OSHA "Right to Know" Hazardous Communications

1. Agency Requirements
   
   
   1. OSHA enforces Hazard Communication standards
      
      
   2. All containers must be labeled - especially when pouring in a secondary container
      
      
   3. MSDS's are required for all chemicals
   
   
2. Product Labels - should contain
   
   
   1. Precautionary statements
      
      
   2. Hazards/Cautions/Warnings
      
      
   3. Explanation of how to handle safely
      
      
   4. Medical treatment required
      
      
   5. How to store and dispose of product
   
   
3. Color coding on labels
   
   
   1. Blue - represents health hazards
      
      
   2. Red - represents flammability
      
      
   3. Yellow - represents reactivity (The higher the #, the more hazardous the material)
      
      
   4. Oxidizers - can make other materials more flammable
      
      
   5. Corrosive - eat away skin/weaken steel
      
      
   6. Carcinogenic - increases the risk of cancer
      
      
   7. W - dangerous if comes in contact with water
   
   
4. MSDS contents - not all will look the same
   
   
   1. Section 1 - Name of the produce, name and address of company, how to reach in case of emergency
      
      
   2. Section 2 - Lists hazardous ingredients
      
      
   3. Section 3 - Lists physical and chemical characteristics - color and odor under regular conditions
      
      
   4. Section 4 - Reactivity - Whether product is stable and what to avoid mixing with it
      
      
   5. Hazardous Data section - signs/symptoms of over exposure, how chemical can enter body, 1st aid steps listed
      
      
   6. Special protection section - lists special equipment/clothing necessary to use product
      
      
   7. Special precautions - lists safe handling and storage
   
   
5. Important Tips
   
   
   1. Read all labels
      
      
   2. Don't mix chemicals
      
      
   3. Thoroughly rinse buckets, etc, after using chemical
      
      
   4. Don't inhale
      
      
   5. Flush drains before and after dumping chemical