Hazard Communication and Chemical Safety Hazard Classification

The purpose of hazard communication is to ensure that
employers and employees know about work hazards
and how to protect themselves so that the incidence of
illnesses and injuries due to hazardous chemicals is
reduced.
Why should chemical hazards be communicated?
Exposure Risk: About 32 million workers
potentially exposed to chemical hazards
Profusion of Chemicals: About 650,000
chemical products exist; hundreds of new ones
introduced annually
Health Effects: May include heart ailments,
central nervous system damage, kidney and
lung damage, sterility, cancer, burns, and rashes
Safety Hazards: Potential to cause fires,
explosions, or other serious accident
Chemical manufacturers and importers shall evaluate
chemicals produced in their workplaces or imported by
them. For each chemical, the chemical manufacturer or
importer shall determine the hazard classes, and where
appropriate, the category of each class that apply to the
chemical being classified.
Employers must have a written program
describing how the rule will be implemented,
including a list of hazardous chemicals, methods
for informing employees about non-routine
tasks.
Employers must make sure the program is
current when the new provisions are
implemented (e.g., list of hazardous chemicals
may have to be updated).
Label Requirements

Containers of hazardous chemicals entering

Employees have both a need and a right to know the
workplace must be labeled with:
hazards and identities of the chemicals they are exposed
to when working. They also need to know what Identity of chemical
protective measures are available to prevent adverse Appropriate hazard warnings
effects from occurring. o Message, picture or symbol
o Hazards of chemical
Who is covered? o Target organs affected
Name and address of responsible party
General industry, shipyard, marine terminals,
long shoring, and construction employers
Chemical manufacturers, importers, employers,
and employees exposed to chemical hazards

Ways to minimize workplace harards:

Hazard Assessment: The first step in

minimizing workplace hazards is to perform a
thorough hazard assessment
Manufacturer Evaluations: Employers can rely
on the manufacturers or importers evaluations
of the hazards of the chemicals they use. Fig. 1 Labels and other forms of warning
Health Hazard Definitions

Acute: rapid effects, as a result of short-term

exposures, of short duration
Chronic: effects as a result of long-term
exposure, of long duration
Corrosive: Visible destruction or irreversible
damage to body tissue, including acids and
caustics (bases)

Target Organ Effects

Hepatotoxins: liver damage

Nephrotoxins: kidney damage
Neurotoxins: nervous system effects
Agents which act on the blood or hematopoietic
system: deprive body tissues of oxygen
Agents which damage the lungs