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The purpose of Hazard Communication is to ensure that the hazards of chemicals and other physical hazards, such as noise, radiation, vibration, etc., in the workplace are evaluated, and that information concerning their hazards is understood by the employees. This is communicated by a hazard communication program to include, labeling and other forms of warning, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) and employee training.

Online Hazard Communication Training and quiz.

UAF Hazard Communication Program can be viewed three ways: 1) below and 2) WORD document or 3) PDF document

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Hazard Communication Program  

December 2007

TABLE OF CONTENTS :

REGENTS’ POLICY

PART V – FINANCE AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Chapter 05.09 - Risk Management and Environmental Health and Safety

P05.09.010. Introduction and Purpose.

A. Although all risks and exposures cannot be foreseen or eliminated, through this policy the board intends to establish a framework within which the university administration can effectively and efficiently establish and maintain a risk management and environmental health and safety program.

B. The risk management and environmental health and safety program shall include general, occupational, and environmental health and safety, environmental protection, general risk management, loss prevention, insurance, and claims administration. The RM/EHS program will be established and maintained under an enterprise-wide philosophy, whereby safety and risk control are incorporated into all facets of the organization and its programs; i.e. Enterprise Risk Management. The president is charged with the responsibility to provide for and require sound and proactive business, operations, and program practices in order to safeguard human, property, financial, and other resources of the university. The goal of the RM/EHS program will be to facilitate the accomplishment of the university’s primary missions of instruction, research, and public service at a reasonable cost with minimal disruptions and adverse events.

P05.09.020. Authority and Authorized Delegation.

A. The president shall issue university regulation to implement this policy. The president or the president’s designee shall approve payment of all claims and litigation in accordance with university regulation.

B. The university’s chief finance office shall cause to be maintained an effective risk management program including environmental health and safety, loss prevention, insurance, and claims administration. The chief finance officer shall maintain a statewide office of risk management and appoint a statewide risk manager, who is trained and experienced in the various aspects of risk management, to serve as director for the office and oversee the university’s RM/EHS program.

C. As determined through external, internal, or other risk assessment processes, SWORM will coordinate with, serve on committees for, and participate in program planning and development in areas such as crisis planning, response, and communication.

D. The statewide risk manager and the manager’s designee shall have full and unrestricted access to all university records, whether hard copy, electronic, or other, property, and personnel as may be required to carry out their responsibilities under these policies. Documents and information provided to the statewide risk manager or designee shall, at a minimum, be subject to the same confidentiality and privacy requirements and restrictions as the originals. Any question regarding the legality or prudence of access authorized under this policy shall be resolved by a determination of the General Counsel, or counsel’s designee.

P05.09.030. Financing.

A. Each chancellor will be responsible for funding and maintaining adequate resources to ensure that the RM/EHS programs at their respective campuses are at a level that meets the minimum standards as may be set by the SWORM.

B. The system wide RM/EHS program shall be operated and funded using cost allocation methodologies developed in accordance with standards and principles established by the university’s chief finance officer and approved by the university’s cognizant federal oversight agency, the Office of Naval Research, to the extent applicable. The cost estimation and allocation process shall function similar to an insurance premium, resulting in an allocation of the costs of risk to the various campuses and (cost centers ) based on benefit, exposure, and loss experience to the extent practicable. The primary goals of the cost allocation process are to provide a fair, consistent, and reasonable assignment of the costs of risk to the various cost objectives and activities of the university, to encourage managerial accountability for risk decisions, and to help stabilize the annual charges to the operating budget.

P05.09.040. Roles and Responsibilities.

Roles and responsibilities under this chapter shall be as provided by university regulation.

P05.09.090. Definitions.

In this chapter:

A. “RM/EHS” means risk management and environmental health and safety; and

B. “SWORM” means statewide office of risk management.

UNIVERSITY REGULATION

PART V – FINANCE AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Chapter 05.09 - Risk Management and Environmental Health and Safety

R05.09.010. Introduction and Purpose.

The university, through its established management structure and as delineated below, shall maintain appropriate Risk Management and Environmental, Health and Safety (RM/EHS) programs for all university operations. It will strive for standardization and consolidation of RM/EHS programs and the sharing of professional skills to the extent practicable in order to make the most efficient use of resources as well as providing for operational consistency for campus application and use. The statewide office of risk management will coordinate these activities with the campuses, institutes, and extended sites, and facilitate implementation of such programs and processes under these premises whenever possible to assure accountability and provide oversight as required by the Board of Regents and system administration.

R05.09.020. Authority and Authorized Delegation

The university’s chief finance officer is authorized to implement and administer the university’s RM/EHS programs in accordance with Regents’ Policy 05.09 and these regulations. Such authority and powers may be delegated to the statewide chief risk officer and others qualified and capable of carrying out the responsibilities. The statewide chief risk officer may further delegate RM/EHS authority and powers to others qualified and capable of carrying out the responsibilities. Such delegations shall be in writing, updated on a periodic basis, and subject to the limitations stated in the delegation. Authority to make binding offers of settlement of litigation or claims is delegated by the university president. Settlement delegations shall be in writing and may only be re-delegated as authorized by the university president.

R05.09.030. Financing.

Funding for the operations of the statewide office of risk management is generated by an annual allocation of the cost of risk to each MAU reflecting the proportionate share of each unit, based on their respective exposures (such as personnel, payroll, facilities, vehicles, etc), loss history (actual), actuarial projected losses, risk management and environmental health and safety operating costs, outside services (such as brokers, consultants, IT services, and actuarial fees), insurance premiums, and other related costs. The monies are deposited each year into the self-insurance pool, a non-lapsing liability account, which is to be accessed only for the above listed purposes and expenditures. The liability account balance is intended to be maintained at a level sufficient to cover expected claims and the minimum balance should be maintained at no less than the 50% confidence level, based on professional actuarial projections. The statewide office of risk management must maintain proper and accurate accounting of the above costs of risk funded by the self-insurance pool.

R05.09.040. Roles and Responsibilities.

All members of the university community have a role in maintaining a safe and healthful university environment. This is best accomplished by ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and risk management and environmental health and safety program requirements.

A. Statewide Office of Risk Management and Environmental Health & Safety

1. General

a. Design, staff, and organize services to align qualified professional personnel with system needs and assist in coordination of all MAU risk management activities.

b. Review and analyze current operations and programs, as well as plans and proposals for future activities, to identify risk exposures, facilitate better informed strategic decision making, improve practices and processes, and enable a better allocation of capital and resources to address risk.

c. Facilitate best practices by developing, implementing, and coordinating programs, processes, procedures, training, education programs, and any other effective means.

d. Design, develop, and implement programs, procedures, guidelines, and processes to minimize or mitigate risk exposures and facilitate the correction of situations that have an unacceptable level of risk.

e. Design and implement loss prevention, cost containment, and other programs that reduce the frequency and severity of loss, the cost of risk, and improve personnel safety and environmental protection.

f. Design and implement emergency preparedness, disaster and business continuity programs.

g. Establish and administer the Compliance Assurance and Assistance Program to assist in maintaining regulatory compliance with environmental health and safety statutes, regulations, policies, and program requirements.

h. Provide oversight and guidance to departments for the conduct of Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) required prior to acquiring an interest in real property, including leasehold interests, donations, easements, use permits, etc.

i. Design and provide for meaningful training in risk management principles and functions applicable to a variety of operational areas.

j. Disseminate information to university community on requirements of appropriate federal, state and university laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

k. Establish insurance requirements for contracts, agreements and operations which may only be waived by the CFO, statewide chief risk officer, or designee as delegated in writing.

2. Claims

For purposes of this regulation, claims against the university include those made by individuals for damages, injury, or death arising out of alleged university negligence, workers’ compensation claims, and claims for damage or loss of university property, including non-owned property for which the university is contractually liable and property that is in the university’s care, custody, or control.

a. Establish and maintain communications network for prompt efficient claims management and the reporting of incidents, claims, and lawsuits to the statewide office of risk management.

b. Only the president, general counsel, statewide chief risk officer, or their designees, are authorized to investigate, approve and pay for claims and litigation, (including the cost of defense).

c. Investigate, monitor, and settle claims within authority delegated by the president.

d. Self-insured claims will be settled consistent with the terms and conditions of excess insurance policies and/or coverage guidelines developed and promulgated by the statewide chief risk officer.

e. Determine coverage for losses or claims under the university's insurance program.

