Training chemical hazards

The toller needs to be familiar with all raw materials, intermediate materials, products and wastes, used, produced or generated, respectively, while operating the process. Tollers in the U.S. should comply with the Federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, codified as 29 CFR. 1910.1200 and any similar state right-to-know laws that are currently in force or may be enacted during the term of the contract. This is often stated in the contract. The contract may require the toller to inform its employees of the chemical hazards associated with products or chemicals and may also be responsible for training its employees in the proper handling methods. The toller has an obligation when in doubt about a product or chemical, to seek further information from the product s manufacturer. 

Employees must take most of the responsibility for protecting themselves from chemical hazards. However, adequate training and frequent reminders from the employer can help ensure that they take that responsibility. The following are some basic chemical-safety tips to incorporate in a worker-safety-training program or to post on the bulletin board ... 

As can be seen from the Global Reactive Chemicals Standard, all existing chemical processes will have a Reactive Chemicals/Process Hazard Analysis review on a predefined periodic basis. In addition, every new plant Production Leader should review their process with the Reactive Chemicals Committee within 90 days of assuming responsibility for a pilot or production plant. Prior to the review, the Leader should acquire training on the chemistry and processes that they are working with. This should include an evaluation of raw materials, processes, products and waste to understand any potential reactive chemical hazards. They should review and be prepared to answer questions from the completed and updated RC/PHA protocol questionnaire as well as other relevant materials in their plant Process Safety Folder, such as F EI, CEI, etc. The review should cover all auxiliary operations to the process such as raw material and product storage drum, tank car and truck loading. 

Waste generated in the laboratory can often be characterized from knowledge of the starting materials (e.g., hydrocarbon mixture, flammable laboratory solvents, chlorobenzene still bottoms). Professional expertise, common sense, judgment, and safety awareness of trained professionals performing chemical operations in the laboratory usually put them in a position to judge the type and degree of chemical hazard. 

In most workplace and transport chemical hazard communication systems, training is also a component. In consumer settings, however, the container label is the only communication mechanism available to provide information on safe handling and use. 

A label on a container of a product is designed to inform persons handling or using the chemical of its hazards. The label is the basic tool to keep the user informed of the hazards and the most important safety precautions. The label can be regarded as a snapshot of the chemical hazard(s) to be used as an alert for the worker who can get more detailed information from an MSDS or SDS, training, etc. 

The needs of the intended target audience influence what label components are used. In transport , for example, the label, placard, and transport documents are all used. In the workplace , the label is one element of a multicomponent system of chemical hazard communication, the other elements being the MSDS and training. In communicating the potential hazard of consumer products , the label plays the major role in providing the user with information about all the potential health, environmental, and physical hazards of the product and advice on using the product safely. 

Workers at factories, storage facilities, construction sites, and at small- and medium-sized enterprises are potentially exposed to industrial chemical hazards. The elements common to workplace hazard communications systems include labels, MSDS/SDS, and training. 

OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) The US OSHA s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) ensures that information about chemical hazards and associated protective measures is provided to workers and employers. This is accomplished by requiring chemical manufacturers and importers to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import, and to provide information through labels on shipped containers and MSDSs. Employers with hazardous chemicals in their workplaces must prepare and implement a written hazard communication program, and must ensure that containers are labeled, employees are provided access to MSDSs, and an effective training program is conducted for all potentially exposed employees. The HCS provides workers the right-to-know the... 

The Society has a history of collaboration and outreach. The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), 29 CFR 1910.1200, was published in 1983. Shortly thereafter, SCHC and OSHA collaborated to educate stakeholders on the new HCS. Jointly sponsored seminars were held on a regional basis with both OSHA and SCHC participating to inform both members and stakeholders about the HCS. Recently, SCHC and OSHA have signed an alliance to provide information and training on hazard communication, MSDSs, and the new GHS of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. This alliance is another step in the longstanding relationship between SCHC and OSHA to promote effective hazard communication. 

Best-seller covering chemical hazard evaluation, warning labels, MSDSs, written hazard communication plans, workplace-specific training, and employer/employee responsibilities. 

Employee training in hazard communication, examples of incorrect and correct chemical safety procedures, technical terms on labels, and MSDSs. 

The employer shall provide employees with information and training on hazardous chemicals in the workplace at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new hazardous chemical is introduced into their work area. 

Although this chapter primarily addresses the principles of occupational medicine as they apply to working in a chemical environment, it should be recognized that other workplace hazards exist. Training programs may focus on chemical warfare agents, but they should also address any additional physical and chemical hazards. A number of these hazards may be obvious and directly related to the... 

Do position descriptions for points-of-contact or coordinators responsible for chemical hazards management appropriately reflect their duties and responsibilities relative to chemical safety, as well as their training and subject matter competency ... 

Under ORNL s Chemical Safety subject area, employees receive information and training on the hazards of chemicals. They also learn methods for protecting themselves from these hazards, methods for detecting chemical hazardous chemicals, and ways to access information on the proper, use, storage and disposal of hazardous chemicals through the manufacturer s MSDS and other resources. Additional chemical-specific training is conducted in accordance with applicable regulations. 

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