Hazard Communication Safety Data Sheets
The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires chemical manufacturers, distributors, or importers to provide Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for each hazardous chemical. These SDSs must be in a uniform format, including specific section numbers, headings, and associated information.
The required SDS sections are:
Identification: product identifier, manufacturer/distributor contact, emergency phone number, recommended and restricted uses.
Hazard(s) identification: all hazards regarding the chemical's intrinsic properties, including physical form changes and reaction products.
Composition/information on ingredients: chemical names, CAS numbers, and concentration ranges.
First-aid measures: important symptoms/effects and required treatment.
Fire-fighting measures: suitable extinguishing techniques and chemical hazards.
Accidental release measures: emergency procedures, protective equipment, and containment/cleanup methods.
Handling and storage: precautions and incompatibilities.
Exposure controls/personal protection: exposure limits, engineering controls, and PPE.
Physical and chemical properties: characteristics like particle size.
Stability and reactivity: chemical stability and possibility of hazardous reactions.
Toxicological information: exposure routes, symptoms, toxicity measures, and interactive effects.
Ecological information, disposal considerations, transport information, regulatory information, and date of preparation.
Employers must ensure these comprehensive SDSs are readily accessible to employees.
Employers must ensure these comprehensive SDSs are readily accessible to employees.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that was widely used in building materials and vehicle products due to its strength, heat resistance, and ability to resist corrosion. However, the dangerous health effects of asbestos exposure were not discovered until later. Individual asbestos fibers are invisible to the naked eye, putting workers at increased risk. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has regulations in place to protect workers from the hazards of asbestos.
Asbestos fibers can be released into the air during activities that disturb asbestos-containing materials. These airborne fibers can then be inhaled unknowingly and become trapped in the lungs. Swallowing asbestos fibers can also lead to them becoming embedded in the digestive tract. Asbestos is a known human carcinogen and can cause chronic lung disease as well as lung and other cancers. Symptoms and/or cancer may take many years to develop following asbestos exposure.
The hazard of asbestos exposure can occur in various situations, including during the manufacturing of asbestos-containing products, performing brake or clutch repairs, renovating or demolishing buildings or ships, cleaning up after those activities, contact with deteriorating asbestos-containing materials, and during cleanup after natural disasters.
Lead
Lead is a common ingredient in many industrial products, including lead-based paints, solder, electrical fittings, plumbing fixtures, and metal alloys. While many uses of lead have been banned, it continues to be used on bridges, railways, ships, and other steel structures due to its rust- and corrosion-inhibiting properties. Additionally, many older homes were painted with lead-containing paints. Significant lead exposures can also occur during the removal of lead-based paint, such as through demolition, flame-torch cutting, welding, use of heat guns, sanding, scraping, or abrasive blasting.
Information provided by OSHA
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We have on-staff instructors certified to train on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Fall Protection, Lockout/Tagout, Confined Space Entry Awareness, Bloodborne Pathogens, Electrical Safety, Heat Stress, Asbestos Awareness, Ergonomics/Back Safety, Overhead Crane, Forklift Training, Heavy Equipment, Ariel Lift/Scissor Lift, First Aid/CPR/AED, SPCC Training, 3 Year DOT Basic Hazmat, Respirator Fit, 40 Hour/24 Hour/8 Hour Hazwoper, RCRA.