3. Insurance

For purposes of this regulation, insurance includes all types of insurance except student health insurance administered by the student services departments and life, health, and long term disability insurance programs administered by the statewide office of human resources.

a. Develop and administer risk financing techniques to protect the university from the costs of normal and expected property and casualty losses as well as catastrophic losses through a combination of self-insurance, commercial insurance, contractual risk transfer, and other techniques.

b. Develop and implement special risk insurance programs for the university, students, and the university community.

c. Issue certificates and evidence of insurance in response to requests from outside entities.

d. Retain the services of brokerage firms and/or insurance agencies.

e. Collaborate with the State of Alaska or other appropriate institutions and entities to obtain mutually beneficial insurance programs.

B. Campus Administration

1. Administration shall provide appropriate financial and organizational support to assure UA operations are conducted in compliance with legal and risk management and environmental health and safety program requirements.

2. Provide facilities and equipment required and compatible for a safe working and learning environment.

3. Ensure individuals under their management have the authority and support necessary to implement effective risk management and health and safety programs.

4. Establish procedures for the dissemination of information and implementation and monitoring of risk management and environmental health and safety programs including procedures to ensure compliance with required reports to Statewide Risk Management. .

5. Designate individuals responsible for authorizing contractual agreements and establish procedures to ensure regular review of contracts for compliance with legal, risk management, and other business requirements.

C. Campus Offices of Environmental Health and Safety & Risk Management

1. Develop and assist in the implementation of programs for safe and healthy work practices.

2. Provide staff support to safety and other relevant campus committees.

3. Provide risk management and environmental health and safety training and materials.

4. Operate hazardous waste disposal services.

5. Monitor compliance with risk management and environmental health and safety programs.

6. Provide guidance and technical assistance to supervisors and managers in identifying and evaluating risks and correcting hazards.

7. Maintain operational and specialty material licenses, permits and registrations of devices (x-ray, etc.).

8. Stop any activity that presents an unreasonable health and safety risk to employees, students, visitors or the environment.

9. Report immediately to the Statewide Office of Risk Management any occurrence resulting in a loss of life or requiring the hospitalization of one or more people; any declared disaster at any campus or facility; or any situation requiring the implementation of either a campus or university emergency operations plan and use of public response agencies.

10. Report to the Statewide Office of Risk Management within eight (8) hours all claims and lawsuits; property damage or loss expected to result in a claim over $10,000; and any environmental release that is reportable to a federal, state or local regulatory agency.

11. Report to the Statewide Office of Risk Management within 24 hours all injuries to third parties (anyone who is not an employee); employee injuries requiring a doctor visit or time off work; all motor vehicle accidents involving the university and a third party; any other situation that may give rise to an adverse claim against the university; and or, any official visit by a regulatory agency that involves either a compliance audit or a documented Notice of Violation from that agency.

D. Campus supervisors, faculty, principal investigators, first line supervisors, and all other persons designated responsibility for managing or supervising students and/or employees:

1. Supervisors are responsible for compliance with legal and risk management and environmental health and safety program requirements.

2. Supervisors are responsible for assessing the potential hazards associated with the activities of the participants in the programs and operations under their authority, reducing or eliminating identified hazards, communicating hazards and protective measures to the participants, and seeking technical assistance for these tasks from risk management and environmental health and safety as needed.

3. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that participants in their programs and operations are adequately trained and able to perform their tasks safely.

4. Supervisors are responsible for facilitating hazard reviews, inspections and/or audits of their programs and operations as well as taking prompt action when unsafe or non-compliant acts or conditions are discovered or reported to them.

5. Supervisors must report unsafe acts or conditions, non-compliance, injuries, or incidents to the appropriate internal department.

6. Report immediately to a RM/EHS office any occurrence resulting in a loss of life or requiring the hospitalization of one or more people; any declared disaster at any campus or facility; or any situation requiring the implementation of either a campus or university emergency operations plan and use of public response agencies.

7. Report to a RM/EHS office within eight (8) hours all claims and lawsuits; property damage or loss expected to result in a claim over $10,000; and any environmental release that is reportable to a federal, state or local regulatory agency.

8. Report to a RM/EHS office within 24 hours all injuries to third parties (anyone who is not an employee); employee injuries requiring a doctor visit or time off work; all motor vehicle accidents involving the university and a third party; any other situation that may give rise to an adverse claim against the university; and or, any official visit by a regulatory agency that involves either a compliance audit or a documented Notice of Violation from that agency.

E. Faculty, Staff, and Students

1. Participate in training programs.

2. Promptly report unsafe conditions, environmental health hazards, as well as injuries and illnesses to the cognizant supervisor or program director.

3. Give due consideration to personal safety and the safety of others.

4. Adhere to applicable laws and risk management and environmental health and safety program requirements.

5. Understand that disregard of legal or risk management and environmental health and safety requirements can result in disciplinary action.

6. Actively promote safety and loss prevention in all activities.

(10-12-07)

UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS
SAFETY SYSTEM POLICY AND PROCEDURE

DOCUMENT NUMBER: 503
ISSUE DATE: SEPTEMBER 1996 revised May 2007
SUBJECT: Hazard Communication (Employee Right-To-Know) Procedure

HAZARD COMMUNICATION PROCEDURE

I. INTRODUCTION

State and federal law requires certain employers to prepare and implement a written Hazard Communication Program that includes:

A. A list of hazards

B. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

C. Labels/warning systems

D. Employee training 

II. RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Administration

The Director of UAF Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management (EHS&RM) will be responsible for all program reviews and updating.

The Director of UAF EHS&RM will also ensure that all employees are informed of the contents of the Hazard Communication Program, the major properties of each hazard with which the employee works, where descriptive information is maintained, safe handling procedures, and measures that an employee can take to protect themselves.

B. Employee

1. Attend all required training.

2. Read the "Employee Right-to-Know" and other safety posters.

3. Know the name of their Department Safety Coordinator.

4. Know where to access Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).

5. Notify the UAF EHS&RM Hazmat Team (474-5487) when an MSDS is needed, a new hazard has been introduced into the workplace.

6. Use personal protective equipment when the chemical label, MSDS, UAF policy, or common sense requires its use.

7. Demonstrate knowledge of "Employee Right-to-Know" and safety procedures within their department.

8. Report any incident involving real or potential exposure to the Department Safety Coordinator or EHS&RM.
  

III. LIST OF HAZARDS

The Department Safety Coordinator will maintain a list of all hazardous chemicals, substances, and physical agent hazards found in, or associated with, the workplace(s). This list will be updated when a new hazard is introduced or removed. Each hazard identified will have a corresponding Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) which will be maintained as part of the Hazard Communication Program. The Department Safety Coordinator will notify the EHS&RM when he/she needs additional MSDS for materials identified during the inventory process. Copies of the inventory list will be forwarded to the Hazardous Materials Supervisor, who will maintain the master list and the master MSDS file.

This program is applicable to substances that have trade names, chemicals names, and/or common physical agents.

THE DEPARTMENTAL HAZARD INVENTORY, AND THE MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDS), MUST BE MADE READILY AVAILABLE TO EMPLOYEES.

IV. MSDS SYSTEM

The Department Safety Coordinator will be responsible for requesting and maintaining a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each hazard identified in the department and listed in the hazard inventory.

The EHS&RM Hazmat Team will assist in obtaining the MSDS. MSDS’s can also be found online at http://www.ilpi.com/msds/

Written requests from employees will also be made a part of this section until the request is satisfied.

