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Section 1
HAZARD COMMUNICATON FOR NON-LABORATORIANS
Section
- I. Program Description 1-2
- II. Hazardous Chemicals Inventory 1-2
- III. Labeling Requirements 1-2
- IV. Material Safety Data Sheets 1-3
- V. Employee Training and Information 1-3
- A. Training
- B. New Employees
- C. Contract Workers
- VI. Non-Routine Tasks
The Hazard Communication Standard requires providing information about the hazardous chemicals that employees are exposed to, product labels and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets, appropriate training, and a written hazard communication program. The Office of Health and Safety has written the CDC Hazard Communication Program to comply with this requirement. Personnel identified as having specific responsibility for implementing the plan are supervisors and contractors. The Office of Health and Safety is responsible for providing consultation and specific training when needed. Remember that this standard applies to those employees who do not work in a laboratory.
Supervisors who have employees who work in areas where hazardous chemicals are stored, handled or used are responsible for (1) creating and maintaining an inventory of all hazardous chemicals; (2) ensuring proper labeling of all hazardous chemicals; (3) acquiring and maintaining material safety data sheets for all hazardous chemicals located in the work area; (4) informing employees of (i) any operations in their work area where hazards chemicals are present, and (ii) the location and availability of the written hazard communication program, the chemical inventory, and material safety data sheets; and (5) training employees about hazardous chemicals used in the work area.
CDC contracting officials are responsible for instructing all CDC contractors to contact the Office of Health and Safety for specific information about hazardous chemicals within CDC that may pose a risk to contract employees.
II. Hazardous Chemicals Inventory
The supervisor, or his/her designee, is required to maintain a list of all hazardous chemicals known to be present in each work area (e.g. shop area, section, etc.) and update the list as necessary. The inventory must identify each hazardous chemical by the primary name on the label and the manufacturer or distributor of the chemical. The inventory must be kept in the work area in a suitable format such as in Section 9 of this manual, "HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS IN YOUR WORK AREA" (CHEMICAL INVENTORY), on a ROLODEX, or in a computer. This inventory shall list all hazardous chemicals found in the work area for which the supervisor is responsible including, but not limited to, laboratory chemicals, janitorial supplies, compressed gases, cleaning products, materials found in the maintenance departments (such as lubricating oils, solvents, etc.), specialty chemicals used by animal caretakers, illustrators, and printers.
The supervisor must ensure that all hazardous chemicals in his/her area of responsibility are properly labeled. Labels should list at least the chemical identity, appropriate hazard warnings and the name and address of the manufacturer, importer or other responsible party. Portable containers of working solutions must be labeled appropriately unless they are intended for immediate use by the employee who prepares it. The contents of all vessels (containing chemicals or products such as cleaning solutions) must be identified by name on the container.
Products that are synthesized at CDC and distributed outside of the Centers must be labeled in accordance with the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard [29 CFR Part 1910.1200(f)(1-5)] if they contain hazardous chemicals in concentrations greater than one percent (or 0.1% for carcinogens). It is the responsibility of the laboratory synthesizing the product to develop this label.
Chemicals stored in bulk quantities, pipelines, and storage tanks are required to be adequately labeled. Storage tanks or drums can be labeled collectively rather than labeling individual containers if they are not removed from the labeled area and if the hazards are the same. It is the responsibility of the program ordering and using these bulk chemicals to ensure adequate labeling.
IV. Material Safety Data Sheets
The supervisor is responsible for acquiring and updating material safety data sheets for all hazardous chemicals found in their work area. The material safety data sheets should be reviewed before using the chemical and kept in the work area so that they are readily accessible to all.
To obtain specific material safety data sheets, request copies from the manufacturer or distributor, or ask the CDC Information Center at Clifton Road for assistance. Requests for material safety data sheets are made by submitting Form CDC 0.1038a, Material Safety Data Sheet Request (see Appendix A), or calling the Information Center with a request.
If you have more than one material safety data sheet for a hazardous chemical from the same manufacturer, check the date and use the most current one discarding all others. To obtain further information or assistance in interpreting material safety data sheets, contact the Office of Health and Safety or local safety authority.
A material safety data sheet must be developed and sent with those products that are synthesized at CDC and distributed outside of the Centers in accordance with the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard [29 CFR Part 1910.1200(f)(1-5)] if they contain hazardous chemicals in concentrations greater than one percent (or 0.1% for carcinogens). It is the responsibility of the laboratory synthesizing the product to develop and distribute the material safety data sheet.
V. Employee Training and Information
It is the responsibility of the supervisor to recognize when training is needed for his/her employees and to arrange for such training. The supervisor is not responsible to provide any training in the sense that he must develop and present the training program, but rather, the supervisor must recognize the need for training and arrange for his employees to receive it.
This training is available in several formats:
- A presentation arranged or presented by the local Safety Committee,
- A video presentation from the Office of Health and Safety library (See Section 6 TRAINING AIDS AND INFORMATION RESOURCES),
- A presentation arranged or presented by the Office of Health and Safety staff, or
- A presentation arranged or presented by the supervisor.
Employees must be trained on the proper safeguards, safe use, and physical and health hazards of hazardous chemicals used on the job before beginning work with those chemicals or whenever a new hazardous chemical or procedure is introduced into their work area. Also, it is recommended that employees receive annual training updates.
Training should include at least the following topics:
- Physical and health hazards of chemicals in the work area;
- Methods and observation techniques used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical;
- How to lessen or prevent exposure to these hazardous chemicals through usage of controls, work practices and personal protective equipment;
- How to use material safety data sheet information;
- How to read and understand labels; and
- Contingency plans for medical and chemical accident response.
All training shall be documented by recording the training session subject(s), date, attendees, and providing a copy of the outline for the training session. The supervisor shall maintain these records and provide copies of all records to the Training Coordinator, Office of Health and Safety.
Information about the CDC/ATSDR Hazard Communication Program will be disseminated to all new CDC/ATSDR employees in the new employee packet distributed by the Personnel Management Office. All new CDC/ATSDR employees must be trained by their supervisor about hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard is introduced into the work area.
CDC contracting officials in the Procurement and Grants Office are responsible for instructing all CDC on-site contractors to contact the Office of Health and Safety for specific information about CDC's written Hazard Communication Program and hazardous chemicals within CDC which may pose risks to contract employees. Contracting Officers will require all contractors to provide the Office of Health and Safety with information concerning hazardous chemicals brought into any CDC facility to perform contracted work before that work begins.
Employees performing non-routine tasks can be exposed to chemicals from unusual and unsuspected sources. At CDC, these non-routine tasks may include, for example, periodic tank or boiler cleaning or the replacement of seals and gaskets. Written procedures shall be developed for every non-routine task by the supervisor of the employees who will perform the task. The information will include chemical hazards associated with the performance of the tasks and appropriate protective measures required to perform the task safely. The procedures shall be included in the local copy of the Hazard Communication Program. The Office of Health and Safety will provide advice and guidance upon request.
Chemical Safety Manual Contents
Health and Safety Manual Contents
Office of Health and Safety, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
1600 Clifton Road N.E., Mail Stop F05 Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA
Last Modified: 1/2/97
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