Hazardous Material Identification System

On April 30, 1981, NPCA sent a comprehensive implementation starter kit to each of its members. This manual is the most complete hazard communication system available today. It is identified as NPCA in-plant Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS). 

While this system is directed to the paint industry, it is applicable to all industries that use hazardous materials. It is an excellent example of the benefits to be attained by membership in this small but effective trade association. HMIS consists of a label system with symbols, for containers placards for tanks tags for piping a MSDS program and a section devoted to explicit employee training. The employee training program includes an audio-visual 

The label system employed by the HMI System is a derivative of the NFPA and NIOSH concepts ratings, from one (1) to five (5) are assigned for health, flammability, and reactivity. The NFPA-NIOSH colors are also used blue for health, red for flammability, and yellow for reactivity. 

The definitions which form the basis for assigning numerical ratings for reactivity and flammability are similar to the NIOSH and NFPA concepts. A significant difference occurs, however, in the health definitions. NPCA uses the Health Hazard Ratings System developed by Henry F. Smyth in cooperation with the Medical Department, Union Carbide Corporation. This system enlarges previous concepts to specifically include chronic exposure and chronic effects. So called supplemental effects such as photosensitization, acne-like eruptions, eye bum without pain, and metal fume fever among others are also identified. 

Contact Patrick J. Hurd at NPCA, Inc., 1500 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005, or telephone (202) 462-6272, for further information on either HMIS or the Paint Industry Labeling Guide. 

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A Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS) for glacial acetic acid. 

A Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS) for glacial acetic acid B Definition of the hazard index and personal protection index HMIS is copyrighted by the National Paint and Coatings Association and marketed exclusively through Labelmaster, Chicago, IL... 

Categorization base on acute toxicity potential -Hazardous Materials Identification System (FIMIS and HIMS III). 

NFPA 704 Standard System for the Identification of the Fire Hazards of Materials NPCA Hazardous Materials Identification System... 

United Nations Committee on Transport of Dangerous Goods and the U.S. Department of Transportation use a classification system, outlined in Appendix C that does not completely correlate with the systems previously described. Furthermore, this system applies to the transportation of commodities and was not intended to be applied to the warehouse environment. It is intended to give an at-a-glance identification of the hazards much like the NFPA 704 and the NPCA Hazardous Materials Identification System. 

National Paint and Coatings Association. Hazardous Materials Identification System Revised—Rating Procedure. Washington, DC, January 1985. 

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. 

In order to assist NPCA member companies in communicating such health and safety information to their workers. NPCA through the Occupational Health and Safety Task Force (and in conjunction with the Canadian Paint and Coatings Association—CPCA) has developed a Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS) for use by the paint manufacturers. The system allows the paint manufacturing industry to quickly and concisely inform their employees about the variety of hazards presented by the large number of raw materials in the plant. 

For this reason, the Hazardous Materials Identification System also informs workers as to the proper protective equipment to be used. 

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. 

The responsibility for the implementation of the Hazardous Materials Identification System should be assigned to one individual by the plant manager. 

Most companies using a hazardous materials identification system have found that the best way to affix HMIS labels is to assign a person in the receiving department the responsibility for inventorying and affixing the HMIS labels. This can be accomplished in two ways, as described in c and d. 

Proportions of the Hazardous Materials Identification System Label... 

One of the important concepts associated with the development of the system is the fact that the system is a "hazardous" materials Identification system. While a material possesses inherent dangerous properties (toxicity, flammability, reactivity) the availability of the material to fulfill this property, through its use or physical form, determines Its hazard. 

CFR1910.1200 41CFR101-42.202(a) through (c) 4.1.3 Identification and Documentation of Hazardous Materials - Actual or potential hazards associated with an excess hazardous material shall be documented with a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) supplied by the manufacturer, distributor or importer. If an MSDS is not available, a Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS) record from the automated Department of Defense database is acceptable. If an MSDS or HMIS record is not available, a hazard identification document prepared by the owning DOE organization that meets the MSDS content requirements for hazardous chemicals set forth in the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29CFR1910.1200) shall be used. 

There are several forms of warning labels available that provide information about the hazards of chemicals in the workplace. Two of the most commonly used are the Hazardous Material Identification System (HMIS) warning label and the National Fire... 

Hazardous Material Identification System (HMIS) label—A color coded labeling system that warns of the hazards associated with a particular chemical. 

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. 

HMIS Hazardous material identification system. Color-coded labels combined with a numerical designation used to identify potentially hazardous materials. 

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