V. LABELING SYSTEM

All containers must be properly labeled and updated as necessary. At a minimum, each label must contain the following:

A. Chemical Identity
B. Hazard Warning
C. Manufacturer (Name and Address) 

Pipes, or piping systems, will be labeled and their contents will be covered in the training sessions. Posters may be utilized for physical hazards (such as noise and cold).

The following poster(s) will be displayed in a prominent place:

A. SAFETY AND HEALTH PROTECTION ON THE JOB
Published by the Alaska Department of Labor
Division of Labor Standards and Safety
(DOSH 2203 R 1/84)

Available at: http://www.labor.state.ak.us/lss/forms/right-to-know.pdf and must be taped together to create 11” x 17” poster.

B. EMERGENCY INFORMATION 

VI. TRAINING

The Hazard Communication Standard requires that each employer inform and train employees when they are assigned to a work area where hazardous chemicals, substances, and/or physical agents are present. In addition, all exposed employees must be trained when a new hazard is introduced into the work area.

The following departments will be responsible for:

Initial Employee Training - EHS&RM Department
New Hazard Training - Department Safety Coordinator, EHS&RM
Departmental Training - Departmental Supervisor, Department Safety Coordinator

The following material is provided as a supervisor's training guide which outlines specific subjects to be covered. It is not intended to be a substitute for actual employee training.

Training will consist of:

A. Written Hazard Communication Program

1. Application
2. Responsibilities
3. Obligations

B. Physical and Health Hazards

C. Listing of Hazards

D. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

1. Location
2. Interpretation
3. Use

E. Labeling Systems

F. Controlling Work Place Exposure

1. Engineering
2. Administrative
3. Personal Protective Equipment 

G. Training Record

Quick Reference: Application and Responsibilities  

Application:

This Hazard Communication Program applies to all employees and to all work operations* in the university where an employee may be exposed to hazards (as defined by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200 and/or AS 18.60.010 to 18.60.105) whether under normal conditions of use, or in a foreseeable emergency.

For laboratory operations refer to 29 CFR 1910.1450 and/or AS 18.60.010 to 18.60.105 Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories (Chemical Hygiene Plan)

Responsibilities:

Program Coordinator

Director, Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management (EHS&RM)

Program Management

Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management

Program coordination

Publications

General training

Program review and updating

Master Inventory, Master MSDS files, Hazardous Materials Procurement Clearance and Labeling of Shipped Containers

UAF Hazardous Materials Supervisor

Department Responsibilities  

Department Head

Department Hazard Communication Program Management

Verification for completeness of Department Hazard List (DHL)

Department Supervisors

Maintain complete alphabetical DHL for the areas their employees will work

Obtain and maintain MSDS for each hazard listed in the DHL

Train affected employees under their supervision

Inform and train employees on Hazards of Unlabeled Pipes

LISTS OF HAZARDS

Each department will make and keep a list of hazardous chemicals, substances and physical agent hazards found in or associated with the workplace(s) in their department. This list will be updated when a new hazard is introduced or removed. Each hazard identified will have a corresponding Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) which will be maintained as part of our Hazard Communication Program. Copies of the inventory list will be forwarded to the Hazardous Materials Supervisor who will maintain the master list and master MSDS file.

This section applies to any chemical and common physical agents (such as cold/heat stress, radiation) that are known to be present in the workplace in such a manner that employees may be exposed under normal conditions of use or in a foreseeable emergency. EHS & RM will audit the Hazard Communication Program and MSDS file (for completeness and accuracy) annually and when there are any changes that affect the program.

Each department shall maintain a Departmental Hazard List and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) and shall ensure that in all cases the required information is provided for each hazardous chemical, and is readily accessible during each work shift to employees when they are in their work area(s).

An inventory format is available on the EHS&RM website, http://www.uaf.edu/safety/chemical_list_shops.xls

HAZARD COMMUNICATION PROGRAM   

The purpose of this program is to inform employees, of the University of Alaska Fairbanks framework to comply with the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations 1910.1200, by compiling a hazardous chemicals list, by using material safety data sheets (MSDSs), by ensuring that containers are labeled, and by providing our employees with training and information required.

This program applies to all work operations in our organization* where employees may be exposed to hazardous substances under normal working conditions or during an emergency situation.

* For laboratory operations refer to 29 CFR 1910.1450 Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories (Chemical Hygiene Plan)

The EHS&RM director is the program coordinator who has overall responsibility for the program. He or his designees will review and update the program, as necessary. Copies of the written program may be obtained from EHS&RM, University Park building room 157.

All employees, or their designated representatives, can obtain further information on this written program, the hazard communication standard, applicable MSDSs, and chemical information lists from EHS&RM. Under this program, our employees will be informed of the contents of the Hazard Communication Standard, the hazardous properties of chemicals with which they work, safe handling procedures, and measures to take to protect themselves from these chemicals. Our employees will also be informed of the hazards associated with non-routine tasks, and the hazards associated with chemicals in unlabeled pipes.

If after reading this program, you find that improvements can be made, please contact EHS&RM. We encourage all suggestions because we are committed to the success of our written hazard communication program. We strive for clear understanding, safe behavior, and involvement in the program from every level of the university.

Hazard Evaluation Procedures

Our chemical inventory is a list of hazardous chemicals known to be present in our workplace. Anyone who comes into contact with the hazardous chemicals on the list needs to know what those chemicals are and how to protect themselves. That is why it is so important that hazardous chemicals are identified, whether they are found in a container or generated in work operations (for example, welding fumes, dusts, and exhaust fumes). The hazardous chemicals on the list can cover a variety of physical forms including liquids, solids, gases, vapors, fumes, and mists. Sometimes hazardous chemicals can be identified using purchase orders. Identification of others requires an actual inventory of the facility. Individual department supervisors and/or Department Safety Coordinator shall complete and mail Chemical Information Lists (CIL) to EHS &RM no later than August 1 of each year. CIL's must be submitted in alphabetical order and shall be verified for completeness by the appropriate department head. 

The Hazardous Materials Supervisor updates the master inventory as necessary.

EHS & RM, Hazardous Materials Supervisor keeps the chemical inventory list used in our facility located in EHS & RM where it is accessible during work hours.

The university does not manufacture any chemicals and, therefore, does not make any hazard determinations.

After the chemical inventory is compiled, it serves as a list of every chemical for which an MSDS must be maintained.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)

The MSDSs we use are fact sheets for chemicals which pose a physical or health hazard in the workplace. MSDSs provide our employees with specific information on the chemicals they use.

The Hazardous Materials Supervisor is responsible for obtaining/maintaining the master MSDSs at our facility. He will contact the chemical manufacturer or vendor if additional research is necessary.

The material safety data sheets are kept at the following location(s) in our facility: Centrally in each department where hazards exist. Employees can obtain access to them by: reviewing the MSDS book in the department where the hazard exists.

If assistance is needed in obtaining MSDSs, please contact EHS&RM, Hazardous Materials Supervisor at 474-5617.

Labels and Other Forms of Warning

Labels list at least the chemical identity, appropriate hazard warnings, and the name and address of the manufacturer, importer or other responsible party. The chemical identity is found on the label, the MSDS, and the chemical inventory. Therefore, the chemical identity links these three sources of information. The chemical identity used by the supplier may be a common or trade name, or a chemical name. The hazard warning is a brief statement of the hazardous effects of the chemical (i.e., "flammable," or "causes lung damage"). Labels frequently contain other information, such as precautionary measures (i.e., "do not use near open flame").

Department supervisors and/or Department Safety Coordinator are responsible for ensuring that all hazardous chemicals in in-house containers are properly labeled and updated, as necessary. Department Supervisors and/or Department Safety Coordinator also ensure that newly purchased materials are checked for labels prior to use.

The labeling system used on in-house and shipped containers is a combination of: Hazardous Materials Information System (HMIS), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Fisher, Mallinckrodt Baker, and Department of Transportation (DOT).

If employees transfer chemicals from a labeled container to a portable container that is intended only for their IMMEDIATE use, no labels are required on the portable container, although it is recommended that all containers be labeled. 

