Introduction to Hazardous
Materials Safety

03/05/07

You don’t have to work at Three Mile Island to be exposed to potentially hazardous substances. Indeed, almost all workplaces of any size contain at least a few substances that could pose potential safety hazards to your workers. For example, your janitorial closets may contain ammonias, bleaches, phosphates or other caustic cleaning solvents. Shops that house machinery often contain petroleum products — fuels, oils, and lubricants — needed for their maintenance.

Federal law requires safeguards to protect workers from hazardous materials (HazMat) in the workplace. Originally, the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) — the law requiring employers to clearly communicate the hazards posed by dangerous chemicals — applied only to the manufacturing industry. Since 1987, though, the law has been updated to apply to all businesses, regardless of industry or size. If you have hazardous materials in your workplace — for any purpose — you may need to update your HazMat program.

What’s involved

Federal "Right-to-Know" laws, which build upon the HCS regulations, require all importers and manufacturers of chemicals to research their properties, and communicate all hazards to all workers. Companies working "downstream" whose workers may come into contact with such chemicals are required to communicate all hazards to their workers as well. "Communicating hazards," means training all workers on the specific hazards of the chemicals that exist in their workplace, and how to use them safely. This includes an understanding of the physical properties of the hazardous material; e.g., is it a flammable solid, a corrosive or an explosive, and what to do if someone comes into contact with or ingests a hazardous material. Training also should include what is appropriate safety gear and how to use it.

HCS established uniform requirements to ensure that all chemicals in U.S. workplaces are evaluated and that the information is transmitted to employees. Chemical importers and manufacturers must create a material safety data sheet (MSDS) on every chemical they introduce to the marketplace. All employers must have a hazard communication program in place to educate employees on how to find and use the MSDSs.

The key to a successful program is specificity and follow-through, says Linda Sterling, a human resources manager at Johnson Hosiery Mills in Fort Payne, Alabama. Johnson Hosiery maintains eight MSDS binders, prominently located throughout its plant. The company’s HazMat training program focuses on the specific bleaches, dyes, and lubricants actually in the facility. Every employee is retrained on HazMat safety every year. And the HazMat program is supported throughout the year. "The main things we focus on are maintenance and good housekeeping," says Sterling.

G.Neil offers many safety products designed to bring your HazMat program into compliance. For example, our Right to Know Bundle includes prominent MSDS binder display, the binder itself, and a poster. And our Hazard Communication Training Kit provides an ideal way to conduct employee training sessions.


May 2005