H AZARD COMMUNICATI ON: ENSURI N G WORKPLACE SAFET Y

• Title: Hazard Communication: Ensuring Workplace Safety

• Subtitle: Understanding Your Right to Know and Responsibilities
• Presented by: Hamza Abbasi
• Date: 07-09-2025
 I N T R O D U C T I O N - W H AT I S H A Z A R D C O M M U N I C AT I O N ?

• Purpose: To ensure that the hazards of all chemicals produced or

imported are evaluated, and that information concerning their
hazards is transmitted to employers and employees.
• "Right to Know": Employees have a right to know about the
chemical hazards they may encounter in the workplace.
• Goal: To reduce chemical-related illnesses and injuries by
providing clear, consistent information.
• Key Regulations:
• US: OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200)
• UK: Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations
2002
 W H Y I S H A Z A R D C O MMU N I CAT I O N I M P O RTA N T ?

• Employee Safety: Empowers employees to protect themselves

from chemical hazards.
• Compliance: Meets legal and regulatory requirements.
• Risk Management: Helps organizations identify, assess, and
control chemical risks.
• Emergency Preparedness: Provides critical information for
emergency response.
• Productivity: A safer workplace leads to fewer incidents and
increased efficiency.
 K E Y E L E M E N T S O F A H A Z A R D C O M M U N I C AT I O N
PROGRAM

• Written Hazard Communication Program: A comprehensive

plan outlining how the organization will meet the standard's
requirements.
• Chemical Inventory: A complete list of all hazardous chemicals
present in the workplace.
• Safety Data Sheets (SDS): Detailed information on each
hazardous chemical.
• Labels and Other Forms of Warning: Clear and consistent
labeling on chemical containers.
• Employee Information & Training: Ensuring employees
understand chemical hazards and protective measures.
 SAFETY DATA SHEETS (SDS)

• What are they? Comprehensive documents providing detailed information about a hazardous chemical.
• Format: Standardized 16-section format (Globally Harmonized System - GHS).
• Key Sections (Examples):
• Identification
• Hazard(s) Identification
• Composition/Information on Ingredients
• First-Aid Measures
• Fire-Fighting Measures
• Accidental Release Measures
• Handling and Storage
• Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
• Physical and Chemical Properties
• Stability and Reactivity
• Toxicological Information
• Ecological Information (Non-mandatory for OSHA)
• Disposal Considerations (Non-mandatory for OSHA)
• Transport Information (Non-mandatory for OSHA)
• Regulatory Information (Non-mandatory for OSHA)
• Other Information
 LABELS AND OTHER FORMS OF
WARNING
• Purpose: Provide immediate, concise hazard information.
• GHS Label Elements:
• Product Identifier: Name or number of the hazardous chemical.
• Signal Word: "Danger" (more severe) or "Warning" (less severe).
• Pictograms: Standardized symbols conveying specific hazard types (e.g.,
flame, skull and crossbones).
• Hazard Statement(s): Describes the nature of the hazard (e.g., "Highly
flammable liquid and vapor").
• Precautionary Statement(s): Describes recommended measures to
minimize or prevent adverse effects (e.g., "Wear protective gloves/eye
protection/face protection").
• Supplier Information: Name, address, and phone number of the chemical
manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party.
• Workplace Labels: Employers must ensure containers are labeled,
tagged, or marked with appropriate hazard warnings.
 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

• Purpose: To protect employees from hazards when engineering and administrative controls are not sufficient.
• Regulatory Basis:
• US: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132 (General Requirements), 133 (Eye/Face), 134 (Respiratory), 135 (Head), 136 (Foot), 138 (Hand).
• UK: Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2002.
• Hierarchy of Controls:
• Elimination: Physically remove the hazard.
• Substitution: Replace the hazard.
• Engineering Controls: Isolate people from the hazard.
• Administrative Controls: Change the way people work.
• PPE: Protect the worker with personal equipment.
• Types of PPE for Chemical Hazards:
• Eye and Face Protection: Safety glasses, goggles, face shields (ANSI Z87.1).
• Hand Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves (e.g., nitrile, butyl, neoprene) based on chemical type and exposure duration (ANSI/ISEA 105).
• Body Protection: Chemical-resistant aprons, suits, or coveralls.
• Foot Protection: Chemical-resistant boots.
• Respiratory Protection: Respirators (e.g., N95, half-mask, full-face) when engineering controls are not feasible (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134).
• Key Considerations:
• Hazard Assessment: Proper selection of PPE based on the specific chemical hazards (refer to SDS Section 8).
• Training: Employees must be trained on proper use, maintenance, and limitations of PPE.
• Fit: PPE must fit properly.
• Maintenance: PPE must be properly cleaned, stored, and inspected.
 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

