UCAR Safety Manual

Hazard Communication

REFERENCE: 2-1.4
EFFECTIVE DATE: 6-1-90
LATEST CHANGE DATE: 5-4-07
SUPERSEDES: 2-1.3

RIGHT-TO-KNOW POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

0.0  Scope

Provides information to enhance the safe procurement, storage, use and disposal of hazardous substances and to meet the requirements set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) "HAZARD COMMUNICATION STANDARD, 29 CFR 1910.1200. These policies and procedures do not apply to employees, operations or facilities that are covered under 29 CFR 1910.1450, "OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES TO HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS IN LABORATORIES."

1.0  Definitions

1.1  Carcinogen
Cancer causing materials that are one or more of the following: (a) regulated by OSHA, (b) listed as known carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program, (c) listed as Group I, Group 2a or 2b carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer Monographs.
1.2  Corrosive
Material, liquid or solid, causing visible destruction or irreversible skin damage. or in the case of leakage, a material that has severe corrosion rate on steel.
1.3  Flammable
Liquid or gas with a flash point of 100 degrees F or less. A solid that readily causes fire through friction, absorption, or spontaneous change.
1.4  Flash point
The temperature at which a liquid gives of sufficient vapor to ignite in the presence of an ignition source as tested by approved test methods.
1.5  Hazardous Materials
Substance that is one or more of the following: extremely toxic, highly toxic, mutagenic, teratogenic, corrosive, irritant, strong sensitizer, dangerously reactive, flammable, combustible, pyrophoric, strong oxidizer, pressure generating or compressed gas, asphyxiant.
1.6  Mutagen
Causes chromosome damage.
1.7  Teratogen
Causes birth defects.

2.0  Responsibilities

2.1  Supervisor
Day to day implementation of policies and procedures, establishes and promotes positive safety attitude and performs the following:

1. Implements policies/procedures, identifies employees needing training, provides job specific training and re- training, notifies Health and Environmental manager of hazardous materials obtained by means other than purchase requisition, stores, protects and makes available MSDS books to employees,
2. identifies non-conformance situations and notifies Environmental manager.

2.2  Health and Environmental Manager
Provides administrative framework for implementation and

1. Writes policies and procedures, Assures procedures are compliant with OSHA standards, Revises procedures Maintains required documents including master MSDSs', Reviews chemical acquisitions,
2. Establishes minimum safety requirements and conveys information to appropriate levels of management, audit facilities and employees for compliance.

2.3  Purchasing
Process purchase orders and

1. screens purchase requisitions to identify hazardous materials, notifies Health and Environmental Manager of requests for purchase of hazardous materials,
2. Requests MSDSs for hazardous materials.

2.4  Employees
Conduct activities in safe manner and according to policies and procedures and

1. works in safe manner,
   attends/participates in training,
   recognizes and understand potential hazards of workplace,
   adheres to policies and procedures,
   
2. reports out of tolerance conditions to supervisor.

3.0  Procurement of Hazardous Materials
Hazardous materials shall be acquired in an orderly and systematic manner thus providing the necessary controls ensure safe and diligent use of said materials.

3.1  Purchasing
Hazardous materials shall be acquired only through approved purchasing systems. Materials shall not be acquired via petty cash, petty cash reimbursements, request for check, unless specifically pre-approved by the Purchasing Manager and the Health and Environmental Manager.

3.2  Requisition Procedure

1. Requisitioner shall identify hazardous materials by placing appropriate code in the expense code category on all purchase requisitions
   purchasing agent shall notify Health and Environmental Manager of all purchase requests for hazardous materials,
   
2. Health Environment and Safety Director shall review hazardous material requisitions assuring that
   
   1. Surplus chemicals do not already exist
      Minimum quantities of material are purchased,
      Least toxic/hazardous materials, compatible with intended use are selected
      Adequate and proper safety controls are available
      requisitioner is familiar with hazards and safety controls
      Material Safety Data sheets are/will be available,
      final user has received training,
      
   2. if safety controls are deemed inadequate, the Health, Environment and Safety Director shall forward recommendations for compliance to requisitioner. Materials may not be used until minimum safety controls an knowledge are established/obtained.

