260 likes | 271 Views
HAZARD COMMUNICATION. Bi-Weekly Safety Meeting October 31, 2013. OSHA Standard. The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is an OSHA regulation intended to prevent adverse health effects of hazardous materials in the workplace.
E N D
HAZARD COMMUNICATION Bi-Weekly Safety Meeting October 31, 2013
OSHA Standard • The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is an OSHA regulation intended to prevent adverse health effects of hazardous materials in the workplace. • It requires chemical manufacturers, suppliers, and importers to assess the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import, and to inform employers, customers, and workers of these hazards.
OSHA Standard HCS specifies that information on chemical hazards be provided through the following: • access to safety data sheets (SDS). • properly labeled chemical containers. • appropriate training on chemical hazards and safe work procedures.
GHS • In 2012, the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard was updated to match the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, commonly known as GHS. • GHS is intended to ensure consistency across the world in the classification of chemicals and the communication of chemical hazards.
The new standard aims to reduce confusion and promote safer handling and use of chemicals by mandating consistent, user-friendly formats on container labels and safety data sheets (SDS), formerly material safety data sheets or MSDS. • The changes will be phased in over several years so you will likely see labels and safety data sheets that meet the old and new requirements until 2015.
MSDS = SDS • Safety Data Sheets (SDS) - formerly MSDS - are the backbone of the Hazardous Communication System. • They provide comprehensive and specific information used not only by workplaces that manufacture, use, transport or store hazardous chemicals, but also by emergency responders, poison control centers, and transporters of dangerous goods.
SDS • SDSs must be readily accessible to employees for all hazardous chemicals in their workplace.
SDS cont’d The information contained in the SDS is largely the same as the MSDS, except now the SDSs are required to be presented in a consistent user-friendly, 16-section format: • Sections 1 through 8 • contain general information about the chemical, identification, hazards, composition, safe handling practices, and emergency control measures (e.g., fire fighting). • Sections 9 through 11, and 16 • contain other technical and scientific information, such as physical and chemical properties, stability and reactivity information, toxicological information, and exposure control information • The SDS must also contain Sections 12 through 15 • to be consistent with the UN GHS system, but OSHA will not enforce the content of these sections because they concern matters handled by other agencies.
Pictograms • GHS introduces nine hazard pictograms that correspond with the health and physical hazards, and are intended to help workers determine chemical hazards at a glance.
Hazard Classification For both the new and existing standards, chemicals are classified according to two types of hazards: • HEALTH • toxic effects on the body causing damage to skin, eyes, or lungs through corrosion • encouraging the development of cancer or other serious health conditions • PHYSICAL • fire, explosion, or other violent reaction
Health Hazards • Acute Toxicity • Skin Corrosion/Irritation • Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation • Respiratory or Skin Sensitization • Germ Cell Mutagenicity • Carcinogenicity • Reproductive Toxicity • Target Organ Systemic Toxicity – Single and Repeated Dose • Aspiration Toxicity
Health Hazards cont’d… • Routes of Entry • Lungs (inhalation) • Skin (absorption) • Mouth (ingestion) • Eyes
Physical Hazards • Explosives • Flammability – gases, aerosols, liquids, solids • Oxidizers – liquid, solid, gases • Self-Reactive • Pyrophoric – liquids, solids • Self-Heating • Organic Peroxides • Corrosive to Metals • Gases Under Pressure • Water-Activated Flammable Gases
Labels • Labels are attached to containers to provide workers with “at a glance” information about chemical hazards. • They are limited in the amount of information they present and are designed to provide a brief summary of the more detailed information available on the SDS or MSDS.
Signal Words • Words used to indicate the relative level of severity of hazard and alert the reader to a potential hazard on the label. • GHS uses “Danger” and “Warning” as signal words.
