UNIVERSITY PUBLIC SAFETY
HANDLING HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS
IN YOUR WORK SITE
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University Public Safety, 503-838-8481, V/TDD 503-838-8481.
1197:250
Table of Contents
HAZARD COMMUNICATION
A. Container Labeling
B. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
C. Training: Use and Location of Chemicals and MSDS
HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT
A. Inventory Control
B. Reduction and Alternative Chemicals
C. Waste Storage and Disposal Costs
HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL SPILL/EXPOSURE
A. Emergency Response, Evacuation, First Aid
B. Hazardous Chemical Cleanup
This hazardous materials procedures manual is intended for use by faculty, staff and supervisors and designed to identify, educate and proceduralize chemical hazards you face in the work place. It is essential that you familiarize yourself with the manual's content and be prepared to act calmly and with confidence in the event of a hazardous chemical exposure.
This manual may serve as a training and emergency reference. It is to be available for easy access to all employees who should be familiar with its content. New employees are to be familiar with this as part of their orientation program.
This manual meets the scope and application of OAR 437 Division 155 and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). If there are further questions or comments please contact the Safety Services Department at 8-8156 (V/TDD 838-8481).
INTRODUCTION
Western uses hundreds of hazardous chemicals daily, from solvents and glues to paint cleaners,
acids, etc. For Western to be in compliance with Oregon Occupational Health and Safety
Administration (OR-OSHA), you have the right to know about the chemicals in your work site,
including their location, health hazards and safe handling precautions.
1. What is a hazardous chemical? A hazardous chemical may be one or a combination of the following that may be a physical or health hazard:
* combustible * unstable * irritant * explosive * water reactive * corrosive
* flammable * toxic * sensitizer
2. Accountability - Supervisor. Faculty and management staff with supervision oversight are required to ensure all hazardous chemicals in their departments contain proper labeling, have Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) available and ensure employees, students and others who come in contact or potential contact with hazardous materials are trained in accordance with OR-OSHA regulations and the Federal "Right to Know" law.
3. Accountability - Employee. Faculty, staff and students who may come in contact with hazardous chemicals are required to know how the type of chemical is to be used, the hazards, location of the MSDS and what procedures are required in the event of a chemical spill or exposure.
Chemicals are to remain in their original container unless immediately used by the person who transferred the chemical to a secondary container. At no time is anyone to use a chemical if it meets one or more of the following criteria:
i. The chemical is in a secondary container that does not have the correct labeling and associated hazards.
ii. The container is damaged or leaking.
iii. The person who is using the chemical has not
been trained in the application or associated
hazards of the chemical.
iv. The person using the chemical is not wearing
the personal protective equipment recommended
by the manufacturer.
A. Container Labeling provides employees with an immediate warning about the hazards of a specific material and direct the chemical user to appropriate MSDS.
1. Containers may be any of the following:
- bag - bottle - can - drum - storage tank
- barrel - box - cylinder - reaction vessel - etc.
2. Labeling must include:
* Clear listing of the contents;
* Any and all appropriate hazard warnings;
* Manufacturer's name and address
(Chemical hazard tags are available at the Physical Plant Stores or University Public Safety for secondary or unmarked containers.
3. Hazard warnings include
B. What is a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)? This is an information sheet from a manufacturer on the chemical, describing the physical and chemical characteristics; hazards; exposure limits and control measures; First Aid procedures; precautions for use; and personal protective equipment.
Who is responsible for the MSDS? Faculty and management staff with employees who may use chemicals are required to have MSDS present in the work place. If a hazardous chemical does not have an MSDS available, the supervisor is required to request one through the supplier or vendor prior to its use at the work site.
MSDS Content:
* Identity - chemicals presenting a physical or health hazard
* Physical and Chemical Characteristics - flash point, vapor pressure, chemical stability
* Physical Hazards - reactivity, explosiveness and fire potential
* Health Hazards - signs and symptoms or medical conditions aggravated by exposure
* Routes of Chemical Entry into the body, such as inhalation, absorption
* Permissible Exposure Limits - the level of chemical exposure that should not be exceeded
* Carcinogen - if it is listed as potential cancer causing
* Precautions Necessary for Safe Use
* Control Measures to Include - work practices,
personal protective equipment
* Emergency and First Aid Procedures
* Date of MSDS Preparation
* Name, Address and Telephone Number of person(s) responsible for MSDS
C. Training - Use and Locations of Chemicals and MSDS. Who is required to be trained on chemicals? Employees, students, contractors and/or persons who may come in contact with hazardous chemicals while performing duties at the University.
Training Includes:
* Type of and how the hazard communication
labeling system works;
* How to obtain, read and use MSDS
and appropriate hazard information;
* Physical and health effects of the
hazardous chemicals in their work area;
* Methods used to determine the presence
or release of hazardous chemicals in the
work place. (Many chemicals do not have
an odor or visible vapor or gas.);
* How to reduce or prevent exposure to
hazardous chemicals through procedures
and personal protective equipment;
* Emergency procedures to follow if exposed to a hazardous chemical;
* Location and use of hazardous chemicals;
* List and location of MSDS.
Hazardous Chemical Use Expectations:
* Each employee is responsible to use hazardous chemicals in a safe manner that is consistent with the chemical labeling and MSDS.