3.3  Vendors
Shall supply Material Safety Data Sheets for all hazardous materials at the time of first requisition and thereafter upon request. Vendors failing to supply MSDSs' may be subject to removal from the approved vendor list.

Employees shall be provided information and training with respect to the hazardous materials in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new hazard is introduced into the work area. General nonspecific training shall be provided by the Health and Environmental Manager. Job specific training will be provided by the employee's supervisor.

4.0  Training

4.1  Information
Employees shall be informed about hazardous materials including:
(a) regulatory requirements of Hazard Communication standards,
(b) presence, identity and location of hazardous chemicals,
(c) location and availability of this UCAR's Hazard Communication program and Material Safety Data Sheets.

4.2  Training
Employees having potential exposure to hazardous materials will receive training about materials including:

1. detection methods,
   physical and health hazards,
   Appropriate protective measures,
   container labeling system,
   
2. how to read and interpret Material Safety Data Sheets.

4.3  Training, Outline
The following areas shall be covered during non-job specific training:
4.3.1 Introduction: Explains applicable regulations.
4.3.2 Policies and.Procedures: Explains specifies of purchase, storage, use, and disposal of hazardous materials.
4.3.3 Toxicity Hazards: Explains toxicity, routes of entry, methods of detection and prevention of exposure to hazardous materials.
4.3.4 Flammable Hazards: Explains fire triangle and how to prevent fires.
4.3.5 Corrosive Hazards: Explains corrosivity and what to do if a spill or splash occurs.
4.3.6 Reactive Hazards: Explains chemical compatibility/storage.
4.3.7 Hazards Unique to UCAR:

4.4  Job Specific Training
Provided by the supervisor most familiar with the day-to-day operations and activities. Includes specific hazards, review of MSDSS, protective equipment, safety systems, emergency response, waste disposal and general safety procedures.

5.0  Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
Hazard information shall be transmitted in a timely and efficient manner through the use of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).

5.1 Availability
A master listing of all MSDSs' shall be kept on file by the Health,      Environment and Safety Director. Customized MSDS books shall be compiled and kept in a functionally common areas. The book shall be readily accessible to all employees during each work shift. MSDSs' received directly from the vendor should be forwarded to the Health and Environment Manager.

5.2 Updates
The Health, Safety and Environmental Director shall update the master file and customized books upon receipt of new or updated MSDSs'.

5.3 Custodians
The supervisor residing in each functionally common area shall be designated as MSDS Custodian and shall be responsible for the availability, condition and use of the book. The Custodian shall assure that visitors are properly indoctrinated to the area including hazards of MSDS books.

6.0  Labeling System
Employees shall be warned of potential hazards through a uniform container labeling system. The system will rely mostly on labels provided by the manufacturer. The manufacturers labels shall remain in place and be maintained wherever possible. Labels are required for containers whose volume exceeds the quantities to used in a single shift i.e. 1 pint or greater.

6.1 Requirements
Containers received shall be labeled by the manufacturer, importer and/or distributor such that the label shall identify the hazardous chemical, provide appropriate hazard warnings and will include the name of the manufacturer, importer and/or distributor. These labels shall remain in place and shall not be removed. Labels shall be legible, and prominently displayed on the container. UCAR generated materials must be properly labeled before leaving UCAR property.

6.2 In-House Labels

6.2.1 Containers requiring re-labeling shall utilize the NFPA warning system as follows: for the categories of:

HEALTH=Blue FLAMMABILITY=Red REACTIVITY=Yellow WHITE=Special Information

6.2.2 Hazards are rated on a scale of 0-4 as follows:

0=None
1=Slight
2=Moderate
3=Severe
4=Extreme

6.3  Multiple Regulations
Labels shall not conflict with specific regulations that require special labeling requirements i.e. Hazardous Materials Transportation or substance specific labeling requirements of the OSHA act.

7.0   Storage
Storage of hazardous materials shall not endanger employees, facilities, the public, the environment and shall comply with the applicable local, state and federal regulations. Hazardous materials shall be stored in secured areas where access is controlled. Under no condition may hazardous materials be stored in hallways, public areas or next to food products.

