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Hazardous chemicals are found in many work environments, from manufacturing to farming, and employees often work with or near these substances.
The physical and health hazards associated with hazardous substances used in the workplace pose significant risks to the health and safety of employees and to nearby equipment and property. Therefore, if hazardous chemicals are present in the workplace, it’s essential—and mandated by federal regulation— for employers to establish a program that educates employees about these hazards. Employees must also actively use the information provided.
Know the chemicals
Before working with any hazardous chemical, employees need to take the time to learn about the chemical. The SDS provides the most complete information about chemicals. Every SDS has an identical 16-section format that provides a detailed written description of the chemical, including:
Identification of the hazards;
Precautions to take to avoid exposure;
First-aid information, including symptoms of exposure and treatment;
Suitable firefighting techniques and equipment, as well as additional chemical hazards that may exist because of the fire;
Emergency procedures, equipment, and appropriate measures to contain and clean up a spill;
Precautions for handling and storing the chemical, including chemical incompatibilities;
Exposure limits, recommended engineering controls, and recommended personal protective equipment (PPE); and
Guidance on proper disposal practices and safe handling of waste chemicals.
SDSs must be immediately available to employees in their workspace so they can access this information at any time.
In addition, all containers of hazardous chemicals must be labeled, and employees should familiarize themselves with the chemical label information. The contents of a chemical label on a container entering or leaving the facility are prescribed by the HazCom requirements under 29 CFR 1910.1200(f) .
Containers used in the facility must be labeled with a combination of a product identifier, along with words, pictures, and symbols clearly communicating general information about the chemical’s hazards. Written materials containing the information in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f) must be immediately available.
