28.0 ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY GHS/ CHEMICAL RIGHT TO KNOW The purpose of the Hazard Communication/GHS Policy is to establish guidelines that will ensure the hazards of all chemicals/substances are evaluated, accounted for and that any associated hazard information is transmitted to all affected employees. Employees should be aware of hazardous chemicals/substances in the workplace and are provided information regarding the potential hazards associated with exposure to these chemicals/substances. The program also covers container labeling, safety data sheets, employee training and emergency procedures. This policy applies to all employees of the Facilities Management Group at Arkansas Tech University. 28.1 ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES It is the responsibility of all employees to be aware of, understand and adhere to this program to ensure protection from chemical hazards/substances. Employees are also required to ensure that all bottles and containers containing chemicals or substances are properly labeled and identifiable. The labels or writing MUST be legible and clear. Supervisors shall ensure that anytime a new chemical/substance is introduced in their respective departments they will provide a copy of the SDS to the Occupational Safety Coordinator to be added to the existing master list. C. The Occupational Safety Coordinator will be responsible for the following: 1. To ensure this program stays up to date and current according to Local, State, and Federal guidelines. 2. To maintain a copy of the master books of all chemicals/ substances listed for each department in the safety office 3. Responsible for updating the chemical inventory list whenever new hazardous chemicals/ substances are purchased and added to the inventory. Page 1 of 7
D. The Arkansas Tech University Construction Project Manager will be responsible for: 1. Determining what chemicals/substances the contractor will be using while on campus, collecting copies of any and all SDS sheets and providing a copy to the Occupational Safety Coordinator. 2. Informing the contractor of any known chemicals/substances in the area where he will be working and the location of the SDS books. 3. Ensuring that the contractor does not utilize any chemicals/substances or other hazardous materials on campus until the SDS for those chemicals has been reviewed and approved for use by the Occupational Safety Coordinator. 28.2 HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL INVENTORY A list of all hazardous chemicals/substances used by the Facilities Management employees will be compiled. The name of chemicals/substances on this list will match the chemical/substance name on the corresponding Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and container label. These lists need to stay as accurate and up to date as possible. These SDS books will be located in the designated right to know stations in each shop, custodial closet, warehouse, or building. These books must be readily available to the employee at all times. 28.3 SAFETY DATA SHEETS Safety data sheets are simply documents that accompany hazardous chemicals and substances that outline the dangers, composition, safe handling, and disposal of said chemicals and substances. Safety data sheets will be maintained for each chemical/substance used by employees of the Facilities Management Group. Safety data sheets are required by law to be kept on file for a period of 30 years. 28.4 INTRODUCING A NEW CHEMICAL Prior to bringing a new chemical/substance to the work environment the section supervisor will discuss with the Occupational Safety Coordinator, the review of the current SDS for the Page 2 of 7
chemical/substance. When a new chemical/substance is brought into the work environment (even on a trial basis) the section supervisor will be responsible to add a copy to the section s or shop SDS book and give a copy to the Occupational Safety Coordinator. ***NOTE*** It is a violation of the Facilities Management Groups health and safety manual chemical policy to bring a chemical/substance from home. Only approved chemicals bought by the University are allowed to be used by FAMA employees and on their job sites. Following the introduction of a new chemical/ substance, the section supervisor will be responsible to ensure that all affected employees are properly trained in the new chemical/ substance by following these training guidelines: 1. The hazardous properties of the new chemicals/substance 2. How to protect themselves 3. What PPE will need to be worn when handling this chemical/substance 4. What to do in the event of an emergency 5. Any other information the supervisor deems as relevant to relay to the employee regarding the chemicals/substances 6. How to properly dispose of the chemical/substance The training will be documented and a copy of the documentation given to the Occupational Safety Coordinator. 28.5 CHEMICALS/SUBSTANCES THAT ARRIVE WITH NO SDS If an SDS is not received with the new chemical/substance when it is received, the warehouse supervisor will notify the department or section supervisor who initiated the order. The department section supervisor will be given the responsibility to contact the supplier and request that a copy of the SDS be provided immediately. The warehouse supervisor will then place a hold on the chemical/substance and not allow it to be delivered to the appropriate section until the SDS is received. Page 3 of 7
