Communication hazardous materials handling

Hazard communication has been one of the most frequently cited OSHA violations. Chapter 2 will help in hazard commnnication training and proper writing of material safety data sheets. The chapter will also go into detail about hazardous materials handling and the Chemical Transportation Emergency Center (CHEMTREC). 

The Emergency Planning and Community-Right-to-Know Act was signed into law. Companies involved in the production and handling of hazardous materials must submit material safety data sheets (MSDS) or lists of chemicals kept on site. Companies must report inventories of specific chemicals kept in the workplace and an annual release of hazardous materials into the environment. 

Since the chemical industry operates by handling potentially hazardous materials safely, safety has always been an important consideration for chemical engineers. Engineers have never been able to discharge their professional responsibility only by designing efficient equipment or developing efficient processes. Today society has expanded that traditional responsibility to include environmental and community protection. The chemical industry s operations and products should not have an unacceptable impact upon its neighbors, its customers, or the environment. 

Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200). The hazard communication standard requires that all personnel receive training concerning the types of materials handled in the workplace and the potential hazards associated with handling and use of these materials. In addition, the standard requires that a MSDS for each hazardous material be made available for individual employee reference. The MSDS outlines specific material chemical and physical properties, exposure information, emergency response information, regulatory information, and any other information of significance concerning the material. 

A process safety program must be relevant to the company and its operations. The program must also be relevant to employees personal safety and success. The link between safety actions and safety outcomes is most obvious in operations that directly handle highly hazardous materials. Unfortunately, that nexus may not be as obvious in the systems that support and are otherwise indirectly associated with hazardous materials. Appropriately developed, implemented, and communicated process safety metrics can help educate personnel on the importance of different aspects of the process safety system. 

The pyrolysis community may feel that the classification of fast pyrolysis liquid as "dangerous" or "hazardous" material does not reflect the true nature of the liquid. However, due to the highly variable chemical and physical properties, a wide spectrum of liquids must be considered. This paper addresses legislative requirements, transport, storage and handling of the liquid and the mitigation of spills. 

National Safety Council, 1992, ISBN 0-87912-167-X, 386 pages, 62.95. Topics Indude environmental management, hazard communication, safety management and training, inspections, material handling and storage, accident investigation, and case studies. 

Teamwork Safe Handling of a Hazardous Materials Incident How emergency responders in one community worked together during hazardous materials incident. 

The section of the Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act (SARA) that requires industry to develop comprehensive emergency response plans and mandates public disclosure of hazards of materials handled or stored in certain quantities. It requires facilities that store hazardous materials to provide officials and citizens with data on the types (flammables, corrosives, etc.), amounts on hand (daily, yearly), and their specific locations. Facilities are to prepare and submit inventory lists. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), and tier 1 and 2 inventory forms. It is also known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA). 

The size of your worksite and workforce, processes used, materials handled, and the availability of onsite or outside resources will determine your training requirements. Discuss any special hazards your site(s) may have, such as flammable materials, toxic chemicals, radioactive sources, or water-reactive substances. To minimize confusion, clearly communicate who will be in charge dining an emergency and provide any evacuation route maps you have prepared. 

It is the vision and hope of the authors that if the chemistry academic community has a textbook about laboratory and chemical safety that they will use parts or all of it in the laboratory or classroom curriculum. This book was written from the heart as a result of a passion for laboratory and chemical safety. The authors recognize, as do many others, that there is a need to improve the level of knowledge and education about laboratory and chemical safety among new and upcoming chemists and other laboratory scientists who work in laboratories and handle chemicals and other hazardous materials in their operations. 

In the United States, public fire departments, whether paid or voluntary, provide most fire protection services. Fire departments play important roles in the prevention of fires and by enforcing fire codes. They address the training and education of fire fighters and the community. They handle communication for fire alarms and other emergencies. They respond to fires and handle reporting and administration activities. Today fire departments are hkely to respond more often to non-fire than fire emergencies. Hazardous materials and emergency medical responses are important parts of fire department operations. 

Materials specifications, inventories, separation, confinement, and handling of toxic or hazardous materials that can affect safety and environmental protection should be determined, documented, and communicated to appropriate personnel. 

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