Training

Everyone who works with or is potentially "exposed" to hazardous chemicals will receive initial training and any necessary retraining on the Hazard Communication Standard and the safe use of those hazardous chemicals by Department Supervisors and/or Department Safety Coordinator. "Exposure" means that "an employee is subjected to a hazardous chemical in the course of employment through any route of entry (inhalation, ingestion, skin contact or absorption, etc.) and includes potential (e.g., accidental or possible) exposure." Whenever a new hazard is introduced or an old hazard changes, additional training is provided.

Information and training is a critical part of the hazard communication program. We train our employees to read and understand the information on labels and MSDSs, determine how the information can be obtained and used in their own work areas, and understand the risks of exposure to the chemicals in their work areas as well as the ways to protect themselves.

Our goal is to ensure employee comprehension and understanding including being aware that they are exposed to hazardous chemicals, knowing how to read and use labels and MSDSs, and appropriately following the protective measures we have established. We ask our employees to ask Department Supervisors, Department Safety Coordinator, and/or EHS & RM questions. As part of the assessment of the training program, Department Supervisors, Department Safety Coordinator, and EH& RM asks for input from employees regarding the training they have received, and their suggestions for improving it. In this way, we hope to reduce any incidence of chemical source illnesses and injuries.

All employees exposed to chemical and/or physical hazards in their workplace receive training for hazard communication. Employees working in or around laboratories will receive training under 29 CFR 1910.1450, Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories (Chemical Hygiene Plan)

Training Content

Training content is organized according to chemicals/chemical hazards to which employees are exposed during the course of doing their jobs. Employees are trained on specific hazardous chemicals present in their workplace.  The format of the training program used is audiovisual materials and/or classroom instruction.

The training plan emphasizes these elements:

• Summary of the standard and this written program, including what hazardous chemicals are present, the labeling system used, and access to MSDS information and what it means.
• Chemical and physical properties of hazardous materials (e.g., flash point, reactivity) and methods that can be used to detect the presence or release of chemicals (including chemicals in unlabeled pipes).
• Physical hazards of chemicals (e.g., potential for fire, explosion, etc.).
• Health hazards, including signs and symptoms of exposure, associated with exposure to chemicals and any medical condition known to be aggravated by exposure to the chemical.
• Procedures to protect against hazards (e.g., engineering controls; work practices or methods to assure proper use and handling of chemicals; personal protective equipment required, and its proper use, and maintenance; and procedures for reporting chemical emergencies).

The procedure to train new employees at the time of their initial assignment is: Employees receive general Hazard Communication training and then receive specific training pertaining to the hazards in the work areas they are assigned. We train employees when a new hazard is introduced by orienting the affected employees to the new hazard. Department Supervisors and/or Department Safety Coordinator are responsible for training on new hazards.

Training attendance rosters and quizzes are signed by employees upon completion of their training and are kept by EHS&RM.

Hazards of Non-routine Tasks

When employees are required to perform hazardous non-routine tasks that have the potential to expose workers to hazardous chemicals, Department Supervisors and/or Department Safety Coordinator will inform and train affected employees of these hazards.

Hazards of Unlabeled Pipes

Employees must be informed of the hazards of chemicals contained in unlabeled pipes in their work areas by: Department Supervisors and/or Department Safety Coordinator will inform and train affected employees.

Multi-Employer Facility

When contractors or any other employers' workers (i.e., painters, electricians, or plumbers) will be working at this workplace, EHS&RM will:

• Upon request provide the other employer(s) with MSDSs for any of our chemicals to which their employees may be exposed in the following manner: MSDSs are available in the EHS&RM office and centrally in departments where hazards exist , and
• Relay necessary label and/or emergency precautionary information to the other employer(s) in the following manner: Inform of labeling system used and location of MSDSs.

Contractors are responsible for the availability of MSDSs for the materials that they bring to the job site and upon request must provide EHS&RM with the appropriate hazard information on these substances, including the MSDSs, the labels used and the precautionary measures to be taken in working with these chemicals.

Additional Information

All employees, or their designated representatives, can obtain further information on this written program, the hazard communication standard, applicable MSDSs, and chemical information lists from EHS&RM.

Appendix

We have attached to this plan the lists, samples, or procedures that ensure better understanding of our written program.

LABELING SYSTEM

The University of Alaska Fairbanks uses a combination of Primary Labeling, (maintaining labels provided by the manufactures; suppliers), Hazardous Material Information System (HMIS), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Fisher, Mallinckrodt Baker, and Department of Transportation (DOT) for the approved labeling system. Department Supervisors, Department Safety Coordinators shall make sure all hazardous materials, chemicals, and substances located in the workplace are properly labeled and updated as necessary. At a minimum each label shall contain the following:

1. Identity of Hazardous Chemical(s)
2. Appropriate hazard warnings, or alternatively, words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof, which provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals, and which, in conjunction with the other information immediately available to employees under the hazard communication program, will provide employees with the specific information regarding the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical.
3. Name and address of the chemical manufacture, importer or other responsible party

LABELS

The Hazardous Materials Supervisor is responsible for the labeling system throughout the University of Alaska Fairbanks system. The Departmental Supervisors are responsible for maintaining the labeling system in their departments.

Example HMIS label:

MSDS Relevance

Other symbols, abbreviations, and words that some organizations use in the white Special Hazards section are shown below. These uses are not compliant with NFPA 704, but we present them here in case you see them on an MSDS or container label:

The exact guidelines by which you can place a chemical in one of these categories are available in the NFPA standard.

MSDS SYSTEM

Each Department Supervisor and/or Department Safety Coordinator is responsible for obtaining and maintaining a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each hazard identified in the department. The MSDSs shall be located in a place that is readily accessible to employees when they are in their work places during their work shifts.

Written requests for missing and/or incomplete MSDS shall be submitted to the Hazardous Materials Supervisor. The Hazardous Materials Supervisor shall establish controls for the ordering and receipt of MSDS by keeping copies of each request letter until the MSDS has be received by the requesting department.

A description of the information contained on the MSDS, samples, and request forms are included in this section.

Section I

Section II - Hazardous Ingredients/Identity Information

Section III - Physical/Chemical Characteristics

Section IV - Fire and Explosion Hazard Data

Section V - Reactivity Data

Section VI - Health Hazard Data

Section VII - Precautions for Safe Handling and Use

Section VIII - Control Measures

EMPLOYEE REQUEST
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

DEPARTMENT NAME:________________________________________________________________

EMPLOYEE NAME:___________________________________DATE:__________________________

EMPLOYEE’S POSITION:______________________________WORKPLACE:___________________

SUPERVISOR’S NAME:________________________________TITLE:__________________________

I request a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the following hazards:

1. _____________________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________________________________________
5. _____________________________________________________________________________
6. _____________________________________________________________________________
7. _____________________________________________________________________________
8. _____________________________________________________________________________
9. _____________________________________________________________________________
10. _____________________________________________________________________________

Employee Signature:___________________________________________

MSDS Ordered (date):__________________________________________

Department Supervisor Signature:_________________________________

Note: Send MSDS request to:
Environmental Health, Safety & Risk Management
P.O. Box 758145
Fairbanks, Alaska 99775

SAMPLE MSDS REQUEST

Date

XYZ, Inc.

123 Chemical Drive

Safeway, Alaska 98765

Dear Sir,

We are currently using the following product(s) in our workplace:

X

X

X

However, we do not have a corresponding Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) as required by OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).

OR

The attached Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) appears to be missing the following information:

X

X

X

Please insure that we receive to required MSDS within 15 days so that we may comply with the State of Alaska, OSHA Standards and provide adequate protection for our employees. Also, please consider this request as a standing order for any update information that affects this product(s) in the future.

Thank you for your prompt attention.

Sincerely,

I.M. Riteway
Haz/Com Property Officer

GLOSSARY OF TERMS COMMONLY USED
ON MSDSs AND LABELS

A
Absolute Gravity - Refers to the density or specific gravity of a fluid at standard conditions; for example, with gases, at 760 mm Hg (pressure) and 0 degrees Centigrade (temperature). Also known as absolute density.