7.1 Flammable Materials
Flammable chemicals will be stored in approved flammable storage cabinets. Cabinets will be stored away from ignition sources, flames, cigarettes, and sparking tools. Chemical compatibilities, as described on MSDSs' shall be observed. Oxidizing chemicals will be segregated and stored separately from flammable chemicals. Appropriate fire extinguisher and spill clean-up kits shall be available in the immediate storage area.

7.2 Corrosive Materials
Corrosive materials shall be stored within containment systems of sufficient volume to retain all released material in the event of a spill or breakage. Chemical compatibilities, in accordance with MSDSs' shall be observed. Proper fire extinguisher and spill clean-up kits shall be available in the immediate area.

7.3 Toxic Materials 
Toxic materials (includes systemic poisons, carcinogens, teratogens, mutagens, irritants, sensitizers, shall be stored in a manner so as to preclude their release. Appropriate fire extinguisher and spill clean-up kits shall be available in the immediate storage area.

8.0  Radioactive Materials
Radioactive materials shall be stored in secured locations. All entry points into the storage room shall be marked with appropriate radioactive signs. Appropriate fire extinguisher and spill clean-up kits shall be available in the immediate storage area.  Radioactive Materials are also regulated by the Radiation Safety Manual found at:
http://www.fin.ucar.edu/sass/hess/emp_radiation/

9.0   Compressed Gases
Compressed gases shall be used and stored managed to prevent damage to cylinders or uncontrolled releases of contents. Cylinders shall be secured to walls, or benches and when not in use shall be capped.

10.0   Hazardous Material Use
Hazardous materials shall only be used by individuals who by education, training and experience are knowledgeable and capable of handling the material in a safe and diligent manner. Employees will be trained to recognize these appropriate hazard types and how to safely handle and use the chemicals involved.

10.1 Chemical Hazards Present
The following substances and hazards are associated with chemical supplies found at UCAR: Flammables, Corrosives, Paints, Reactives, Systemic Poisons, Radioactive Materials, Asphyxiants, Carcinogens, Cleaning Supplies, Sensitizers, Gases.

10.2 Work Practices
Work practices involving hazardous materials shall be such so as to ensure that no person will be exposed to significant risk of harm, no building or equipment will be damaged nor suffer impairment of normal function and no unplanned effects on the environment will occur because of the presence and use of said material at UCAR facilities.

10.3 Personal Protective Equipment
Eye protection, safety shoes, protective gloves, respirators, hearing protective devices, and other safety related equipment shall be made available, at no cost to the employee, for all operations presenting potential hazards to employees. Employees shall receive appropriate training prior to use of equipment  and shall use equipment as directed.

10.4 Ventilation
Hazardous materials shall be used in properly ventilated environments as necessary to limit airborne concentrations to less than that of the OSHA regulations.

10.5 Material Hazard Information
Potential hazards associated with the use of materials shall be known and understood prior to the using said material. Every manufacturer of a hazardous material is required by federal law to evaluate the hazards of the material and to transmit the hazard information, via and MSDS, to purchasers of the material.

If a hazardous material (other than waste) is generated at UCAR facilities, the organization responsible for the generation of the material assists the Health Environment and Safety Services Director in evaluating the hazards, developing and distributing MSDSs' to recipients of the material.

10.6 Hazard Evaluation During Use
Each employee shall use hazardous materials in a safe and diligent manner consistent with acceptable risk. Once per year the Health, Safety and Environmental Committee shall inspect work areas to determine conformance to acceptable work practices. Discrepancies shall be noted in writing and submitted to the appropriate level of management.

10.7 Unusual Work Assignments
When unusual and non-routine work assignments are made, a pre-job hazard evaluation is required of the immediate supervisor. Potential hazards shall be communicated to affected employees. The supervisor or lead scientist shall notify the Health, Environment and Safety Services Director of upcoming work and a joint review will be conducted.

10.8 Contractors
Contractors are responsible for establishing and implementing a hazard communication program for their employees that meets all OSHA standards. A copy of their plan and MSDS for all chemicals that will be used on the project must be submitted to the Health, Environment and Safety Services Director

 

 

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