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Hazard Communication Plan

Introduction

Purpose

Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) is required by U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 29 1910.1200 and Virginia Administrative Code (VAC)16 VAC 25-60-160 to design a written hazard communication program that establishes the mechanisms and methods that BRCC uses to minimize the risk of chemical exposure to employees.

The following document outlines BRCC’s Hazard Communication Plan and describes specific policies and procedures designed to satisfy federal and state safety requirements. The components and information required and contained within this document are consistent with the provisions of the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Office (VOSH), the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), and the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Those key components include a written hazard communication program, hazard classification, safety data sheets (SDS), employee information and training, container labeling, and other forms of warning.

VOSH adopts, by statute, the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) 29 CFR 1910.1200. OSHA requires that employers that possess hazardous chemicals in the work area maintain a written hazard communication program that provides for proper employee training, proper chemical container and vessel labeling, and maintenance and availability of SDS for employees who work with hazardous chemicals.

The purpose of this plan is to establish a workplace program that provides guidance on how to safely manage chemicals and communicate the hazards associated with chemicals used in the workplace through training employees on SDS, hazard classification, labels and other forms of warning. The plan applies to any chemical which is known to be present or used in the workplace in such a manner that employees may be exposed under normal conditions of use or in a foreseeable emergency.

A hazardous chemical is defined as any chemical which presents a physical or health hazard. This program will be implemented for all non-laboratory employees that routinely use (i.e., package, handle, react, or transfer) hazardous chemicals including those in sealed containers which are not opened under normal conditions. Laboratory activities are regulated by the Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories standard (29 CFR 1910.1450). More information on chemical safety in laboratories here.

This program does not apply to the following substances:

  • Hazardous waste as defined by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act;
  • Hazardous substances covered under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation, and Liability Act;
  • Tobacco or tobacco products;
  • Wood or wood products;
  • Food or alcoholic beverages;
  • Drugs regulated by the Food and Drug Administration;
  • Cosmetics;
  • Consumer products as defined in the Consumer Product Safety Act and Federal Hazardous Substances Act;
  • Ionizing and nonionizing radiation; and
  • Biological hazards.

The Office of the Vice President of Finance and Administration oversees the development and implementation of Blue Ridge Community College’s Hazard Communication Program. This plan and all its contents apply to the entire campus community, including faculty, staff, students, and visitors.

Training and Exercises

All faculty and staff who work with hazardous chemicals on a routine and non-routine basis must attend Hazard Communication Training. Training includes but is not limited to:

  • The requirements of the HCS, 29 CFR 1910.1200;
    • A method for identifying operations or activities in the work area that are subject to HCS regulations;
    • Methods for identifying chemical hazards and familiarizing employees with the physical and health hazards associated with chemicals in the work area;
    • Measures and actions employees can take to protect themselves from chemical hazards.

Employee rights

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 provides rights to employees that offer protection from hazards in the workplace. For more information visit osha.gov/workers.

Reporting

Incidents, Accidents, or Occurrences resulting in personal injury and/or illness, disruption of normal activities or business interruption shall be reported as follows;

  • Any serious injury, illness or fatality shall be reported to the Emergency Preparedness and Safety Manager at the VCCS System Office immediately.
  • Employees: Incidents or accidents that involve employees shall be reported to Human Resources, Public Safety and any other appropriate college officials.
  • Students: Incidents or accidents that involve students shall be reported to the Dean of Students (or appropriate Vice President), Public Safety and any other appropriate college officials.
  • Non-Employees/Non-Students: Incidents or accidents that involve non-employees or non-students shall be reported to Public Safety and appropriate college officials.

Regulatory Agencies

The following agencies regulate laboratory activities and provide guidance and direction concerning the use of chemicals in the laboratory.

Roles and Responsibilities

Each employee who works with hazardous chemicals is responsible for following the guidance provided within this document. All employees are expected to adhere to information provided during Hazard Communication Training, information provided in SDS (Safety Data Sheets), or other safety information readily available and related to the hazardous chemical in use. The following entities have specific responsibilities for implementing the Hazard Communication Plan.