ACGIH - American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists: an organization of professional personnel in governmental agencies or educational institutions engaged in occupational safety and health programs. ACGIH develops and publishes recommended occupational exposure limits (see "TLV") for hundreds of chemical substances and physical agents.

Acid - A compound which dissociates in water to form an anion and a hydronium ion. An acid reacts with a base or alkali to form a salt and water. An acid turns litmus paper to red.

Acute Effect - An adverse effect on a human or animal, with symptoms developing rapidly and coming quickly to crisis. Usually occurs following a single exposure to a chemical. Also see "chronic effect."

Acute Toxicity - The adverse (acute) effects resulting from a single dose of, or short exposure to, a substance.

Aerosol - An airborne solid or liquid substance.

Alkali - A compound that has the ability to neutralize an acid to form a salt. A substance that is bitter in a water solution, and somewhat irritating or corrosive to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. This type of substance turns litmus paper to blue. Common strong alkalis are sodium and potassium hydroxide. Also known as "base."

Allergic Reaction - An abnormal physiologic response to a chemical or physical stimuli by a sensitive person. Some dermatitis and asthma-like symptoms result from allergic reactions.

Anesthetic Effect - The temporary loss of feeling induced by certain chemical agents, which reduce the ability to feel pain or other sensations. For example, hydrogen sulfide has an anesthetic effect on the olfactory nerve and thus reduces one's ability to smell the gas.

ANSI - American National Standards Institute. A private, nonprofit organization founded in 1918, it is the coordinator of voluntary standards activities in the United States. ANSI has issued voluntary guidelines for MSDS and labels.

APR - Air purifying respirators. These respirators remove contaminants by passing breathing air through a purifying element. There are two subclasses; (1) particulate APRs which use a mechanical filter element and (2) gas and vapor APRs which utilize chemical sorbents contained in a cartridge or canister.

Asphyxiant - A vapor or gas that can cause unconsciousness or death by suffocation (lack of oxygen). "Simple asphyxiants" are those asphyxiants which are harmful to the body only when they become so concentrated that they reduce oxygen in the air (normally about 21 percent) to dangerous levels (19.5 percent or less). Asphyxiation is one of the principal potential hazards of working in confined spaces. See "chemical asphyxiant."

Aspiration Hazard - The danger of drawing a fluid into the lungs and causing an inflammatory response to occur.

Autoignition Temperature - The lowest temperature at which a flammable gas or vapor-air mixture will spontaneously ignite without spark or flame. Vapors and gases will spontaneously ignite at a lower temperature in oxygen than in air. The autoignition temperature may also be influenced by the presence of catalytic substances.

B
Barrier Cream - See "protective cream."

Base - See "Alkali."

Blasting Agents - DOT (the U.S. Department of Transportation) Hazard Classification applied to those substances which have probability of accidental initiation owing to explosion or probability of transition from deflagration to detonation.

Boiling Point - The temperature at which a liquid changes to a vapor state, at a given pressure; usually expressed in degrees Fahrenheit at sea level pressure (760 mm Hg. or one atmosphere).

C
C, or Ceiling - The maximum allowable human exposure limit for an airborne substance; not to be exceeded, even momentarily. Also see "PEL" and "TLV."

Carbon Monoxide - A chemical asphyxiant: a colorless, practically odorless, flammable, and very toxic gas produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon compounds. Also a by-product of many chemical processes.

Carcinogen - A substance capable of causing or producing cancer.

C.A.S. - Chemical Abstracts Service: an organization operated by the American Chemical Society that indexes information published in "Chemical Abstracts" and provides index guides by which information about particular substances may be located in the Abstracts. C.A.S. Numbers - Identify specific chemicals.

Centigrade - (C) Also Celsius, the temperature scale in which there are 100 degrees between the freezing point (0 degree C) and the boiling point (100 degrees C) of water.

CFR - Code of Federal Regulations; the standards, regulations, and rules promulgated under U.S. law and published in the Federal Register.

Chemical Asphyxiant - Substances that prevent the body from receiving or using an adequate oxygen supply. Carbon monoxide and cyanide are examples.

Chemical Family - A group of compounds with related chemical and physical properties. Example: acetone, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) are three members of the "ketone" family.

Chemical Pneumonitis - Inflammation of the lungs, caused by accumulation of lung liquids following chemical irritation. See "aspiration hazard."

CHEMTREC - Chemical Transportation Emergency Center: a national center established by the Chemical Manufacturers Association (now the American Chemistry Council) to relay emergency information concerning specific chemicals that have been involved in a transportation emergency.

Chronic Effect - An adverse effect on a human or animal in which symptoms develop slowly following repeated, normally low level exposures to a chemical over a long period of time, or recur frequently.

Chronic Toxicity - Adverse (chronic) effects resulting from repeated doses of, or exposures to, a substance over a prolonged period of time.

CNS - Central nervous system, composed of the brain and spinal cord.

CNS Depression - Lowered sensitivity level or loss of sensation in the central nervous system, usually due to exposure to a particular chemical hazard or anesthetic.

CO 2 - Carbon dioxide; a colorless, nonflammable, and relatively nontoxic gas. Is produced by the combustion and decomposition of organic substances and as a by-product of many chemical processes. A simple asphyxiant at high concentrations.

COC - Cleveland Open Cup; a flash-point test method.

Cocarcinogen - Material that potentiates the effect of a carcinogen in the production of cancer. See also "carcinogen."

Coma - A state of deep unconsciousness from which one cannot be aroused, even by powerful stimulation.

Combustible - A substance capable of fueling a fire. Also a term used to classify certain liquids on the basis of their flash points. Also see "flammable."

Combustible Liquid - As defined by the Department of Transportation, it is any liquid having a flash point, as determined by a closed-cup method, equal to or greater than 100 degrees F and below 200 degrees F.

Concentration - The amount of a substance in a stated unit of a mixture or solution. Example: 2 parts per million hydrogen sulfide in air, or a 50 percent caustic solution.

Contaminated - The presence of any extraneous material that may render a substance, a material (such as clothing), or a surface (such as skin) impure.

Corneal/Conjunctival Burns - Burns to the transparent membrane covering the eyeball and lining the eyelids.

Corrosive; Corrosive Material - As defined by the Department of Transportation, a corrosive material is a liquid or solid that causes visible destruction or irreversible alterations in human skin (tissue) at the site of contact; or, in case of leakage from its packaging, a liquid that has a severe corrosion rate on steel.

D
Decomposition - Breakdown of a material or substance (by heat, chemical reaction, electrolysis, decay, or other processes) into simpler substances.

Dehydrating Agent - A substance capable of depleting body fluids or removing moisture from another material.

Dermal - Of or pertaining to the skin.

Dermal Sensitization - An exposure of an agent to skin which results in an immune response. Subsequent exposure will often induce a much stronger (secondary) immune response.

Dermal Toxicity - Adverse toxic effects resulting from skin exposure to a substance.

Dermatitis - Inflammation, irritation, or reddening of the skin.

DOL - U.S. Department of Labor: it includes the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), and other agencies.

DOT - U.S. Department of Transportation: it regulates transportation of chemicals and other hazardous and nonhazardous substances.

DOT Hazard Class - Classification by the U.S. Department of Transportation which describes the type of hazard that may be encountered in an emergency during transport. For example, flammable, combustible, poison.

Dry Chemical - A powdered fire-extinguishing agent specially treated so that it will flow properly. It may be used on fires involving flammable and combustible materials (class B and C fires). It extinguishes fires by stopping the progressive chemical reaction that take place during a fire.

Dusts - Solid particles generated by some mechanical process, such as crushing, grinding, abrasion, or blasting.

E
Effects of Overexposure - Clinical signs and symptoms that may occur or be experienced when one has been overexposed to concentrations of a particular substance above established exposure limits.

Emergency and First-Aid Procedures - This refers to the recommended first-aid procedures, based on the inherent toxicity of the product and the route of exposure to the product.

Erythema - A name applied to redness of the skin that may result from exposure to a substance or product.

