OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
S80.60
Revised 12-05
Environmental Health and Safety
335-3041
Maintenance Services for Campus Life
335-1541
PDF link
OVERVIEW
Each department and/or unit which uses chemicals is to develop, implement, and maintain a written Chemical Hazard Communication Program. EXCEPTION: See below for laboratories. A written program describes how chemical hazards and protective measures are identified and communicated to employees, students, other WSU departments, and contractors. See below for definitions.
The communication methods used are:
- Chemical container labeling and other forms of warning
- Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)
- Training and information
A Chemical Hazard Communication Program template is available to assist departments/units in developing their specific written program. See below.
See also S80.70 for information concerning chemical carcinogens.
Laboratories
Laboratories are required to have a written Chemical Hygiene Plan, if applicable. See S80.69. They are not required to have a written Chemical Hazard Communication Program.
The general University Chemical Hygiene Plan is published as the Laboratory Safety Manual (LSM). To view the LSM, go to the Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Laboratory Safety Manual website at:
Select Lab Safety, then
Select Lab Safety Manual.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Department Chair/Director
The department chair or director is to ensure that this policy is implemented.
Supervisor
Supervisor responsibilities include:
- Implementing a written Chemical Hazard Communication Program specific to their department/unit.
To obtain a program template, see the EH&S Chemical Safety/Hazard Communication website at:
Select Office Safety, then
Select Select Chemical Safety / Hazard Communication.or contact the Chemical Hazard Communication Advisor (the Industrial Hygienist at Maintenance Services for Campus Life); telephone 335-1541; or EH&S; telephone 335-3041.
- Ensuring and documenting that workers and students within the unit receive the necessary training prior to working with any hazardous chemicals.
- Maintaining a list of hazardous chemicals used within the unit.
- Ensuring a MSDS is available for each hazardous chemical on the list.
- Reviewing MSDSs for information on chemical hazards, controlling hazards (i.e., personal protective equipment, ventilation), chemical storage, first aid and spills.
- Following the records retention schedule in Business Policies and Procedures Manual (BPPM) 90.01.45-47. Departments must maintain MSDSs for 30 years after the department ceases to use the chemical.
- Ensuring that chemical containers are labeled or contents identified as required in the department's/unit's written program.
Employee/Student
Employees and students using hazardous chemicals are responsible for the following:
- Reading and understanding the department's/unit's written Chemical Hazard Communication Program.
- Following safe work practices.
- Reporting unsafe conditions and accidents.
Chemical Hazard Communication Advisor
The Industrial Hygienist at Maintenance Services for Campus Life (a division of Housing and Dining Services) is the University's Chemical Hazard Communication Advisor.
The Chemical Hazard Communication Advisor is responsible for:
- Providing chemical hazard communication assistance, workplace review, and training to University departments and units as needed and resources allow.
- Assisting departments in locating and obtaining MSDSs through the MSDS request procedures. See below.
- Serving as custodian for MSDS files retained prior to September 2005.
- Periodically providing Chemical Hazard Communication resources to EH&S for inclusion on EH&S websites.
Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S)
EH&S is responsible for:
- Developing and maintaining the Chemical Hazard Communication policy.
- Providing assistance to the Chemical Hazard Communication Advisor (the Industrial Hygienist at Maintenance Services for Campus Life).
- Providing assistance to departments and units in the absence of the Chemical Hazard Communication Advisor.
- Providing general environmental health and safety services to Housing and Dining Services as resources allow.
- Maintaining and updating MSDS information and additional resources links on EH&S websites.
WRITTEN PROGRAM
Each nonlaboratory department and/or unit where any hazardous chemical is used must have a written Chemical Hazard Communication Program.
Identifying Hazardous Chemicals
There are several ways to determine if a chemical is hazardous:
- Look for signal words on the container label, such as CAUTION, WARNING or DANGER.
- Look for words on the container label indicating that the chemical is flammable, irritant, corrosive, carcinogen, etc.
- Review the product's MSDS for hazard information. See below.
- Contact the Chemical Hazard Communication Advisor (the Industrial Hygienist at Maintenance Services for Campus Life); telephone 335-1541.
Components
Minimum components of a written Chemical Hazard Communication Program include:
- List of hazardous chemicals known to be present in the workplace,
- Procedures for making sure all containers are properly labeled,
- Description of how to obtain and maintain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS),
- Description of how to train and inform employees about hazardous chemicals in the workplace, and
- Description of how to inform employees about hazards encountered during non-routine tasks.
EH&S has created a template designed for departments and/or units to develop and implement as their written Chemical Hazard Communication Program.
Obtain copies of the template from the EH&S Chemical Safety/Hazard Communications website or by contacting EH&S; telephone 335-3041; or Maintenance Services for Campus Life; telephone 335-1541. The website is at:
Select Office Safety, then
Select Select Chemical Safety / Hazard Communication.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
Hazardous chemical product manufacturers or distributors are to supply MSDSs. Departments and units are to maintain and make available MSDSs for each hazardous chemical product used. This instruction is to be described in the department/unit's written Chemical Hazard Communication Program.
A department or unit having difficulty obtaining a MSDS from a manufacturer or supplier may complete a Material Safety Data Sheet Request form. Complete and print the PDF master on S80.60.6 to obtain copies of the request form.
Submit completed request forms to the Chemical Hazard Communication Program Advisor (the Industrial Hygienist at Maintenance Services for Campus Life); mail code 1162.
The following definitions apply to the University's Chemical Hazard Communication Program policy:
Hazardous Chemical
A hazardous chemical is defined as any chemical whose presence or use is a physical or health hazard.
Health Hazard
As used in the Chemical Hazard Communication Program, health hazard means any chemical for which there is significant evidence. based on at least one study conducted in accordance with established scientific principles, that acute or chronic health effects may occur in exposed employees.
Health hazards include carcinogens, toxic or highly toxic agents, reproductive toxins, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, agents which act on the hematopoietic system, and agents which damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes.
Laboratory
The term laboratory applies to a facility where the laboratory use of hazardous chemicals occurs. Such facilities are workplaces where relatively small quantities of hazardous chemicals are used on a nonproduction basis. Laboratory activities involve teaching, research, and sampling and analysis activities.
Physical Hazard
As used in the Chemical Hazard Communication Program, a physical hazard means a chemical for which there is scientifically valid evidence that it is a combustible liquid, a compressed gas, explosive, flammable, organic peroxide, oxidizer, pyrophoric, unstable (reactive), or water-reactive.
See the PDF master form:
S80.60.6: Material Safety
Data Sheet Request
Complete and/or print as needed