I. Policy & Scope

The purpose of Lycoming College's Written Hazard Communication Program is to ensure that information on hazardous chemicals is readily available and understood by the College's employees.

II. References

1. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200
2. OSHA Voluntary Compliance & Outreach Program
3. Galliger Bassett Services, Inc.
4. Advantage Systems, Inc. Hazard Communications Compliance Kit

III. Administration of the Program

1. The administrator of this program shall be the Director of Safety and Security who has full responsibility for its development and coordination.
2. Deans, Directors, Department Chairs, Chemical Hygiene Officers, and Supervisors are responsible for ensuring employee compliance with this program and they should conduct routine monitoring of their subordinates.
3. Disciplinary action will be administered by supervisory personnel to those employees who fail to comply with the provisions of this policy.
4. The administrator of this program shall maintain surveillance of university facilities and degree of employee exposure.

IV. Hazard Determination Procedures

Lycoming College relies on manufacturers to evaluate chemical hazards of materials that they supply to us. The MSDS included with each new chemical will be accepted by the College as an accurate assessment of hazards. All chemicals ordered must come with a MSDS Sheet. Any chemical arriving without the MSDS should be refused.

V. Container Labeling

Every container of hazardous materials or chemicals must be labeled by the manufacturer. The format may differ from company to company, but the following information, in words or symbols, should appear:

• Common name of the chemical
• Name, address and emergency phone number of the company that manufactured or imported the chemical
• Signal Word - in order of seriousness, signal words are ranked: danger, warning, caution
• Physical and health hazards: (Is it flammable? Is it a carcinogen?)
• Precautionary measures, including basic protective clothing, equipment and procedures that are recommended when working with this chemical
• First-aid instructions
• Proper handling and storage instructions
• Special instructions (Keep out of reach of children)

Lycoming College employees will abide by the following regulations as required by OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard:

• Labels provided by vendors will not be defaced or removed
• If hazardous materials or chemicals are being transferred into portable containers, the person transferring the materials should appropriately label the new container
• Any hazardous materials containers that are delivered to the College without appropriate hazard warnings will be returned to the supplier at the supplier's expense

VI. Material Safety Data Sheets

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is the documentation describing the health and physical hazards of a particular product. An MSDS can provide more information than can fit on a product label. Though the format varies, the MSDS generally includes the following:

• what the chemical or chemical mixture is
• what conditions increase the hazard
• who makes or sells it
• how to handle the substance safely
• what protection is needed
• why it's hazardous
• what to do if exposed
• how you can be exposed to the hazard
• what to do if there is a spill or emergency involving the chemical

Lycoming College meets the requirements for MSDS in the following manner:

• Copies of MSDS are available 24 hours a day. Biology and chemistry MSDS are located in the Heim Reading Room. Buildings and Grounds MSDS are located in the General Services Break Room and all others are located in the Safety and Security Office. Additional copies of MSDSs are kept by individual departments in their offices.
• Department Supervisors will review newly received MSDSs for accuracy. If an MSDS is incomplete, the Department Supervisor is to contact the manufacturer for an updated and complete copy.
• Department and/or Shift Supervisors are responsible for informing employees of any new hazards that are introduced into their work area. This should be accomplished using the MSDS in a documented safety meeting.

VII. Employee Information and Training

To ensure that employees of Lycoming College are safe from chemical hazards while working, the College has implemented an employee training program. Videotaped instruction available for supervisors whose staff fall under this program.

• Explain the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
• Educate employees about operations in work areas where they may come into contact with hazardous chemicals
• Explain how to read a label for hazard information
• Explain how to recognize a hazard warning
• Review Material Safety Data Sheets and their use
• Explain where and how to access the Written Hazard Communication Program as well as Material Safety Data Sheets

Attendance records must be kept on file by the supervisor and in the employee file in the Personnel Office.

VIII. List of Hazardous Chemicals

The list of known hazardous chemicals used at Lycoming College are located in all appropriate MSDS binders. Information on each hazardous chemical can be found by reviewing the MSDS for that product.

IX. Hazards of Non-Routine Tasks

It is a policy of Lycoming College to inform employees about potential hazards associated with non-routine tasks and work on unlabeled pipes and to advise them of the necessary personal protective equipment necessary to safely accomplish these tasks. Employees should always contact their supervisor prior to starting a new task for the following:

• discussion of potential hazards
• review of MSDS of any hazardous chemical involved in the non-routine work
• review of safety precautions that should be taken during this activity

X. On-Site Contractors

Lycoming College's Hazard Communication Program and MSDSs are available to contractors and their employees. The Department utilizing the contractor's services will provide the contractor's employees with any additional information needed to ensure their safety while working on campus. (These requirements do not apply to contractors who provide temporary employees to Lycoming College.)

XI. Access to Written Program

Lycoming College employees may review this Written Hazard Communication Program by requesting access through the Safety Committee member or the Department of Safety and Security.

 

 

Draft 2/98

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