Hazard Communication Program Manual (Excerpt)
For Strong Memorial Hospital Nurses and Medical Care Staff, Rochester, NY
Prepared by: Environmental Health & Safety (Revised 10/2004)
Section 2. Required Employee Information and Training
I. TRAINING
- Required Training & Frequency of Training
The University provides employees with information and training to ensure they are mindful of the hazards of chemicals present in their work area. Awareness Training is made available at New Hire Orientation before the employee’s initial work assignment begins. Site-specific training must be provided at the initial job assignment. EH&S will provide additional periodic training in those departments where special hazards have been identified.
Documentation of the training provided at New Hire Orientation and other sessions held by EH&S will be maintained by EH&S.
Retraining is required when a new hazard is introduced in a work area. Supervisors may request the assistance of EH&S with the periodic retraining for their employees.
Purpose and Content of Training
The purpose of Hazard Communication training is to inform individuals of the risks and hazards associated with chemical use and what to do if an emergency occurs. General awareness training conducted by EH&S consists of an overview of:
- The existence of the Hazard Communication program (Haz Comm) and its requirements
- How to read and understand the material found on an MSDS
- Methods to minimize employee exposure to hazardous chemicals
- Signs and symptoms associated with exposure to hazardous chemicals
- Location and availability of known reference materials, including MSDS, outlining the hazards, safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals
- Proper use and limitations of personal protective equipment
- proper use of emergency equipment and the limitations of safety equipment
- Emergency procedures to follow in the event of a chemical spill
Source: University of Rochester (NY). Web: www.safety.rochester.edu/ih/hazcomnurses.html.
Hazard Communication Program Manual (Excerpt)
For Strong Memorial Hospital Nurses and Medical Care Staff, Rochester, NY
SECTION 3: Chemicals — Hazards and Emergency Response
III. SPILL CONTROL POLICY
When working with chemicals, responding to chemical spills is vital to minimize hazards. Preplanning the spill response saves time and minimizes hazards. Small spills are those spills, which by their small volume or low toxicity, are not deemed to present a health hazard to trained chemical users. Small chemical spills are to be cleaned up immediately by the chemical user. Some spills can create slippery conditions that can lead to additional hazards. The appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn when cleaning these spills to help prevent exposures.
Some hazardous substances necessitate special cleanup procedures to minimize hazards to clean up personnel. Major spills are those spills, which by their large volume or high toxicity, present a health hazard under normal conditions. Clean up of these spills should not be attempted by employees. Appropriate emergency services should be notified immediately to arrange for a spill response team.
- Spill Emergency Plan
- Emergency preplanning to be followed before working with toxic chemicals:
- Determine the potential location of releases.
- Determine the quantities of material that may be released.
- Know the chemical and physical properties of the material (physical state, vapor pressure, air or water reactivity).
- Know the hazardous properties of the material (toxicity, corrosivity, flammability).
- Have required PPE and spill kits available.
- In the event of a small spill, the following general procedures are to be followed:
- Attend to any people who may have been contaminated. If personal exposure may have occurred, have the people use the eyewash station or safety shower. Direct the person to appropriate medical facilities.
- Notify people in immediate area of spill.
- Close the door.
- Avoid breathing vapors of spilled material.
- Leave any local exhaust ventilation on.
- Secure supplies to effect cleanup.
- During cleanup, wear the appropriate PPE.
- Place the collected waste in an appropriate container for disposal.
- In the event of a major spill, the following procedures are to be followed:
- Attend to any people who may have been contaminated. If personal exposure may have occurred, have the person use the eyewash station or safety shower. Remove the person from the area and seek medical assistance if needed.
- Alert others in the immediate area of the spill. Evacuate personnel from the area.
- Confine the fumes/vapors from the spill by closing the door to the room where the spill occurred.*
- Contact Security (ext. 13) from safe location.
- Be available for emergency spill response personnel to provide information concerning the spill and other hazards that may be present in the spill area.
- Emergency preplanning to be followed before working with toxic chemicals:
* In deciding whether to vent, consider the quantity of flammable materials that might be present during a spill and the volume of air being exhausted for the location, according to Robert Passalugo, CIH, senior industrial hygienist at Strong Memorial Hospital. If the absorbent material from a spill kit is placed on the spill in a matter of a few minutes and the absorbent material is placed into a closable 5-gallon drum, the quantity of vapors is sufficiently low that the permissible exposure limit from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the lower explosive atmosphere level would not be an issue, he says.
Source: University of Rochester (NY). Web: www.safety.rochester.edu/ih/hazcomnurses.html.
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Hazard Communication Program Manual (Excerpt)
For Strong Memorial Hospital Nurses and Medical Care Staff APPENDIX 2 |
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| NAME OF CHEMICAL | MANUFACTURER & ADDRESS | STORAGE LOCATION | HAS MSDS BEEN RECEIVED? YES/NO* |
PPE REQUIRED FOR USE** |
| Add any chemicals whenever a new chemical is introduced in the workplace.
NAME OF PERSON COMPLETING INVENTORY:________________________ DATE OF INVENTORY: ______/______/______ * If the MSDS is not available, call the chemical supplier for a copy. ** List the PPE required for using the chemical in this column. Source: University of Rochester (NY). Web: www.safety.rochester.edu/ih/hazcomnurses.html. |
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