CHEMICAL RIGHT TO KNOW - Welcome to the Tuolumne …

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HAZARD COMMUNICATION: CHEMICAL RIGHT TO KNOW Modern life would be impossible without chemicals. Plastics, drugs, and miracle fibers are just a few of the things that use chemicals in their manufacture. Prior to 1984 there was no guarantee that workers would be informed about the chemical hazards they may encounter in the workplace. Even when container labels and warning information were provided they did not always contain enough information on the hazards or potential hazards, what to do in case of an emergency, or whom to contact for help.

For this reason the federal government established a uniform hazard communication standard: to provide you and your co-workers with information needed to keep you safe. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) promulgated the Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, better known as the “Right to Know” law. It says you have a right to know what chemical hazards you face on the job and how to protect yourself against them.

The Hazard Communication Standard is intended to comprehensively address the issue of evaluating the potential hazards of chemicals, communicating information concerning hazards, and appropriate protective measures to employees. MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDS) An MSDS is required for all chemicals and is part of the employee’s “right to know” within the Hazard Communication Standard. The MSDS provides important information regarding the health effects of the chemical, routes of entry into the body, appropriate personal protective equipment to use, and first aid treatment if exposure occurs.

Unfortunately, there is no single mandatory form for an MSDS. Therefore, you will probably see many different types of MSDS styles or formats on the job. What is consistent for each MSDS, however, is the type of information included on each form. Once you understand what this information is and how to use it, you will be able to utilize the information regardless of the MSDS format.

Reading the MSDS The MSDS is required by law. More importantly, the information provided on the MSDS can keep you healthy and save your life. Unless you know all the facts about the chemicals with which you work you are putting the life, health, and safety of yourself and your co-workers in jeopardy. Check the MSDS before you start any job using a chemical. By doing so you will know exactly what the risks are and how to do the job more safely.

The MSDS contains a heading followed by nine to sixteen sections. It is critical for you to understand the information found within the MSDS and where you can locate the information you require from the MSDS.

The MSDS Heading It is important to verify that the MSDS you are referencing represents the chemical you are using. The heading of an MSDS will provide you with:

 the name, address, telephone number of the company that produced the chemical

 the date the MSDS was issued  the name of the chemical or material. There are currently nine (9) sections required on the MSDS. Some MSDSs, however, may have 16 sections. Section 1 (I) Material Identification Within section 1 of the MSDS you should find the chemical name and supplier. Synonyms may also be listed here. If the material contains more than one chemical, all chemicals must be listed. The chemical formula may be given.

Section 2 (II) Ingredients and Hazards This section lists the product’s individual hazardous chemicals and their relative percentage of concentration. The permissible exposure limit (PEL) and/or the threshold limit value (TLV) will be shown if that data has been established. Trade secrets can be kept confidential but the health hazard information must still be provided on the MSDS.

Section 3 (III) Physical Data All physical data that is applicable to the chemical will be found in section 3. Physical data may include: appearance, boiling point, evaporation rate, melting point, vapor pressure, vapor density, specific gravity, odor, solubility in water and/or other solvents.

Section 4 (IV) Fire and Explosion Data Fire and explosion data generally include flammability and flashpoint. The type of extinguishing agent best suited for such a fire involving the chemical is listed, in addition to information important to fire fighters.

Section 5 (V) Reactivity Data The information provided in this section should guide you as to the type of storage, container utilization, and incompatibilities for this chemical.