NuCare Carolina Ambulance, Inc.

Annual OSHA Training

Hazard Communication 2011 Update

Hazard Communication Standard

    Established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Also known as the “Right to Know” Employees have both a need and a right to know the hazards and identities of the chemicals they are exposed to when working.

Employees also need to know what protective measures are available to prevent adverse effects from occurring.

Hazard Communication Standard (cont.)

   Knowledge acquired under the standard will help employers provide safer workplaces for their employees.

Most products used in healthcare have some hazard potential, and thus will be covered by the standard.

This standard is performance-oriented. We have the flexibility to adapt the rule to the needs of our workplace, rather than having to follow specific, rigid requirements

Relay of information

 Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import, and in return provide info about their products

What is a hazardous chemical?

   “Hazardous chemical means any chemical which is a physical hazard or a health hazard.” Not all chemicals used by NuCare are hazardous. However, NuCare does maintain a list of those which the standard refers to as “hazardous.” A determination of the degree of hazard of some chemicals used by NuCare does not necessarily mean an immediate and present danger to the safety and health of NuCare employees.

Hazardous Chemical or Not?

  If found that the product has the properties of a physical hazard (such as flammability) or a health hazard (such as irritation, lung damage, and cancer) then the product is classified as a “Hazardous

Chemical”

Certain steps must be taken if the product is classified as a hazardous chemical

    Explosives Flammable Combustible Reactive

Physical Hazards

Health Hazards

     Irritants and Corrosives Toxic and Highly Toxic Carcinogen Sensitizer Specified Target Organs

Exposure

 “Exposure” or “exposed” under the standard means that “an employee is subjected to a hazardous chemical in the course of employment through any route of entry (inhalation, ingestion, absorption, and ocular) and includes potential (accidental or possible) exposure”

The Four Keys to Harm

    How much exposure?

How often exposed?

How sensitive you are to the chemical?

How the material gets into the body ◦ i. e., the routes of entry

Routes of entry

    Inhalation Ingestion Absorption Ocular

Inhalation

  Occurs when a chemical is breathed in through the nose or mouth Most common method of getting chemicals into the body

Ingestion

   Through the mouth Can occur from one’s hands or perhaps a contaminated cigarette placed into the mouth Important not to eat or smoke in the same area as hazardous chemicals

Absorption

 Occurs when the material gets on our skin and travels into the bloodstream

Ocular

 Occurs when the material gets into the eyes and travels into the bloodstream

Material Safety Data Sheets

    Documents that give very detailed hazard information for a chemical Provided by the chemical manufacturer to provide additional information concerning safe use of the product Employers must have an MSDS for each hazardous chemical which they use Sometimes people think of “chemicals” as being only liquids in containers, but the Haz-Comm Standard covers chemicals in all forms- liquids, solids, gases, vapors, fumes, and mists- whether they are “contained” or not.

Location

 MSDS books are located at the NuCare base and updated annually  They can be found in the Crew Office or Field Office and the Supervisor’s office.

Exclusions

 These regulations do not apply to any substances which are foods, drugs, cosmetics, or tobacco products intended for personal consumption by the employees in the workplace.

 In addition, these regulations do not apply to any consumer products and food stuffs packaged for distribution (and intended for use by) the general public.

Contents of MSDS

 Section 1- Chemical Product and Company Identification  Section 4- First Aid Measures (organized by routes of entry)  Section 2- Composition, Information or Hazardous Ingredients  Section 5- Fire and Explosion Hazard  Section 3- Hazard Identification (organized by routes of entry)  Section 6- Accidental Release Measures  Section 7- Handling and Storage

Contents (cont)

     Section 8- Exposure Controls and PPE Section 9- Physical & Chemical characteristics Section 10- Reactivity Data Section 11- Toxicological Information Section 12- Ecological Information     Section 13- Disposal Considerations Section 14- Transport Information Section 15- Regulatory Information Section 16- Other Information

Update of MSDS

   Any time a new product is purchased an MSDS sheet will be generated if not accompanied by the product.

New MSDS sheets will be kept updated by using a standard form—this is done annually in December.

Required information should be written on the form and forwarded to the Safety Officer and they will be responsible for updating all books.

Other Requirements of Compliance

   Product labels Chemical Inventory Written Program   Material Safety Data Sheets Training

Product Labels

     Labels must be affixed to each chemical container in the workplace Must contain name and address of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party Labels must remain intact. Labels must identify the container contents and warn the user of hazards that may exist while using the product Labels must be legible, in English, and prominently displayed.

Chemical Inventory

    The list will serve as an inventory of everything for which an MSDS must be procured and maintained Products name and manufacturer’s name are listed A compiled list of chemicals are located at each base Contained in the MSDS binder is also the written Hazard Communication Program

Training

    Each employee who may be “exposed” to hazardous chemicals when working must be provided information and trained prior to initial assignment to work with a hazardous chemical Training is to be done initially, annually, and whenever the hazard changes Training must occur within 30 days of employment for new employees, full or part time Must be documented with detailed records of training maintained by the company and available for review by supervision, compliance and training staff

Written Program

   All workplaces where employees are exposed to hazardous chemicals must have a written plan which describes how the standard will be implemented in that facility The written program and all relative data is available upon request to employees and their designated representatives, if any; also to the North Carolina Commissioner of Labor Written program will be located in MSDS book

Protecting Yourself

    Always remember you are #1.

Protecting yourself is always your first priority Keep your work area clean and orderly Use the necessary safety equipment (i.e. gloves, gowns, goggles)     Carefully label every container with the identity of its contents and warnings.

Store incompatible chemicals in separate areas Provide means of containing the material if containers should break or spill the contents Obtain and read the MSDS sheets

Protective Measures

 By now, you should have a better understanding of the hazardous properties of chemicals, and how to recognize the hazards of the particular chemicals with which we work

Protective Measures (cont)

 Even though chemicals in the workplace may be dangerous, there are methods available to ensure that the risk is minimized or eliminated

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

     Gloves: Protect your hands from chemical exposure Goggles: Should be worn when there is a possibility of splashing chemicals in your eyes Face shields: Protect your face as well as your eyes Respirators: Needed if you have significant exposure to vapors, fumes or mists of a hazardous material Gowns

Employee Responsibilities

      Know where to obtain info about Hazardous chemicals in your work area Read and understand labels/MSDS sheets before you start working Ask questions if you are not sure Keep work area clean Use required PPE/clothing DO NOT eat, drink or smoke around chemicals

Employee Responsibilities (cont)

   Practice good personal hygiene practices, e.g. wash hands before eating, drinking, or smoking Learn emergency procedures for your area Follow procedures for exposure, disposal and spill clean-up

Employer Responsibilities

   Take steps to reduce exposures by providing safer workplaces Substitute less hazardous materials Establish proper work practices

Conclusion

      Information is the key Your first line of defense in protecting yourself against hazardous chemicals is knowledge of the chemical itself.

Make yourself aware of the chemicals around you and preventive measures that can be taken How well you practice safe and healthful work habits will determine your safety and well-being You should be able to go home as healthy as when you came to work.

Your job should not cause you your health

Any Questions About This Section

?

If you are taking the online version of this course, open the html document entitled “Haz-Com Quiz”, answer each question and click “Submit”