  • Vice President of Finance and Administration (VPFA): The office of the VPFA is responsible for designing, implementing, overseeing, and updating the Hazard Communication Plan. The VPFA will work collaboratively with various departments and individuals to implement and maintain the Hazard Communication Plan as applicable.
  • Supervisor: Supervisors who oversee the daily operations and safety of personnel have specific responsibilities under the Hazard Communication Plan. For the work area(s) and employees for whom they are responsible, supervisor responsibilities are to identify all hazardous chemicals within the work area(s) that they oversee, ensure appropriate PPE is available, compile and maintain a current list of hazardous chemicals used or stored within a work area(s) to include SDS, review and update chemical inventory at least annually, and provide access to SDS, emergency contact information, and other resource information.
  • Employees: BRCC employees who work with hazardous chemicals on a routine and non-routine basis are expected to comply with BRCC’s Hazard Communication Plan. BRCC has contracted with James Madison University to provide services and expertise related to the Hazard Communication program.
  • Human Resources: The Human Resources Department is responsible for notifying OSHA/VOSH when an employee is killed on the job (within 8 hours) or suffers a work-related hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye (within 24 hours).
  • Contractors: Contractors who use hazardous chemicals on BRCC premises are required to operate under a hazard communication program designed and implemented by their employer. Contractors must inform or provide to the BRCC the following: presence of hazardous chemicals, a copy of the contractor’s chemical inventory or list of the hazardous chemicals being brought to site, hard copies of SDS, and any precautionary measures that need to be taken.

All BRCC personnel working with hazardous chemicals on a routine or non-routine basis are expected to comply with BRCC’s Hazard Communication Plan. Employee responsibilities include:

  • Attending Hazard Communication Training prior to beginning any work that involves the use, application, or storage of hazardous chemicals.
  • Following the directives and guidance provided in this Hazard Communication Plan.
  • Reviewing SDS prior to using hazardous chemicals and follow the recommendations provided.
  • Notifying their supervisor if SDS are unavailable,
  • Ensuring that hazardous chemical containers are properly labeled and that all immediate use containers (temporary containers) are used appropriately.
  • Notifying Public Safety if dangerous work conditions are observed, the Hazard Communication Plan is not followed, and following any accident or harmful exposure to a hazardous chemical(s) (after appropriate steps are taken to treat or eliminate the harmful situation).
  • Reviewing non-routine tasks that involve hazardous chemicals with their supervisor to ensure that appropriate safety equipment and PPE are available and used correctly.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

BRCC utilizes an online platform as the repository for SDS for hazardous chemicals. An SDS should accompany each chemical delivered to BRCC. If the SDS is not provided by the manufacturer or shipper, the supervisor or designee, must make every effort to obtain the SDS as soon as possible. Faculty, staff, and students have unrestricted access to view chemical information via the online SDS system. Employees needing additional access for data entry purposes can contact the Office of Financial and Administrative Services.

SDS for current chemicals in the workplace shall be maintained by the supervisor for as long as that chemical is in use. Once SDS have become obsolete, modified, or no longer in use, SDS will be retained by the supervisor for a period of 30 years. When transferring obsolete or modified SDS out of your active files, be sure to date the SDS to document when the product was no longer used and when your employees were no longer exposed to the product.

SDS shall be in English and contain the following sixteen (16) sections:

