Hazard Communication violations ranked #2 on OSHA's top 10 list for 2007!
And it's no wonder - OSHA estimates that there may be as many as 650,000 hazardous chemical products in use in the United States and the Hazard Communication Standard applies to over three million American workplaces and over 30 million potentially exposed workers.
But, in spite of the enormous scope of workplaces and substances involved, the standard is working.
Since the HCS (Hazard Communication Standard) was adopted 20 years ago, the availability of chemical information in workplaces has increased dramatically. The provision of labels and MSDSs with products has become a standard business practice.
As you know, the rule requires chemical manufacturers and importers to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce and distribute. This information is to be disseminated on on the container labels and MSDSs. All employers with exposed employees are required to provide access to the labels, MSDSs and to train workers.
The purpose of the OSHA HazCom rule is to legitimize the right of any worker to learn about the hazardous chemicals in the workplace. Employers must fulfill this obligation through training, the creation of a written program, MSDSs and labels.
Here are a few pointers to help you keep your workplace in compliance with this important OSHA standard:
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Identify and create a list of potentially hazardous materials your employees may encounter.
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Inform workers of any operations in their work areas where hazardous materials are present.
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Explain methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence of a hazardous chemical.
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Inform all employees of location and availability of your written Hazard Communication Program.
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Update information and training whenever a new material is introduced into the workplace.
Please consult with your insurance agent and review your policy to understand how your current coverage protects you in these situations.
