mean a chemical’s physical properties, meaning it can easily
burn, explode, or react violently when it touches another material.
• GHS uses the following physical hazards classes:
• Explosive
• Flammable
• Oxidizer (oxidizers feed a fire and make it harder to put out)
• Self-reactive (can react violently with itself)
• Pyrophoric (will catch fire spontaneously when air touches it)
• Self-heating (will heat up all by itself)

Physical hazards
• Organic peroxide (can be severe fire/explosion hazards)
• Corrosive to metal
• Gas under pressure
• Emits flammable gas when in
contact with water

Environmental Hazards
• Cause harm in the environment
• GHS uses these classifications for Environmental Hazards
 Acute (short-term) aquatic hazards
 Long-term aquatic hazards
 Hazardous to the ozone layer

Environmental hazards
• While the Globally Harmonized System includes environmental
classifications, OSHA did not adopt them into the Hazard Communication
Standard (HCS), because OSHA does not have authority over environmental
issues. That’s the EPA’s and other departments’ area.
• Chemicals entering our workplace that were shipped from other countries
that have adopted the GHS may have labels and SDSs with environmental
hazards noted. That is why it is important for you to be familiar with them.

Other hazardous chemicals
• OSHA has other hazardous chemicals that the Globally Harmonized System
doesn’t have
 Pyrophoric gasses (will catch on fire when exposed to air). Must have the word
“DANGER” and the hazard statement “catches fire spontaneously if exposed to air”.
 Asphxiants (will suffocate you). Must have the signal word “WARNING” and the
statement “may displace oxygen and cause rapid suffocation”.
 Combustible dust (dust that can catch on fire). Must have the word “WARNING”
and the statement “may form combustible dust concentrations in the air”.
 All of our dyes in their dry, solid state could form combustible dust concentrations in the air
if they build up enough and there is a source of heat.

Hazard Not Otherwise Classified
• There are chemicals that show some evidence of physical harm or bad health
effects, but they don’t have enough other characteristics to be classified with OSHA
classifications. These chemicals are “Hazards Not Otherwise Classified” (HNOC)
• An HNOC doesn’t mean that the chemical is completely safe—only that it doesn’t
fit into a fixed GHS hazard class, or falls into a hazard category that OSHA has not
adopted, such as an ACUTE TOXICITY chemical label from another country.
• The SDS must identify the chemical as HNOC.

What makes a chemical hazardous?
1. OSHA defines a “hazardous chemical” as any chemical which is
a. Classified as a physical or health hazard
b. A simple asphyxiant, combustible dust, or pyrophoric gas
c. A chemical which is a hazard not otherwise classified (HNOC)
d. All of the above
2. All of the following are classified as health hazards EXCEPT:
a. Eye irritants
b. Organic peroxides
c. Acute toxins
d. Aspiration hazards
3. All of the following are classified as physical hazards EXCEPT:
a. Explosives
b. Oxidizers
c. Pyrophorics
d. Carcinogens (cancer-causing)

What makes a chemical hazardous?
4. OSHA has adopted environmental hazards into the Hazard Communication
Standard, even though the agency has no authority over environmental issues.
a. TRUE
b. FALSE
5. A “Hazard Not Otherwise Classified” (HNOC) is a chemical for which there is
evidence of adverse physical or health effects, but which do not meet the
specified criteria for any of the physical or health hazard classifications.
a. TRUE
b. FALSE

HAZCOM
What you need to know.
Part 2

What must my employer do?
• The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires hazard information to
be given to all downstream users of those chemicals.
• Who has the responsibility to supply you with this information?
1) Your employer
2) The chemical manufacturer
• Manufacturers and Suppliers
• Must label containers and provide Safety Data Sheets ( SDSs)
• Employers do not have to reclassify any of the hazardous materials they receive. They
can use the same hazard classification as the manufacturer.

• Employers
Identify all hazardous materials in the workplace.
Develop a hazard communication program, including a hazardous chemical inventory.
Label all hazardous materials
Design & implement an employee protection program.
Train employees on the standard
Assure employee access to SDSs and company’s written HAZCOM program.
Employers that “use” hazardous chemicals must have a program that gives information to
exposed employees (to “use”=handle, package, react, or transfer it).
• State Plans
Must be at least as stringent as federal OSHA standard.
https://www.osha.gov/topcases/bystate.html

1. The HCS requires information to be prepared and transmitted regarding all
hazardous chemicals.
a. TRUE
b. FALSE
2. The HCS requires your employer to do all of the following EXCEPT
a. Identify all hazardous materials in the workplace
b. Get an SDS for each hazardous chemical in the workplace
c. Train employees about the standard
d. Provide employees with a yearly toxicological screen.
3. According to OSHA, to “use” means to:
a. Package it.
b. Handle it
c. Transfer it
d. All of the above

The Written Program
• All workplaces where employees are exposed to hazardous chemicals must have a
written HazCom plan. The written program must explain:
How SDSs are kept
Names of those in charge of labeling, SDS collection, and inventory
Hazardous chemical training
 Methods used for chemical-specific training (some companies train on one chemical at a time, but
most train employees on safe use of GROUPS of chemicals).
 Type of safety precautions
 Emergency and first aid training provided
 Types of training provided for certain non-routine tasks (such as cleaning reactor vessels)
The hazards associated with unlabeled pipes
How this information & training will be given to contract workers
Written plan must also contain a copy of the chemical inventory.

