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Report
This report is an archived publication and may contain dated technical, contact, and link information
Publication Number: FHWA-RD-98-179

Bridge Lead Removal and General Site Safety

Hazard Communication Regulations

 

Table of Contents

 

Making the Program Work

The contractor must provide you with specific information and training about hazardous chemicals in your work area. You must use the information and training to recognize the chemical hazards in your work area and take steps to prevent exposure to those hazards.

OSHA has implemented regulations for the construction industry titled the Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR Part 1926.59. These regulations require that manufacturers of hazardous chemicals inform your employer about the hazards associated with those chemicals. Then your employer must inform you about the hazards if you use these chemicals or if you come into contact with them during your job.

Hazard Determination

The hazard communication standard requires chemical manufacturers, importers, and employers to determine if the chemicals or substances they produce, import, or use in the workplace are hazardous. In most cases, hazard determinations are done by the manufacturer of the chemical before being used in the workplace. If a substance is hazardous, it will fall under the scope of this standard.

Written Hazard Communication Program

Under the standard, employers must develop, implement, and maintain a written Hazard Communication Program. This written program must be available at the workplace. A company's written program must provide information about the types of hazardous chemical that are on site. That information is provided through a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). It is very important that each worker is able to read and understand what is in an MSDS, and it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that each worker knows how to read and understand the information contained in an MSDS. The MSDS must be available for each worker to look at.

The following is a brief description on how to read and understand the information contained in an MSDS.

1) Product Identity/Manufacturer's Information

Name of the product, manufacturer's name, address and phone number, and date of product preparation (important because chemicals may change over time).

Why is this information important? Thousands of chemicals are produced each year, and any mistake on the manufacturer's part needs to be caught very quickly. The best way to do that is to call them directly.

2) Hazardous Ingredients/Identity Information

Hazardous Components: The chemical names of any hazardous ingredients and their concentrations.

3) Exposure Limits

PELs (Permissible Exposure Limits) are the legal limits established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

TLVs (Threshold Limit Values) are more recent recommendations established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). These are usually updated more quickly than PELs and in most cases are more protective than the PELS.

Why is this information important? Some exposures to chemicals are unavoidable and may not cause any adverse health effects, but it is very important that all workers know at what level serious health effects can be expected and at what level exposures cannot be exceed by law.

4) Physical and Chemical Characteristics

Boiling point: As a rule, the lower the boiling point of a liquid, the more quickly it will evaporate and put vapors into the air.

Vapor pressure: Chemicals that have a high vapor pressure will evaporate easier, again releasing vapors into the air.

Vapor density: This lets you know where the vapor will settle. If a product has a vapor density of less than 1, its vapors will rise--lighter than air. If the vapor density is greater than 1--heavier than air-those vapors will fall.

Why is this information important? All workers must know what to expect from the chemicals they are working with. For example, if you are working with a chemical called butanol, you need to be aware that its vapor density is 2.5. This means that it is 2.5 times heavier than air and will collect at the floor of the work area.

5) Fire and Explosion Hazard Information

Flash Point gives information on when it may catch fire. A chemical with a flash point below 100 degrees Fahrenheit can catch fire from a spark from a cigarette.

Flammable or Explosive Limits are the upper and lower (UEL and LEL) concentration limits. Vapor concentrations between these two numbers can catch fire or explode.

Special Fire-Fighting Procedures give important information. In some cases, water can't be used to put out chemical fires. Some chemicals also can release toxic fumes when they burn.

Why is this information important? The dangers associated with fires come not just from the flames, but from the toxic chemicals that are released into the air.

6) Reactivity Data

This section tells whether heat, cold, pressure, or contact with other chemicals could cause the product to explode or release toxic substances.

Why is this information important? You need to know what chemicals can never be put together or stored together. For example, some chemicals react with metals and in those cases you would never store them on metal shelves. Also, if the chemicals react with rubber you would not want to wear a rubber face-piece respirator or rubber gloves.

7) Health Hazard Data

This section tells what parts of the body the chemical can damage, as well as how to avoid exposure. For example, if a chemical has a "skin" notation listed on the MSDS, it means that the chemical can enter into the blood stream through the skin. Medical and first-aid treatments for exposures will be listed in this section.

Why is this information important? Sickness and death can be prevented if you are aware of the hazards ahead of time.

8) Precautions for Safe Handling and Use

Spill and Leak Procedures are listed in the event of an accident. Also listed are types of emergency equipment training needed for the workers using the chemicals, and shipping requirements.

Why is this information important? To safeguard your health and the environment and also to ensure compliance with all regulations.

9) Control Measures

Methods for reducing exposure through protective equipment, such as gloves, goggles, or respirators, and whether additional ventilation is required when using the chemicals.

Why is this information important? When working with a specific chemical, this section of the MSDS gives specific steps and precautions to take to safeguard your health.

 

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