28.6 RETIRED/ DISCONTINUED USE OF A CHEMICAL/SUBSTANCE When a particular chemical/substance is retired or discontinued from active use the corresponding SDS will be removed from the active SDS binder and placed in the retired binder located in the Occupational Safety Coordinator s office. Employees will be permitted access to the master SDS binder by coordinating with their section supervisor and the Occupational Safety Coordinator. If for some reason a chemical/substance is discontinued or will no longer be used by a particular employee or department, please ensure proper disposal methods are followed. If you have any questions pertaining to disposal, please see the Occupational Safety Coordinator. 28.7 LABELING OF CONTAINERS Any secondary container, no matter the substance inside, used by employees of the Facilities Management Group will be labeled in accordance with the GHS standards. Labels will include the following: 1. Product Identifier substance name, common name, chemical name, or both A Signal Word Danger or Warning 2. Hazard Statement 3. Hazard pictograms 4. Precautionary statement 5. Supplier identification Exceptions to the labeling rule are: 1. When the chemical/substance container is stationary and other i.e. signs, placards, process sheets, batch tickets or operating procedures are immediately available and contain the same information as required on the label. Portable containers into which hazardous chemicals/substances are transferred from a labeled container and the Page 4 of 7
chemical/substance is intended to be used by the employee transferring the chemical/substance within an eight hour shift. 2. Signs will be posted in the area of stationary welding for rods and metals 3. Containers that cannot actually have a label placed on them due to makeup of the container C. Each employee is responsible to ensure that chemical/substance containers are properly labeled if they are taken out of the original container and put into ANY form of secondary containers. D. Any chemical/substance whether toxic or non-toxic needs to be labeled, identified, and stored properly. 28.8 HAZARDS OF NON ROUTINE TASKS When employees are required to perform non-routine tasks using non-routine chemicals/substances (i.e. a chemical not used in 3 months or more), they will be informed of the hazards of the chemical/substance by the section supervisor. The employee will be informed of the hazards of the chemicals/substances, the procedures required to complete the task safely and the personal protective equipment to be used and how to safely use it. The following is a list of non-routine tasks (this listed should not be considered all-inclusive) that may be conducted at Arkansas Tech University: 1. Cleaning a vapor degreaser. 2. Unclogging sludge pit lines. 3. Repairing leaks to a roof. 4. Repairing piping system. 5. Welding in a confined space. 28.9 EMPLOYEE TRAINING Each employee who uses chemicals/substances within the scope of their work will be provided appropriate training before they are allowed to use the chemicals/substances. Employees who Page 5 of 7
transfer to another job where chemicals/substances are new to their work experience will be appropriately trained on before they begin work in that area. The following elements should be included in the employee training: 1. The requirements of the HazCom/GHS communication standard. 2. The operations in their work area where hazardous chemical/substances are present. 3. The location and availability of the hazard communication policy, as well as, the chemical/substance inventory list and copies of the SDS s. 4. The physical, health and environmental hazards of the chemical/substance in the work area. 5. The measures employees can take to protect themselves from these hazards (such as personal protective equipment and the emergency procedures. 6. The details of the hazard communication policy, including an explanation of labeling system used, how to read SDS s and how employees can obtain and use the hazard information. REFRESHER TRAINING WILL BE GIVEN AND RECORDED ANNUALLY AS REQUIRED BY STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS. 28.10 CHEMICAL/SUBSTANCE SAFETY PRACTICES & PROCEDURES Using smaller quantities of hazardous chemicals/substances or substituting a less hazardous chemical/substance reduces the risk of serious exposure or spill. When planning your work, consider the following possibilities: 1. Substituting less hazardous chemicals/substances 2. Using less 3. Ordering only what is needed Never smell or taste chemicals/substances to identify them. Wash your hands immediately after using or handling any hazardous chemicals/substances. Page 6 of 7
28.11 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES The following steps, depending on the severity should be followed when an emergency situation pertaining to a hazardous chemical/ substance has occurred: 1. Call 911 2. Call the poison control hotline, if applicable, at 1-800-222-1222 3. Call your supervisor 4. Call the Occupational Safety Coordinator Always know the location and operation of the following safety equipment: 1. Fire extinguisher 2. Eye wash station 3. Emergency shower 4. Stocked first aid kit 5. Nearest bathroom if eye wash station or emergency shower is not available 6. Evacuation route Page 7 of 7