Axcess had been using a Hazard Communication Program to help employees understand the potential hazards of chemicals in use at their worksites. Safety Ed wants to education you on this program. This education is required by the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Failure to meet all the requirements of the law is OSHA’s most frequently cited violation.
Something that is very important to a Hazard communication Program is the Material Safety Data Sheet. These sheets tell you “Everything you need to know” about a specific chemical. After ready this sheet, Safety Ed wants you to know:
- The HEALTH HAZARDS associated with any chemical you are using or are exposed to
- How FLAMMABLE the product is
- The REACTIVITY of the chemical with water or other agents
- What PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) is needed to work with the product
Safety Ed also wants to make sure that you know:
- Where are the MSDS’s kept
- The hazards you face if you use or misuse a chemical
- The emergency procedures to follow in the event of a spill
- The protective equipment you need to use to properly protect you
Axcess industries understands that chemistry is a complex subject, and it’s hard to understand everything hundreds of chemicals being used at work. Safety Ed thinks the best way to accomplish this is to recall the question, “How do you eat an elephant?” The answer is, “One bite at a time!”