Information & Definitions on Determining Exposure Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) The PEL is the maximum concentration of an airborne contaminant to which an unprotected worker may be exposed during the course of workplace activities. PEL Ceiling Value The concentration of a substance that should not be exceeded at any time. Concentration – Parts Per Million (PPM) The concentration of a substance is a measure of the "strength" of that substance and can be measured different ways: % = Parts per hundred PPM = Parts per million PPB = Parts per billion
Information & Definitions on Determining Exposure cont’d… Time Weighted Average (TWA) • PELs are based on a time weighted average (TWA) exposure. • A TWA is the average exposure over a specified period of time, usually a nominal eight hours. • This means that, for limited periods, a worker may be exposed to concentrations higher than the PEL, so long as the average concentration over eight hours remains lower.
Below are some examples of hazardous substances found at client sites, including their uses and health effects. Know the proper PPE, First Aid, and the site procedure to follow when working near or encountering hazardous chemicals: BENZENE (C6H6) A colorless or light yellowish liquid with an aromatic odor. The highest concentrations of about 5% are found at the Reformers. USES:Found in crude oil and refinery streams, as a component of gasoline and feedstock for the manufacture of plastics, detergents, pesticides, and other chemicals. HEALTH EFFECTS: • Skin – irritation or dermatitis • Central Nervous System - headache, dizziness, drowsiness, unconsciousness, death • Chronic (long-term) exposure - Cancer causing agent of the blood-forming system with blood changes, leukemia and aplastic anemia
HYDROGEN SULFIDE (H2S) A colorless, flammable gas with an odor of rotten eggs – also called sewer or stink gas. USES:A component in crude oil; an undesirable byproduct whenever sulfur or sulfur compounds are present with organic compounds at high temperatures; present in crude distillation, catalytic cracking and reforming, hydrogenation, HEALTH EFFECTS: • Exposure to high concentrations can cause respiratory arrest in minutes. • At low levels: headache; dizziness; nausea; eye, throat, skin and respiratory irritation AMMONIA (NH3) A colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor and is easily liquefied under pressure and stored in tanks. USES:Neutralizing agent, corrosion control, air pollution control, de-waxing of lubrication oils, manufacture/recovery of cracking catalysts HEALTH EFFECTS: • Inhalation: Throat and respiratory irritant (cough, chest tightness). Delayed symptoms: shortness of breath, pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) • Ammonia in Solution: Irritation and burns to the eye (corneal ulcers and opacity)
ASBESTOS Fibrous minerals or silicates. Resistant to heat and chemicals. USES:Insulating material – exposure may occur in stripping of Valve/vessel/piping insulation; Insulating cement/mastik; Caulking; Floor and roof tiling; Gaskets, brake linings and clutch pads HEALTH EFFECTS: • Skin and respiratory irritant • Scarring of the lungs (fibrosis). May develop 13-40 years after exposure • Cancer: Lung cancer and mesothelioma HYDROFLUORIC ACID (HF) A colorless, fuming gas or liquid with an acid, irritating odor. USES:Catalyst in alkylation producing a high-octane gasoline component. HEALTH EFFECTS: • Inhalation: Severe respiratory irritant which can result in immediate or delayed pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) • Eye: Strong irritant • Acid Burns (eye and skin) – effects can be delayed. The acid penetrates the skin and can cause deep tissue damage days after contact • Heart: Irregular rhythm
CIP 100 A clear, light straw liquid. Slight chemical odor. USES:Detergent found in pharmaceutical, biotechnology and other industries. HEALTH EFFECTS: • Corrosive to eyes, skin, mouth, throat and stomach • Spray mists are extremely irritating to mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract.
Your Right To Know… • Our clients provide SDSs for the contractors and employees who work on their sites. • It is every employee’s responsibility to know the location of the SDSs for the sites they work at. • Site orientation, the project JSA, and personal SMART cards are tools to help us to remember to remain up to date on the location of this vital information.
Resources Policies are located on the Google Safety Resource Center site. • MSP-209, Hazard Communication • A , H2S • B, Asbestos • C, Benzene • D, Lead