• Purpose: To ensure a swift and effective response to chemical-related emergencies.

• Regulatory Basis:
• US: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 (Emergency Action Plans), 29 CFR 1910.120 (HAZWOPER for
uncontrolled releases).
• UK: Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (Reg 8 - Emergency
Procedures).
• Key Elements of an Emergency Action Plan:
• Evacuation Procedures: Clear routes, assembly points, and procedures for accounting for all
employees.
• Reporting Procedures: How to report fires, spills, or other emergencies.
• Alarm Systems: How to activate and recognize different alarms.
• Emergency Contacts: Internal and external emergency numbers.
• First Aid & Medical Assistance: Location of first aid kits, eye wash stations, safety showers,
and procedures for obtaining medical help.
• Rescue & Medical Duties: Assignment of responsibilities for those designated to perform
them.
• Training & Drills: Regular training and drills are crucial to ensure employees know how
to respond.
 SPILL CONTROL AND RESPONSE

• Purpose: To minimize exposure, prevent environmental contamination, and safely clean up chemical spills.
• Information Source: SDS Section 6 (Accidental Release Measures) and Section 7 (Handling and Storage).
• Key Steps for Spill Response:
• Assess the Situation: Is it safe to approach? What is the chemical? What is the quantity?
• Alert Others: Warn colleagues and activate emergency alarms if necessary.
• Contain the Spill: Prevent spread using absorbent materials, dikes, or barriers.
• Protect Yourself: Don appropriate PPE before attempting cleanup.
• Clean Up: Use appropriate spill kits and materials. Follow SDS instructions for neutralization or absorption.
• Ventilate: Ensure adequate ventilation during and after cleanup.
• Dispose of Waste: Properly dispose of contaminated materials according to local regulations (refer to SDS Section
13).
• Report: Report all spills, even minor ones, to supervision.
• Spill Kits: Ensure readily available spill kits appropriate for the chemicals used, containing:
• Absorbent materials (pads, socks, pillows)
• PPE (gloves, goggles, respirators)
• Disposal bags and containers
• Neutralizers (if applicable)
•
 EMPLOYEE INFORMATION AND TRAINING

• When to Train:
• At the time of initial assignment.
• Whenever a new chemical hazard is introduced into their work area.
• What Training Must Cover:
• The requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard.
• Any operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals are present.
• The location and availability of the written hazard communication program, chemical
inventory, and SDS.
• Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a
hazardous chemical.
• The physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the work area.
• The measures employees can take to protect themselves (e.g., work practices, emergency
procedures, PPE).
• The details of the hazard communication program, including the labeling system and SDS.
 EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement a written Hazard Communication Program.

• Maintain a chemical inventory.
• Ensure SDS are readily accessible.
• Properly label all chemical containers.
• Provide effective employee training.
• Ensure appropriate PPE is available and used.
• Establish and communicate emergency procedures.
• Provide spill control equipment and training.
• Review and update the program as needed.
 EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attend and participate in hazard communication training.

• Understand and follow safe work procedures.
• Read and understand labels and SDS.
• Use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Know and follow emergency procedures.
• Understand basic spill response and report all spills.
• Report any spills, leaks, or unsafe conditions.
• Ask questions if unsure about chemical hazards.
 CONCLUSION - A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

• Hazard communication is a critical component of workplace safety.

• It is a shared responsibility between employers and employees.
• Effective hazard communication protects workers, ensures compliance, and
fosters a safer working environment.
• Remember: Your right to know is essential for your safety!
THANK YOU