The Written Program
Hazardous Chemical Inventory—must include:
• All hazardous chemicals
• Hazardous chemicals taken off-site for use in other locations
• Hazardous chemicals stored away from the main facility
All 3 must match:
1. Chemical inventory
2. Container label
3. Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
You have a right to a copy of the written program.

The Written Program Self-Check
1. The HazCom Written Plan describes how the company will meet its obligations under the HazCom Standard.
a. TRUE
b. FALSE
2. The written program must do all of the following EXCEPT:
a. Explain how safety data sheets are received and kept.
b. Include information on HazCom training
c. Be available to employees electronically
d. Include a copy of the chemical inventory
3. The chemical inventory serves as the list of all chemicals for which there must be an SDS available.
a. TRUE
b. FALSE
4. Your employer must make copies of the written program available to you or your representative.
a. TRUE
b. FALSE

Hazard Warning labels
What must be on the label?—must include:
• Product identifier
• Pictogram
• Signal word
• Hazard statement(s)
• Precautionary statement(s)
• Name, address, telephone number of the chemical manufacturer or importer
For containers that do not leave the workplace, we may use in-house labelling
that is not GHS (Globally Harmonized System) style.

Is there a Specified Label Format?
• No
What is the Product Identifier?
The name or number used on the label and SDS. It can be a chemical name, a
product name, or some other unique identifier that allows you to locate the
SDS quickly.
What are pictograms?
For Hazard Communication purposes, a pictogram is a symbol on a white
background with a red border that gives specific information about the hazards
of a chemical, such as flammability, corrosivity, and combustibility.

Flame over circle=oxidizers Flame is used to mark flammables, self-
reactives, pyrophorics, pyrophorics, self-
heating substances, substances that emit
flammable gases, and organic peroxides
Exploding bomb=explosives, self-
reactives, and organic peroxides
Skull and crossbones=acutely toxic
(SEVERE) or FATAL substances

Corrosives=substances that can cause skin burns or
damage the eye
Gas cylinder=gases under pressure
Health hazard=carcinogens, respiratory sensitizers,
reproductive toxins, target organ toxins, mutagens,
and aspiration toxins
Exclamation mark=irritants, skin sensitizers, acute
toxins (harmful), chemicals with narcotic effects, and
respiratory tract irritants. MOST COMMON
PICTOGRAM

Environmental (dead fish and tree)=substances that are environmental
toxins

Hazard Warning labels-elements
What is a Signal Word?
The signal word is used to alert the user to a potential hazard and is determined by the
hazard class and category of the chemical. It must be either:
“Danger”—for more severe hazards
“Warning”—for less severe hazards
It must be one or the other. It can’t be both.
Hazard Statements—describe the nature of the hazard. (e.g. “causes serious eye damage”)
Precautionary Statements—phrases that talk about prevention, responses in case of
accidental spills or exposure, storage, and disposal. Mandatory under OSHA.
Supplier Identification—name, address, and phone number of where the chemical comes
from.

Workplace Labels
OSHA allows employers to use any type of warning labeling in the workplace, so long as
that label has:
• The name of the material
• Information about the health and physical hazards
Read the label—every time!
• Questions about the label? Do not use until you have answers.
What if the Container doesn’t have a label?
All containers must be labeled, but if they’re not, don’t use the chemical until you’re sure
of what the hazards are and tell your supervisor about the unlabeled container.

Hazard Warning Labels
Exemptions to Labeling
In-plant labeling exemptions include:
• Signs or placards for stationary containers in work areas that have similar contents and
hazards.
• Operating procedures, process sheets, batch tickets, blend tickets, and similar written
materials on stationary process equipment.
• Portable containers
– Container used to transfer a hazardous chemical from a labeled container and is intended only
for the immediate use of the employee who performs the transfer.
– Doesn’t have to be labeled, UNLESS the container and its contents are passed along to
another employee
• Pipes or piping systems.

Hazard Warning Labels Self-Check
1. Hazard warning labels must be placed on each container of hazardous chemicals which is in the workplace.
a. TRUE
b. FALSE
2. OSHA’s required container label elements include all of the following EXCEPT:
a. EPA hazard warnings
b. Product identifier
c. Signal words
d. Pictograms
3. Container labels must be printed in English, Spanish, and French.
a. TRUE
b. FALSE
4. On in-plant labeling, pictograms must have a red border
a. TRUE
b. FALSE
5. The __________________________ is not intended to be the sole or most complete source of hazard
information.

Hazard Warning Labels Self-Check
6. OSHA requires that the pictogram, product identifier, and signal word be located together on the label.
a. TRUE
b. FALSE
7. The ___________ and ________________ pictogram means acutely toxic substances
8. Don’t open the container or use a chemical if you are not sure what is on the container or what the hazards
of the material are.
a. TRUE
b. FALSE
9. Of the two signal words “DANGER” and “WARNING”, ___________ is used for more severe hazards.

What is this pictogram?
10.
A. Environmental toxin
B. Irritants, skin sensitizers, acute (harmful) toxins,
chemicals with narcotic effects, and respiratory tract
irritants.
C. Health hazard is to denote carcinogens, respiratory
sensitizers, reproductive toxins, target organ toxins,
mutagens, and aspiration toxins.
D. Gases under pressure.
E. Corrosives, causes skin and eye burns.
F. Acute toxic (severe) or fatal (deadly) substances.
G. Explosives, self-reactives, and organic peroxides.
H. Flammables
I. Oxidizers

11.
irritants.
H. Flammables
I. Oxidizers

12.
irritants.
H. Flammables
I. Oxidizers

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