Purpose and Scope
To establish a Physical Facilities Department Right-To-Know/Hazard Communication Program to transmit information on the hazards of chemicals to all employees by means of labels on containers, safety data sheets, and training programs.
Policy
The Physical Facilities Department of Miami University is firmly committed to provide each employee a safe and healthy work environment. To meet this commitment, the following mandatory Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been established by PFD in accordance with the requirements of Ohio’s Public Employment Risk Reduction Program (PERRP).
Procedure
Right-To-Know/Hazard Communication Program
AVAILABILITY
In addition to this SOP, a written Right-To-Know/Hazard Communication Program is available to all employees, supervisors, managers, University administration, local emergency organizations, and Ohio’s PERRP Compliance Officers, upon request.
LABELING STATEMENT POLICY
1. A hazardous chemical is any chemical that poses a physical or health hazard in the workplace. Any incoming chemical-containing product must be labeled to reveal the following information:
• Name of the hazardous chemical(s).
• Manufacturer name, address, and phone number.
• Indicate the hazard with an appropriate warning, e.g., flammable, corrosive, toxic.
• Listing of possible physical and health hazards.
• Appropriate recommendations for proper safety precautions.
2. All supervisors will verify that the above requirements are in place. Distributors and suppliers will provide updated labels for all containers that do not meet specified standards.
NOTE: No label is to be defaced or removed. All generic containers must be appropriately labeled, per the product’s Safety Data Sheet.
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) containing the information required by the Hazard Communication Standard will be kept on file for each chemical-containing product used by PFD. A complete set of SDS information will be kept on file in the Cole Service Building. A "master library" of all SDS sheets will be maintained by the Environmental Health & Safety Offices.
The SDS will be the most current one supplied by the chemical manufacturer, importer, or distributor. The procedures for maintaining the Cole Service Building copy and the EHSO “master library” are as follows:
- Upon receipt of an SDS, print “PFD” and your shop’s name in the top right hand corner of the SDS. Deliver the SDS to the PFD Facilities Safety Coordinator
- A temporary copy will be placed in the CSB library and the original forwarded to EHSO
- EHSO will copy and enter the SDS into the computer database, placing the original from the shop/work area into the “Master SDS Library”.
- A copy of each SDS will then be delivered back to the Facilities Safety Coordinator. This copy will then be placed into the CSB SDS file.
- Annually thereafter, supervisors will be tasked with conducting a physical inventory to ensure that new chemicals have a corresponding SDS on file in the appropriate library. This inventory will be conducted during the month of December.
It is the responsibility of each supervisor to ensure that SDS sheets are available in the CSB SDS file for all chemicals used or created in the workplace. Employees shall be made aware of the location of the Cole Service Building SDS library.
No hazardous material will be introduced for use in a PFD workplace by vendors or sales representatives without first submitting a SDS and receiving prior approval from the Facilities Safety Coordinator.
EMPLOYEE TRAINING AND INFORMATION
1. All employees, (including new, temporary, transferred, part-time, and students), working with or potentially exposed to chemical-containing products will be trained regarding the potential hazards to which they may be exposed. Employees shall be required to attend the "Basic Right-To-Know Training" conducted by the Facilities Safety Coordinator. This training will include the following information:
- Chemicals and their hazards in the work place.
- Prevention of exposure to hazardous chemicals.
- The employer's and employee's responsibility to lessen or prevent exposure to chemical-containing products.
- Procedures to follow when exposed to chemical-containing products.
2. Employees who handle and routinely work with chemical-containing products shall receive specialized training that includes:
- Specific chemical hazard information, including review of specific SDS.
- Work area organization.
- Specific chemical handling instructions.
- Specific chemical emergency procedures. This may include personal protective equipment, spill clean-up and disposal.
3. Staff Development, or a designee, shall maintain records of all employees who have received the above training.
4. In order to keep employees well informed, monthly safety meetings shall be conducted by each supervisor or their representative. Attendance is mandatory. These safety meetings shall be used to introduce new products or chemicals of a hazardous nature into the work place. All employees will be fully trained in the same manner indicated above.
Revision History