OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard
("Workers'
Right to Know")
The objective of this standard is to ensure
that workers would be protected from physical and health hazards of chemicals
in their workplace. OSHA' Hazard Communication Standard requires training
workers to understand the hazards associated with materials they can encounter
on their jobs, and how to protect themselves from
these hazards.
OSHA requirements include:
areas
where hazardous chemicals are used,
hazardous
chemicals on the job,
how
to recognize these chemicals on the job,
how
these chemicals might affect worker's safety and health,
how
to protect workers from these chemicals,
the
location and the availability of the:
o
written hazard communication program,
o
list of the hazardous chemicals used,
o
MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) for all
hazardous chemicals on the job site.
Written
Hazard Communication Program
The hazard communication standard relies on:
Chemical importers
Chemical manufacturers
Distributors
who must convey
hazard information to employers by means of Labels and Material
Safety data Sheets (MSDS) to inform and train their employers and design
employee safety programs.
Hazard communication program will require the
employer to provide the information to employees in four ways:
on
container labels,
on
posters and warning signs,
by
providing training to employees,
through
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) available to employees and their
representatives.
Hazard Communication Standard requires
the employer to have a hazard communication program in writing and available
for review.
Other Requirements of Hazard Communication
Standard:
Employer is
responsible to make copies of the MSDS available to employees at all times.
MSDS must be provided
by the manufacturer.
MSDS must be updated
by the manufacturer within 3 months after they obtain new hazard information on
chemicals.
All containers of
hazardous chemicals must be labeled by the manufacturer, importer or
distributor.
For further
information on Hazard
Communication Standard click here.
Last Update:
By: Serdar Z. Elgun