Hazardous Material Identification Program

The National Paint and Coating Association (NPCA) Label Guide and the Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS) are then presented. HMIS is the most comprehensive in-plant hazard communication program developed as a single total integrated system. 

The system, as described in the first portion of this manuai, is the basic Hazardous Materials Identification System. As noted earlier, it is a flexible system which may stand on its own as a means of worker hazard identification and is also compatible with other existing plant education and training programs. Legislative or regulatory provisions that cail for the special identification of extremely hazardous materials (such as carcinogens) can easily be incorporated into the HMIS. too. 

Hazardous material (HAZMAT)-. Effective HMIS (hazardous material identification system) and MSDS (material safety data sheet) programs are both essential elements of a safety program The HMIS system identifies and labels substances that may pose some hazard to those who use them. The MSD sheets, provided by the suppliers of materials deemed to be hazardous, are kept on file to quickly identify all hazards and the appropriate responses in emergency situations. This mandated part of a safety program can be handed off to a subteam that ensures the MSDS database in updated and the HMIS labeling program is audited for compliance. 

A legislated hazard communication system including labels, Material Safety Data Sheets, and a worker training program. See also Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS ). 

The American Coatings Association [4] has developed the Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS ) to aid employers in the implementation of an effective Hazard Communication Program. The third version of this system, HMIS III, offers comprehensive resources covering hazard assessment, hazard communication, and employee training. HMIS III Hazard Assessment helps define the health, flammability and physical hazards of different chemicals, and shows how to communicate those hazards via a label that incorporates color-coded fields, along with a recommendation for PPE. 

The Center for Chemical Process Safety s projects fall into a number of general topic areas that comprise a comprehensive program. These topic areas include identification of hazards and analysis of risks, prevention and mitigation of the hazards identified, and better definition of areas affected by a release of hazardous materials. This book is the latest in the series dealing with hazard identification and risk analysis. 

Flammability properties of materials are clearly important for fire prevention but there are other properties that are also significant. There have been a number of severe fire incidents initiated by a material s reactivity properties that were previously unrecognized or unknown to the user. The development of a Materials Hazard Identification program requires knowledge of a material s toxicity and reactivity, as well as flammability. 

In 1991, the National Academy of Sciences studied the health effects attributable to toxic waste sites and concluded, [W]e find that the health of some members of the public is in danger, but We are currently unable to answer the question of the overall impact on public health of hazardous wastes. The Academy pointed out that Millions of tons of hazardous materials are slowly migrating into groundwater in areas where they could pose problems in the future, even though current risks could be negligible. The Academy concluded, ...the committee does find sufficient evidence that hazardous wastes have produced health effects in some populations. We are concerned that populations may be at risk that have not been adequately identified, because of the inadequate program of site identification and assessment. ... 

Cleaning materials and their methods of use can present significant and, frequently, undetected fire hazards. Any cleaning chemical or material brought into a facility should be reviewed for potential hazards using Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) information as a part of the material s hazard identification element of the overall fire prevention program. Cleaning activities should not be allowed to add unreasonable hazards to a facility. 

A program is necessary for identifying all materials in the workplace, and making employees aware of the hazards of these materials and the necessary precautions to be taken to prevent or control personnel exposure. Materials Hazard Identification and information gathering is an essential element of fire prevention. The hazardous properties of all chemical substances used in the workplace should be known in order to develop the appropriate design, routine handling practices, and fire prevention plan. 

Minimum Requirements contains a statement of policy and a list of specific requirements in three sections, Safety, Loss Prevention, and Security, plus a section on Other Related Safety, Loss Prevention and Security Requirements. The latter section addresses distribution emergency response, industrial hygiene and medical programs, material hazard identification, and product stewardship. 

More than one year after withdrawal of the Hazard Identification proposed standard, the new proposed standard (standard) entitled Hazard Communication, was published in the Federal Register, Volume 47, No. 5, Friday, March 19,1982. It proposes that chemical manufacturers assess the hazards of chemicals which they produce and that all employers in SIC Codes 20 through 39 (Division D, Standard Industrial Classification Manual) provide information to their employees about the hazardous chemicals which they use by meems of a hazard communication program, labels, placards, material safety data sheets, and information and training. 

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