16-Hazardous Communication#

Hazardous Communication is required by OSHA 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. This information is transmitted through the use of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and labels. The regulation requiring this is 29 CFR 1910.1200.

Global Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is a system for standardizing and harmonizing the classification and labelling of chemicals. It satisfies the requirement of many countries to have a single system of classification and labelling of chemicals.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understand the purpose and components of the Hazardous Communication Standard

  2. Become more familiar with the 9 Hazard Classes of the GHS

  3. Understand the 16 Components of a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

  4. Understand the elements of GHS Labeling

  5. Be familiar with the GHS Pictograms

  6. Understand the NFPA 704 Diamond

Opening Activity#

  • How would you think it best to communicate hazards to a toddler or 3-5 year old on the hazards in a typical household

    • Guns?, Chemicals?, Hot Surfaces?, Electricity?, Sharp Objects?

  • How would you want to be communicated to about hazards in your workplace?

    • Chemicals, Machinery, Electrical Hazards, Fire Hazards, etc.?

Nine (9) Hazard Classes of Materials and Articles#

  1. Explosives

  2. Gases

  3. Flammable Liquids

  4. Flammable Solids

  5. Oxidizing Substances

  6. Toxic and Infectious Substances

  7. Radioactive Material

  8. Corrosives

  9. Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods

Explosives#

  • HD1.1: Mass explosion hazard

  • HD1.2: Projection hazard

  • HD1.3: Fire hazard

  • HD1.4: No significant hazard

  • HD1.5: Very insensitive substances

  • HD1.6: Extremely insensitive substances

See Video examples from Safety Management Services, Inc.

Gases#

  • HD2.1: Flammable gases

  • HD2.2: Non-flammable, non-toxic gases

  • HD2.3: Toxic gases

Flammable Liquids#

  • Flammable liquids: flash point < 60°C

  • Combustible liquids: flash point > 60°C and < 93°C

Flammable Solids#

  • HD4.1: Flammable solids

  • HD4.2: Spontaneously combustible

    • Pyrophoric: ignite spontaneously in air

    • Self-heating: heat up in air

  • HD4.3: Dangerous when wet

Oxidizing Substances#

  • HD5.1: Oxidizing substances

  • HD5.2: Organic peroxides

Toxic and Infectious Substances#

  • HD6.1: Poisonous substances

  • HD6.2: Infectious substances

Radioactive Material#

  • HD7: Radioactive material

Corrosives#

  • HD8: Corrosives

Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods#

  • HD9: Miscellaneous dangerous goods

Hazardous Materials Table#

The hazardous materials table is a list of hazardous materials and their proper shipping names, hazard classes, identification numbers, packing groups, and special provisions. The table is in 49 CFR 172.101: 49 CFR 172.101

49 CFR 172.101 has many of the details on shipping and handling of hazardous materials. You are not required to know this for any exam but it may prove valuable to you to know where to find this information.

SDS Components#

  1. Identification

  2. Hazard(s) identification

  3. Composition/information on ingredients

  4. First-aid measures

  5. Fire-fighting measures

  6. Accidental release measures

  7. Handling and storage

  8. Exposure controls/personal protection

  9. Physical and chemical properties

  10. Stability and reactivity

  11. Toxicological information

  12. Ecological information

  13. Disposal considerations

  14. Transport information

  15. Regulatory information

  16. Other information

See also: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1200AppD

SDS Examples#

GHS Pictograms#

Source: https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA3491QuickCardPictogram.pdf

GHS Labeling#

GHS Labeling requirements include:

  • Product Identifier

  • Signal Word

    • Danger (more severe)

    • Warning

  • Hazard Statement

  • Pictograms

  • Precautionary Statement

  • Supplier Information

Classwork Assignment: What would a GHS label for PETN look like? What should the SDS Contain?

NFPA 704 Diamond#

NFPA diamonds are required by OSHA to be placed on containers of hazardous materials. The diamond is divided into four sections, each with a color and number. The colors and numbers are as follows:

  • Red: Flammability

  • Blue: Health

  • Yellow: Reactivity

  • White: Special Hazards

NFPA 704 Diamonds are not required by OSHA; however, local municipalities or fire departments may require them.