* Employees are NOT to use a chemical in an unmarked container or a new chemical introduced into the
work area until they are
properly labeled and MSDS
are available.
* Each employee is to use
appropriate personal
protective equipment
recommended by the
chemical manufacturer
and MSDS.
Hazardous Chemical Locations
* Each employee is to know the location of all hazardous chemicals and the related dangers in their work area.
MSDS Locations:
* Each employee is to know the location and access of MSDS for chemicals used in their area.
* Each employee is to report to their supervisor any MSDS missing in their work area.
Western will always remain liable for all hazardous waste generated on campus even if shipped to an approved recycling, treatment or disposal facility.
Western is a conditionally exempt small quantity generator by generating less than 220 pounds of hazardous waste a month. This exemption status allows Western to:
1. Pay no fees;
2. Have limited reporting to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
For Western to maintain exempt status, we must have:
* Inventory Management
* Process Modification
* Volume Reduction
* Recovery and Recycling
* Alternative Chemicals
* Hazardous Waste Generation Process
* Disposal Cost Reduction
* Storage
* Hazardous Waste Pickup and Disposal
* Accountability
HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT
A. Purchasing and Inventory Control of Hazardous Chemicals. The purchasing and campus departments are responsible for:
1. Receiving toxic use and waste reduction advantages when obtaining new or replacement chemicals or equipment;
2. Hazardous chemical inventory list of their
chemicals (OAR 437.155);
3. MSDS for each hazardous chemical
inventoried;
4. Avoidance of over purchasing hazardous
chemicals;
5. Having a responsible person in charge of
use, storage and disposal of hazardous
chemicals;
6. Dates of purchase, receipt and disposal
of all hazardous chemicals.
B. Reduction and Alternative Chemicals. Departments are responsible for reducing hazardous chemicals and waste by:
1. Process Modification - being able to change a procedure to reduce amount of chemical used and waste.
2. Volume Reduction - Reducing hazardous chemicals.
3. Recovery and Recycling - recycling hazardous chemicals such as solvents, oil, batteries, etc.
4. Alternative Chemicals - replacing hazardous chemicals with non-hazardous or less hazardous chemicals.
Examples include micro biology/chemistry, using latex paints vs. oil base, thinner and solvent recycling, etc.
C. Waste Storage and Disposal Costs. Departments
generating hazardous waste are responsible for the
following:
1. Hazardous waste should be stored in
original containers or in a secondary
impermeable container that is labeled
with the type of chemical and as
hazardous waste.
2. Hazardous waste will be picked up and disposed of byUniversity Public Safety. Departments are not to maintain full hazardous waste containers for more than 30 days.
3. Chemicals that are no longer usable as a result of expired shelf life are considered hazardous waste.
4 Hazardous waste disposal is expensive. University Public Safety will attempt to find the most cost effective means for disposal. Departments will be billed for waste disposal and can expect to pay
anywhere from $20 to $100 or more per
gallon of hazardous waste. Estimated
costs of disposal will be given to a
department prior to shipment.
5. Western contracts hazardous
waste disposal with a
hazardous waste vendor.
HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL SPILL/EXPOSURE
Hazardous chemical spills can be deadly with little or no warning. In the event of a chemical spill you need to know:
* What a chemical spill consists of;
* Who to report a chemical spill to;
* When should evacuation take place;
* Where should people be evacuated to.
Emergency Response, Evacuation and First Aid. In the event of a hazardous chemical spill, the following is to occur:
1. Leave the area immediately.
2. Sound the alarm to alert others.
3. Notify University Public Safety at 8-8007.
4. Do not return to the area of exposure.
Hazardous chemical exposures may consist of:
1. Chemical release into the environment above the manufacturer's suggested level of safety. An example might be spilling ammonia on the floor in a small room.
2. Unconsciousness of a person in or around chemicals. This area should not be entered into. Emergency personnel with personal protective equipment are to respond.
3. Fume exposure may occur and cause a sense of burning or irritation to the mouth, nose, throat, chest or eyes. Symptoms might include dizziness or nausea and a strong odor may exist.
4. Skin/eye contact with a hazardous chemical is to be treated as described on the First Aid section of MSDS for the chemical.
HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL SPILL/EXPOSURE
A. Emergency Response/Evacuation - 8-8007. In the event of a chemical exposure or spill, University Public Safety is to be notified and the following information provided:
1. Location of building or room,
or provide a landmark;
2. Description of chemical;
3. Number of persons who may be
exposed to a hazardous chemical;
4. Your name and phone number for call back.
University Public Safety will:
1. Respond and analyze the chemical
exposure as first responders and
evacuate exposed persons to a safe
distance.
2. Determine resources required for
First Aid, evacuation and chemical
spill cleanup.
3. Block off the chemical exposed area
until a certified hazardous waste Site
Operations Coordinator has determined the area is declared safe.
4. Provide First Aid and/or request additional emergency medical personnel.
A. Emergency Response, Evacuation, First Aid
A certified hazardous waste site operations coordinator will perform the following in the event of a hazardous chemical spill:
1. Site Evaluation to include monitoring, identifying and controlling hazardous chemicals;
2. Remediate Chemical to include one or more of the following: neutralizing; absorbing; and containing the chemical to the point the chemical is no longer a safety or health threat;
3. Decontamination to include eliminating chemical residue from exposed surfaces and persons.
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