Excepted from DOT Regulations - Hazard classification applied to substances that are not included in any of the other Department of Transportation hazard classes.

Explosion Hazard - A hazard that may result from exposure of a substance to heat or flame.

Explosive - Any chemical compound, mixture, or device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion, that is, with instantaneous release of gas and heat (energy). Also, any material having the properties of an explosive.

Explosive (Class A) - Department of Transportation hazard classification for those substances that pose a detonating or otherwise maximum explosion hazard.

Explosive (Class B) - Department of Transportation hazard classification for those substances that function by rapid combustion rather than by detonation. Includes some explosive devices such as special fireworks, flash powders.

Explosive (Class C) - Department of Transportation hazard classification for those types of manufactured articles containing Class A or Class B explosives, or both, as components but in restricted quantities. Minimum hazard.

Explosive Limits - The range of concentration of a flammable gas or vapor (percent by volume in air) in which explosion can occur if an ignition source is present. Also see "flammable limits," "LEL," and "UEL."

Exposure Limit - Limit set to minimize occupational exposure to a hazardous substance. Recommended occupational exposure limits used are American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLVs). Mandatory limits are the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs).

Extinguishing Agents (Methods) - Agent(s) suitable for controlling or putting out a fire, when properly applied.

Eye Protection - Recommended safety glasses, shields, goggles, and other headgear to be used when handling the material - to protect against accidental eye contact.

F
Fahrenheit - (F) The thermometric scale in which, under standard atmospheric pressure, the boiling point of water is 212 degrees above the zero of the scale; the freezing point of water is at 32 degrees above zero of the scale.

Fetal - Of or pertaining to a fetus, the unborn young of a person or animal while still in the uterus.

Fibrosis - A condition marked by the abnormal increase in the amount of fibrous connective tissue in an organ or tissue.

Fire Hazard - A hazard that may result from exposure of the product to heat or flame.

Fire Point - The lowest temperature at which a material can evolve vapors fast enough to support continuous combustion.

First-Degree Burn - A mild burn characterized by pain and reddening of the skin.

Flammable - A material that is easily ignited and burns with extreme rapidity.

Flammable Aerosol - An aerosol that yields a flame projection for more than 18" at full valve opening, or a flash back (a flame extending back to the valve) at any degree of valve opening.

Flammable Gas - A DOT hazard classification applied to a compressed gas meeting the requirements of the lower flammability limit, flammability range limit, flame projection, or flame propagation criteria.

Flammable Limits - The range of a vapor or gas concentration in air that will burn or explode if an ignition source is present. See also "explosive limits."

Flammable Liquid - As defined by the Department of Transportation, it is any liquid with a flash point, as determined by a closed cup method, below 100 degrees F (38 degrees C) and a vapor pressure not exceeding 40 psi absolute at 100 degrees F (3kg/sq cm absolute at 38 degrees C).

Flammable Solid - DOT hazard classification applied to any solid material, other than an explosive, that is liable to cause fire through friction, or retained heat from manufacturing or processing. Any solid that can readily be ignited and, when ignited, can burn so vigorously and persistently as to create a serious transportation hazard.

Flash Point - The minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off sufficient vapor to form, with air, an ignitable mixture.

Fumes - Fumes are formed by processing, such as combustion, sublimation, or condensation. The term is generally applied to the metal oxides of such metals as zinc, magnesium, or lead.

G
Gas - Normally formless fluids that occupy the space of their enclosure and that can be changed to the liquid or solid state only by the combined effect of increased pressure and decreased temperature.

General Exhaust - Removal of contaminated air from a large area by use of an air-circulation or exchange system. See also "local exhaust."

H
Hazardous Material - Any substance or mixture of substances having properties capable of producing adverse effects on the health or safety of a human being.

Hazardous Reaction/Decomposition - An indication of the relative hazards of the by-products, including the generation of heat or explosion, that may result from a chemical change of the product.

Highly Toxic - A chemical that:

• has a median lethal dose (LD 50) of 50 milligrams or less per kilogram of body weight.
• has an LD 50 of 200 milligrams per kilogram of body weight when administered by continuous contact for 24 hours.
• has a median lethal concentration (LC 50) in air of 200 ppm by volume of gas or vapor, or 2 milligrams per liter or less of mists, fumes or dust, administered by continuous inhalation for one hour.

I
Ignitable - A solid, liquid, or compressed gas that exhibits a "characteristic of ignitability," as defined by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and may be regulated (by the Environmental Protection Agency) as a hazardous waste.

Ignition Source - Anything that provides heat, spark, or flame sufficient to cause combustion or explosion.

Incendiary Spark - A small, hot glowing particle of a substance thrown out by a body in combustion, or remaining when combustion is nearly complete. This particle is capable of igniting other combustible or flammable materials, gases, vapors, or dusts.

Incompatible - Materials that could cause dangerous reactions from direct contact with one another are described as incompatible.

Ingestion - Taking a substance into the body (stomach) through the mouth; swallowing.

Inhalation - Drawing a substance into the body (lungs) through the nose, mouth, and breathing passages, in the form of a gas, vapor, fume, mist, or dust.

Irritant - A substance that will cause an inflammatory response or reaction of the eye, skin, or respiratory system, following single or multiple exposures.

Irritating Material - As defined by the Department of Transportation, is a liquid or solid substance which upon contact with fire or when exposed to air, gives off dangerous or intensely irritating fumes (not including poisonous material). (See Poison, Class A and Poison, Class B.)

L
LC 50 - Lethal Concentration 50; the concentration of a material in air, which, on the basis of laboratory tests, is expected to kill 50% of a group of test animals when administered as a single exposure (usually of 1 or 4 hours' duration).

LD 50 - Lethal Dose 50; a single dose of material which, on the basis of laboratory tests, is expected to kill 50% of a group of test animals. The material may be administered by mouth (oral) or applied to the skin (dermal or cutaneous).

LEL or LFL - Lower Explosive Limit or Lower Flammable Limit of a flammable vapor or gas in air (usually expressed in percent by volume) below which propagation of a flame will not occur in the presence of an ignition source. Also see "UEL."

Local Exhaust - A system for capturing and removing airborne contaminants (gases, particulates) at the point at which they are released. Not to be confused with general exhaust.

M
mg/kg - Milligrams per kilogram. An expression of toxicological dose. See "g/kg."

mg/m 3 - Milligrams per cubic meter of air; a unit for measuring concentrations of particulates in the air (a weight per unit volume).

Mist - Suspended liquid droplets in the air generated by condensation from the gaseous to the liquid state, or by breaking up a liquid into a dispersed state by splashing, foaming, or atomizing.

Mixture - A combination of two or more substances that may be separated by mechanical means. The components may not be uniformly dispersed. Also see "solution."

Mucous Membrane - Mucous-secreting membrane lining the hollow organs of the body, for example, the nose, mouth, stomach, intestines, bronchial tubes, and urinary tract.

Mutagen - A substance or agent capable of altering the genetic material of a living cell.

N
Nasal Cavity - Either of the pair of cavities in the nose separated by a septum, the thin wall between the two halves of the nose.

Neutralize - To render chemically neutral or harmless; neither acid nor base; to counteract the activity or effect of. The addition of a base (sodium hydroxide) to an acid hydrochloric acid) results in water and a salt (sodium chloride); thus the acid has been "neutralized" or rendered harmless.

NFPA - National Fire Protection Association. Founded in 1896, it is an independent, voluntary membership, nonprofit organization dedicated to the safeguarding of people and their environment from destructive fire using scientific and engineering techniques and education.

NIOSH - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS); a Federal agency which, in addition to other activities, tests and certifies respiratory protective devices and air sampling detector tubes, recommends occupational exposure limits for various substances, and assists OSHA in occupational safety and health investigations and research.

Noncombustible - A material that will not ignite, burn, support combustion, or release flammable vapors when subjected to heat or fire.

Non-Flammable Gas - DOT hazard classification applied to any compressed gas other than a flammable compressed gas.

