Hazard Communication and Chemical Safety

Report By:

Richard Rex Robledo

Fernan Bendana

Hazard Communication and Chemical Safety

Hazard : is a situation that poses a level of threat to life, health, property, or environment.

Chemical : any element, chemical compound or mixture of elements and/or compounds. Any basic substance that is used in or produced by a reaction involving changes to atoms or molecules.

Chemical Safety

It is achieved by undertaking all activities involving chemicals in such a way as to ensure the safety of human health and the environment. It covers all chemicals, natural and manufactured, and the full range of exposure situations from the natural presence of chemicals in the environment to their extraction or synthesis, industrial production, transport use and disposal.

Hazard Communication Standard

is a regulation designed to protect workers from hazardous chemicals in the workplace. The purpose of the Standard is to ensure that the hazards of all chemicals produced or imported are classified and that information concerning these hazards is shared with employers and employees. This transfer of information is to be accomplished by means of a comprehensive hazard communication program that includes container labeling and other forms of warning, Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and employee training.

HAZCOM also requires that employees actively take steps to protect themselves. Employees should read all instructions associated with a chemical in their workplace, including warning labels and SDS. Employees must also use personal protective equipment correctly, and follow any additional safety guidelines from their employer.

The Standard comprises six major categories:

1. Hazard Determination requires employers to identify and evaluate all chemicals used in the workplace.

2. SDS (Safety Data Sheet) Once you have evaluated and identified all of the hazardous chemicals in your workplace, you must document them and obtain an SDS for each item. SDS are...