Information sources, OSHA regulations

Once material becomes a waste by a generator s decision or by regulatory definition, the first responsibility for its proper disposal rests with the laboratory worker. These experimentalists are in the best position to know the characteristics of the materials they have used or synthesized. It is their responsibility to evaluate the hazards and assess the risks associated with the waste and to choose an appropriate strategy to handle, minimize, or dispose of it. As discussed earlier in this volume (see Chapter 3, section 3.B), there are numerous sources of information available to the laboratory worker to guide in the decision making, including those required under various Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. 

The OSHA regulations are the minimum requirements for safely operating vehicles and materials handling equipment. Your equipment operator s manual is the best source for information on operating your specific piece of equipment properly and safely. 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations indirectly or directly mention hand tool safety in many locations. However, for construction, there are two main sources for safety information on tools. They are ... 

Consult ANSI and NFPA standards as these sources are often considered authoritative on a particular safety topic and provide detailed information not otherwise found in OSHA regulations or other guidance. In addition, equipment manufacturers instructions often address inspection needs. 

An exhaustive source of environmental health and occupational safety information MSDSs links to other MSDS sites links to safety sites on the Internet links to occupational safety and health and environmental organizations and research programs OSHA and ERA regulations NIOSH databases discussion boards and much more. 

The OSHA PSM Standard and the EPA RMP regulation do not explicitly require the use of multiple sources when compiling process safety information. 

Emissions from individual sources can be closely regulated, both within a facility (occupational standards) and outside it (with New Source Performance Standards at the federal level and/or Air Toxic Hot Spots regulations in California). The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) began in 1970, with the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, to develop recommended exposure limits (RELs) for chemicals in the workplace. In 1974, NIOSH joined with OSHA to update the OSHA program for PELs for a wide variety of substances, incorporating cancer potency data as it became available over subsequent years. Their evaluations were published in criteria documents. Special Hazard Reviews, and summarized in a Compendium of Policy Documents and Statements (NIOSH 1992). Available information is periodically updated in the NIOSH Pocket... 

Once a regulation is in force, it is constantly being tested, interpreted, and challenged by specific cases that are borderline in some manner, and that were not anticipated when the regulation was written. Typically, there are two principal sources of information regarding updates OSHA Letters of Interpretation and the findings of Courts who have jurisdiction over process safety. 

If you want to know about the hazards of a chemical, one source is its Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). MSDSs, prepared by chemical suppliers, describe properties and information pertinent to the safety of specific chemicals. In 1980 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) wrote a regulation called the Hazard Communication Standard that required all chemical suppliers provide MSDSs to chemical users." Some of the information found in MSDSs was recorded more than 4000 years ago in hieroglyphs by the Egyptians in their tombs and papyrus records. In today s world you can find MSDSs at many sites on the Internet. When any company or individual purchases a chemical for the first time, many suppliers provide a paper copy of the MSDS with the shipment of that chemical. Alternatively, some may only provide you with access to their electronic database of MSDSs. 

The information in this book came from a number of sources, including stories from my experiences in the now defunct Louisiana Loss Prevention Association students in the AIChE s Chemical Plant Accidents course members of the Lake Area Industries - McNeese State University Engineering Department s OSHA Support meetings coworkers, process safety clients, friends, the written literature and the world wide web. I believe the case history stories are tme, but some are hearsay and are not supported with any significant documentation. The approaches and recommendations made on each case seemed appropriate. However, the author, editor, and publisher specifically disclaim that compliance with any advice contained herein will make any premises or operations safe or healthful or in compliance with any law, rule, or regulation. 

---