Material safety data sheets and required documentation components

Components of the Hazard Communication Standard Can Be Used to Identify Occupational Health Hazards Associated With Chemicals.

Uniform conditions have been stipulated by the HCS (Hazard Communication Standard) for ensuring evaluation of hazards associated with every chemical that comes into, is manufactured by, or utilized in workplaces in the United States, as well as ensuring communication of hazard information to exposed workers and concerned organizations (OSHA, 1998). Hazard communication quality hinges on workplace hazard evaluation's accurateness and adequacy. It is mandatory for chemical importers and makers to study the scientific facts and evidence available with regard to the hazards associated with chemicals they bring into the country or manufacture in their own plants. They must also report whatever facts they have discovered to their workforce and to companies distributing or utilizing their products. A downstream firm will be able to depend on assessments conducted by chemical importers or producers for establishing the chemicals' hazard details. Chemical importers, producers and all companies electing to assess hazards are accountable for their hazard identification process quality. All chemicals have to be tested for any potential adverse impacts on health, and risks of physical harm (e.g., flammability) to people, property and the environment (OSHA, 1998).

Describe how you can use the components of the hazard communication standard to formulate a plan to control occupational health hazards associated with chemicals in workplaces.

Having a plan in writing, which describes how a particular manufacturing unit will execute the HCS, is mandatory for every workplace that exposes workers to dangerous chemicals. Plan preparation is no mere paper exercise. Whatever has been formulated should be put into practice for complying with the law. It is not necessary to have a complex or detailed plan. The intent is only to have a blueprint that aids program implementation -- a guarantee that every facet required has been covered. For instance, the written blueprint needs to have a list of chemicals currently on site, indicating their availability and safety materials' availability to workers. Another aspect the plan can cover is who is in charge of the program's many aspects, in one's workplace (OSHA, 2000).

When an OSHA inspector visits a facility for checking HCS compliance, he/she will first request for a look at this written plan. Generally, the items listed below are to be taken into consideration in the program evaluation process: the documented program has to explain how the plant will fulfill requirements for warnings (including labels), personnel training and information, and MSDS (materials safety datasheet). The next section will detail the kind of information sought by compliance officers when deciding whether or not hazard communication elements have been adequately addressed (OSHA, 2000).

Describe the sections contained in a material safety data sheet and explain the relevance of this information.

An MSDS presents basic facts regarding a chemical product or material. It details the material's properties and possible hazards, safe use instructions, and what must be done during an emergency. This document aims at helping Canadian workers understand and interpret such scientific information. MSDSs form a crucial basis for developing a comprehensive safety and health program for a given material. They are compiled by the material's supplier or producer (CCOHS, n.d.).

MSDSs are typically generally written, and present summarized information that attempts to cover all the reasonably expected uses of a given chemical or material. These documents separate the information into systematic sections. The sections' content and names may differ from supplier to supplier. However, they are normally identical to the sixteen sections established by ANSI's (American National Standards Institute) MSDS preparation Standard. If a firm is employing an MSDS with nine sections, different kinds of information may be differently ordered, and may bear somewhat different section headings (CCOHS, n.d.).

Find a SDS (Safety Data Sheet) (formerly MSDS) for a chemical in your workplace or a chemical that you may use or be exposed to personally (e.g. gasoline, bleach, etc.). Include a copy of the FDS in this assignment.

Bibliography

CCOHS. (n.d.). Understanding a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). Retrieved from Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety: https://www.ccohs.ca/products/Supplements/MSDS_FTSS/msds_understand.html#tphp

OSHA. (1998). Chemical Hazard Communication U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Retrieved from United States Department of Labour: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3084.html

OSHA. (2000). Hazard Communication Guidelines for Compliance. Retrieved from U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3111.html