O
Odor - Odor is described in comparison to common, familiar "smells." Odor threshold refers to the concentration required in the air before vapors are detected or recognized.

Oil-Impervious Garments - Clothing that does not allow the entrance or passage of oil to the skin, as with oil-impervious (protective) gloves.

Oil Mist - Oil, in the form of fine particles, formed by atomization floating or falling in the atmosphere; a fine spray of oil particles suspended in the air.

Olfactory - Relating to the sense of smell. The olfactory region of the nasal mucosa is the area that detects odors and transmits information to the brain via the olfactory nerves.

Oral LD 50 - Oral Lethal Dose 50; the concentration of a substance administered by mouth that will produce death in 50 percent of the animals tested.

Oral Toxicity - Adverse effects that result from taking a substance into the body via the mouth.

Organic Peroxide - A Department of Transportation hazard classification applied to an organic compound containing the bivalent -00- structure and that may be considered a derivative of H2O2 in which one of more of the hydrogen atoms have been replaced by organic radicals.

ORM-A - A Department of Transportation hazard classification applied to a material which has an anesthetic, irritating, noxious, toxic, or other similar property and which can cause extreme annoyance or discomfort to passengers and crew in the event of leakage during transportation.

ORM-B - A Department of Transportation hazard classification applied to a material (including a solid when wet with water) capable of causing significant damage to a transport vehicle or vessel by leaking during transportation.

ORM-C - A Department of Transportation hazard classification applied to a material that has other inherent characteristics not described as an ORM-A or ORM-B, but that make it unsuitable for shipment unless properly identified and prepared for transportation.

ORM-D - A Department of Transportation hazard classification applied to a material such as a consumer commodity which, though otherwise subject to the regulations of the DOT hazard classification system, presents a limited hazard during transportation due to its form, quantity, and packaging.

ORM-E - DOT hazard classification applied to a material which is not included in any other hazard class but which is subject to the requirements of the DOT regulations. Materials in this class include "Hazardous Waste" and other hazardous materials.

OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor; a Federal agency with safety and health regulatory and enforcement authority for most U.S. industries and businesses.

Oxidizer - Department of Transportation defines an oxidizer or oxidizing materials as a substance that yields oxygen readily to stimulate the combustion (oxidation) of organic matter. Chlorate (ClO3) permanganate (MnO4), and nitrate (NO3) compounds are examples of oxidizers.

OXY - NFPA special hazard rating for oxidizer.

P
Particulate - Airborne solids or liquids. Dusts, fumes, smokes, mists, and fogs are all examples of particulates.

PEL - Permissible Exposure Limit: an exposure limit established by OSHA's regulatory authority. May be a time weighted average (TWA) limit or a ceiling concentration exposure limit.

Photosensitization (contact) - After exposure to some chemical substance(s), the skin, upon exposure to light, may swell or exhibit dermatitis.

PMCC - Pensky Martens Closed Cup; a flash-point test method.

Pneumonitis - Inflammation of the lungs, which may be caused by inhalation of chemical irritants.

Poison, Class A - A Department of Transportation term for extremely dangerous poisons; that is, poisonous gases or liquids of such nature that a very small amount of the gas, or vapor of the liquid, mixed with air, is dangerous to life. Some examples: phosgene, cyanogen, hydrocyanic acid, nitrogen peroxide.

Poison, Class B - A Department of Transportation term for liquid, solid, paste, or semisolid substances-other than Class A poisons or irritating materials-that are known (or presumed, on the basis of animal tests) to be so toxic to man as to afford a hazard to health during transportation.

ppb - Parts per billion: a unit for measuring the concentration of a gas or vapor in air; parts (by volume) of the gas or vapor in a billion parts of air. Usually used to express measurements of extremely low concentrations of unusually toxic gases or vapors. Also used to indicate the concentration of a particular substance or solution.

ppm - Parts per million: a unit for measuring the concentration of a gas or vapor in contaminated air. Also used to indicate the concentration of a particular substance in a liquid or solid.

Precautionary Statements - Statements warning product users of potentially harmful hazards that may be attributed to the product, even though a complete toxicological evaluation of the product has not been performed.

Product/Material - Name of the product or material; usually found at the beginning of the MSDS.

Protective Cream - A protective skin cream provides an invisible flexible protection for the hands from soils, solvents, dusts, powders, oils, greases, paints, epoxies, resins, inks, and irritants. It can be easily removed by washing with any cleansing product.

Protective Garment - Specially manufactured clothing designed to provide protection to the wearer against contamination from chemical, biological, radiation, or physical hazards.

Pulmonary Edema - The abnormal accumulation of fluid in the tissues and air spaces of the lungs.

R
RAD - NFPA special hazard rating for radiation.

Radioactive - The property of an isotope of an element that is characterized by giving off radiant energy in particles or rays by the disintegration of atomic nuclei.

Radioactive Material - DOT hazard classification applied to any material or combination of materials that spontaneously emit ionizing radiation having a specific activity greater than 0.002 microcuries/g.

Radioactivity - Emission of energy in the form of alpha, beta, or gamma radiation from the nucleus of an atom. Always involves change of one atom into a different kind. A few elements, such as radium, are naturally radioactive. Other radioactive forms are artificially induced.

Reaction - A chemical transformation or change; the interaction of two or more substances to form new substances.

Reactivity - The tendency of a substance to undergo a chemical change with the release of energy. Reactive chemicals are liable to cause fire or promote an explosion. Undesirable effects (pressure buildup, temperature increase, formation of noxious, toxic, or corrosive by-products) may occur because of a reaction to heating, burning, direct contact with other materials, or other conditions when in use or in storage.

Reducing Agent - In an oxidation-reduction reaction, the reducing agent is the material that is oxidized or is responsible for the reduction. Reduction occurs when an atom undergoes a decrease in oxidation number.

Reproductive Toxicity Data - Information obtained through reproduction tests, which may be carried through several generations of test animals. This testing attempts to assess the changes in reproductive functions of parental animals including the fertility, the incidence of birth defects, and changes in the reproductive system as a result of parental exposure to a substance.

Respiratory Protection - Devices for use in conditions exceeding the permissible exposure limits, which, when properly selected, maintained, operated, and worn by the user, will protect the user's respiratory system from exposure to airborne contaminants by inhalation.

Respiratory System - The breathing system; includes the lungs and the air passages (trachea or windpipe, larynx, mouth, and nose) to the air supply outside the body, plus the associated nervous and circulatory systems.

RTECS - Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances; a compendium of toxicity data extracted from scientific literature. Inclusion of data in the registry does not mean endorsement of the reference. Evaluation of cited references is the responsibility of the reader.

S
SCBA - Self Contained Breathing Apparatus provides a substitute source of clean breathing air from a separate tank carried on the person.

Second-Degree Burn - A burn that is more severe than a first-degree burn and is often characterized by blistering, reddening of the skin, edema (swelling), and destruction of the superficial tissue.

Sensitizer - A substance which, on first exposure, causes little or no reaction in man or test animals but which, on subsequent exposure(s), may cause a marked response not necessarily limited to the contact site. Skin sensitization is the most common form of the problem in the industrial setting, although respiratory sensitization to a few chemicals has been known to occur. Poison ivy is a common sensitizer outside the work setting.

Simple Asphyxiant - A substance that causes a deficiency in the supply of oxygen to the tissue by excluding oxygen from the inhaled atmosphere. Nitrogen, propane, and acetylene are examples.

Skin Lesion - An abnormal change in the structure of the skin due to injury or disease.

Skin Protection - Refers to the recommended type of gloves, protective creams, and outerwear to be worn when handling the product.

SOx - Oxides of sulfur; undesirable air pollutants. SOx emissions are regulated by EPA under the Clean Air Act.

Specific Gravity - The ratio of the weight of a volume of material to the weight of an equal volume of water, usually at 60 degrees F, unless otherwise specified

Spill and Leak Procedure - Procedures, precautions, and methods used in the cleanup of a substance.

Stability - An expression of the ability of a material to remain unchanged. A material is stable if it remains in the same form under expected and reasonable conditions of storage and use. Conditions that may cause instability are stated on the MSDS.

Static Electricity - If two objects are in close physical contact and then separated, the objects sometimes collect an electrical charge through friction or induction. Similar electrical charges can be generated by rapid flow of gases or liquids. If the objects are not bonded or grounded, they may accumulate sufficient electrical charges so that an electrostatic discharge (spark) between them may occur.

STEL - Short Term Exposure Limit; American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists' terminology. See "TLV-STEL."

Subchronic Toxicity Data - Data resulting from "subchronic toxicological tests," in which the substance being tested is administered to animals on a daily basis, for test periods generally ranging from 2 to 13 weeks.

Systemic Toxicity - The adverse effects caused by a substance that affects the body in a general rather than a local manner.

T
Target Organ Effect - Damage caused in a specific organ following exposure to certain chemicals. For example, a "neurotoxin" is a chemical, such as mercury, that products its primary toxic effect on the nervous system.

TCC - Tag (Tagliabue) Closed Cup - a flash-point test method.

Teratogen - A substance which, upon exposure of the parent, causes "teratogenic changes," that is, malformations or alterations in the appearance or function of the fetus.

Third-Degree Burn - The most serious type of burn, characterized by charring (blackening) of the skin and by skin necrosis (tissue death).

TLV - Threshold Limit Value: a term used by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) to express the airborne concentration of a material to which nearly all persons can be exposed day after day, for a normal 8-hour workday or 40-hour work-week, without adverse effects.

TLV-C - Threshold Limit Value - Ceiling Exposure Limit: the concentration that should not be exceeded, even momentarily.

TLV-STEL - Threshold Limit Value - Short-Term Exposure Limit; maximum concentration for a continuous 15-minute period (maximum of four such periods per day, with at least 60 minutes between exposure periods), provided that the daily TLV (time weighted average) is not exceeded.

TOC - Tag (Tagliabue) Open Cup; a flash-point test method.

Toxic - Describes a substance that:

• has an LD 50 of more than 50 milligrams per kilogram but not more than 500 milligrams per kilogram of body weight when administered orally to albino rats.
• has an LD 50 of more than 200 milligrams per kilogram but not more than 1,000 milligrams per kilogram of body weight when administered by continuous contact for 24 hours with the bare skin of albino rabbits.
• has an LC 50 in air of more than 200 ppm but not more than 2,000 ppm by volume of gas or vapor when administered by continuous inhalation for one hour to albino rats.

Toxicity - Basic biological property of a material reflecting its inherent capacity to produce injury; adverse effects resulting from overexposure to a material, generally via the mouth, skin, eyes, or respiratory tract.

Toxicology - The study of the harmful effects of chemicals on biological systems.

Toxicology Data - This section of the MSDS contains toxicological data such as oral, dermal, inhalation toxicity; eye, skin irritation; dermal sensitization; and environmental, reproductive, genetic, chronic, subchronic, and other toxicity data.

TWA - Time Weighted Average exposure; the airborne concentration of a material to which a person is exposed, averaged over the total exposure time, generally the total workday (8 to 12 hours). It is calculated by multiplying measured concentration levels times the duration of exposure (in hours), adding these values together, then dividing by the total sampled time (in hours). Also see "TLV" and "PEL."

U
UN/NA Number - Numerical designation for transportation hazards:
      UN = United Nations; NA = North America.

Unstable - Tending toward decomposition or other unwanted chemical change during normal handling or storage.

UEL or UFL - Upper Explosive Limit or Upper Flammable Limit - The highest concentration of a flammable vapor or gas in air (usually expressed in percent by volume) above which propagation of a flame will not occur in the presence of an ignition source. Also see "LEL."

V
Vapor Density - Relative density or weight of a vapor or gas compared to weight of an equal volume of air. Materials lighter than air, such as acetylene, have vapor densities less than 1.0. Materials heavier than air, such as propane, will have densities greater than 1.0.

Vapor Pressure - The pressure exerted by a saturated vapor above its own liquid in a closed container.

Ventilation - See "general exhaust," "local exhaust," and "mechanical exhaust." As used in the context of the MSDS, this refers to recommended air flow schemes to control airborne concentrations of hazardous substances in the atmosphere.

Volatility - The tendency or ability of a liquid to vaporize. Liquids such as alcohol and gasoline, because of their tendency to evaporate rapidly, are called volatile liquids.

W
Waste Disposal Methods - Methods to be used in disposal of this product and/or materials used in the cleanup of this product as recommended by local, state, and Federal authorities.

Waterless Skin Cleanser - A commercially available paste or liquid used for the removal of hydrocarbon-based substances, dirt, and contamination from the skin without the use of solvents. It is generally recommended that, after using a waterless skin cleanser, the worker wash the contaminated skin area a second time using ordinary bath soap.

TRAINING

Overview

The Hazard Communication Standard requires employers provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new physical or health hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area.

Responsibilities

The following departments will be responsible for:

Initial Employee Training – Departmental Supervisor and/or Department Safety Coordinator
New Hazard Training – Departmental Supervisor and/or Department Safety Coordinator
New Employee Training - EHS RM Department
Departmental Training - Departmental Supervisor and/or Department Safety Coordinator

The following material is provided as a supervisor's training guide which outlines specific subjects to be covered. It is not intended to be a substitute for actual employee training.

Training Requirements

Information and Training will consist of:

• Any operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals are present.
  
• The location and availability of the written hazard communication program, including the required list(s) of hazardous chemicals, and material safety data sheets.
  
• Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the work area (such as monitoring conducted by the employer, continuous monitoring devices, visual appearance or odor of hazardous chemicals when being released, etc.).
  
• The physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the work area.
  
• The measures employees can take to protect themselves from these hazards, including specific procedures the employer has implemented to protect employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals, such as appropriate work practices, emergency procedures, and personal protective equipment to be used.
  
• The details of the hazard communication program developed by the employer, including an explanation of the labeling system and the material safety data sheet, and how employees can obtain, and use the appropriate hazard information.
  
• Training records that include documentation of attendance and completed knowledge quiz of 100% accuracy. Any missed knowledge quiz questions will be discussed and explained so that employee can demonstrate 100% accuracy.

Hazard Communication Quiz (click here for online quiz)

1. Labels do not provide
   1. Warnings of potential dangers.
   2. All the information about the chemical.
   3. Immediate warnings.
   4. Name and address of the chemical manufacturer
2. You are to be instructed on the health hazards for the hazards in your work area.
   1. True
   2. False
3. Employees must know how to obtain, and the location of:
   1. Material Safety Data Sheets.
   2. Lists of hazardous chemicals and other physical hazards in the workplace.
   3. The written hazard communications program.
   4. All of the above
4. Which of the following is not required in the Hazard Communications Program?
   1. A list of hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
   2. Labeling system information.
   3. Informing employees of all chemical hazards on campus.
   4. Methods to inform contractors of hazards.
5. Radio waves are a physical hazard that may be present in the workplace.
   1. True
   2. False
6. UAF uses which labeling system?
   1. Primary labeling found on chemical containers.
   2. Hazardous Material Information System.
   3. Department of Transportation.
   4. All of the above.
7. The primary source for detailed information about a chemical is found
   1. On the label of the container the chemical is stored in.
   2. In the Environmental Health and Safety office.
   3. On the MSDS for the chemical.
   4. Online at the manufacturers website.
8. Material Safety Data Sheets must be
   1. Located anywhere in the department.
   2. Made available at a central location on campus.
   3. Provided with every shipment from the manufacturer.
   4. Made readily available to employees at all times in their work areas.
9. What is the Glossary of Terms used for?
   1. Locate information about the chemical identity.
   2. To help interpret the MSDS.
   3. Explaining where to find further information about the chemical.
   4. Explain how the Hazard Communication Program at UAF works.
10. Chemicals and/or other physical hazards may enter the body through
    1. Inhalation and ingestion
    2. Skin absorption
    3. Injection
    4. a and b only
    5. a, b and c
       

OSHA

APPENDIX A