  • Section 1: Identification: This section identifies the chemical on the SDS and recommended uses. It provides the essential contact information of the supplier.
  • Section 2: Hazard Identification: This section identifies the hazards of the chemical presented on the SDS and the appropriate warning information associated with those hazards.
  • Section 3: Composition / Information on Ingredients: This section identifies the ingredient(s) contained in the product indicated on the SDS, including impurities and stabilizing additives. This section includes information on substances, mixtures, and all chemicals where a trade secret is claimed.
  • Section 4: First-Aid Measures: This section describes the initial care that should be given by untrained responders to an individual who has been exposed to the chemical.
  • Section 5: Fire-Fighting Measures: This section provides recommendations for fighting a fire caused by the chemical.
  • Section 6: Accidental Release Measures: This section provides recommendations on the appropriate response to spills, leaks, or releases, including containment and cleanup practices to prevent or minimize exposure to people, properties, or the environment. It may also include recommendations distinguishing between responses for large and small spills where the spill volume has a significant impact on the hazard.
  • Section 7: Handling and Storage: This section provides guidance on the safe handling practices and conditions for safe storage of chemicals.
  • Section 8: Exposure Controls/Personal Protection: This section indicates the exposure limits, engineering controls, and personal protective measures that can be used to minimize worker exposure.
  • Section 9: Physical and Chemical Properties: This section identifies physical properties associated with the substance or mixture.
  • Section 10: Stability and Reactivity: This section describes the reactivity hazards of the chemical and the chemical stability information. This section is broken into three parts: reactivity, chemical stability, and other.
  • Section 11: Toxicological Information: This section identifies toxicological and health effects information or indicates that such data are not available.
  • Section 12: Ecological Information (non-mandatory): This section provides information to evaluate the environmental impact of the chemical(s) if it were released to the environment.
  • Section 13: Disposal Considerations (non-mandatory): This section provides guidance on proper disposal practices, recycling or reclamation of the chemical(s) or its container, and safe handling practices. To minimize exposure, this section should also refer the reader to Section 8 of the SDS.
  • Section 14: Transport Information: This section provides guidance on classification information for shipping and transporting of hazardous chemical(s) by road, air, rail, or sea.
  • Section 15: Regulatory Information: This section identifies the safety, health, and environmental regulations specific for the product that is not indicated anywhere else on the SDS.
  • Section 16: Other Information: This section indicates when the SDS was prepared or when the last known revision was made. The SDS may also state where the changes have been made to the previous version. Other useful information also may be included here.

Hazardous Chemical Inventories

Each work area, unit, or building is required to maintain an inventory of the hazardous chemicals in storage and use. Supervisors or designated persons are responsible for ensuring that hazardous chemical inventories are completed, accurate, and updated annually. The hazardous chemical inventory must contain at least the following information:

  • Chemical name, trade name, or the common name used on the SDS and/or container label;
  • The chemical manufacturer’s name;
  • Location of the chemical; and
  • Date that the chemical was placed in inventory

OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.1020(d)(1)(ii)(B) requires that employers maintain a list of chemicals that includes the chemical name, location, and time period when the chemical was used for 30 years from the date of use. Chemical inventories must be routinely updated to capture changes in inventory. Procedures for maintaining hazardous chemical inventories may vary by department based on activities, structure, and personnel.

Labeling and Warnings

OSHA requires that manufacturers, distributors, employers, and employees observe specific requirements for container labeling and posting warning signage.

Manufacturer’s Container Labels

All containers delivered to BRCC that contain hazardous chemicals should be labeled and marked with the manufacturer’s labels and warnings. Manufacturer’s labels and warnings must contain the following:

  • Signal words;
  • Hazard statements;
  • Precautionary statements ;
  • Pictograms;
  • Product identifier; and
  • Supplier identification.

Under no conditions may the manufacturer’s label be defaced, removed, covered up, or otherwise obstructed so long as the container contains the corresponding hazardous chemical. Once the container is empty, the label should be removed or otherwise obstructed to prevent the false representation of a hazard.

Container Labeling and Labels

Hazardous chemicals should remain in the manufacturer’s container throughout the use of that container. However, if this is not feasible and the hazardous chemical must be transferred to another container, or if one or more hazardous chemicals are mixed in a container, the container must be labeled with the following:

  • Complete chemical name, trade name, or common name found on the SDS;
  • The chemical name written in English and clearly legible;
  • Appropriate hazard warning, or alternatively, words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof which provides at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals; and
  • If an employee who is expected to use the hazardous chemical does not speak English, additional labels provided in the appropriate language that accurately reflects the hazards associated with the chemical.

All chemical containers must have a label attached to them that communicates the hazards of that chemical to the user.

Containers for Immediate Use (Temporary Containers)

Portable containers to which hazardous chemicals are transferred for immediate use by the employee who performed the transfer are not required to be labeled. However, these containers may not be used by any employee other than the employee who transferred the material, must stay in control of the person who filled them, may not remain filled after use and are only for one shift. All portable unmarked containers must be emptied back into the original container, disposed of accordingly, or labeled in accordance with the Hazard Communication Plan when the contents are no longer in use.

Exposure Prevention

BRCC uses three different methods to control employee exposure to hazardous chemicals: engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE. Supervisors are expected to implement engineering controls and administrative controls before relying upon PPE to protect employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Engineering Controls

Engineering controls are mechanical solutions that eliminate or reduce exposure to chemical hazards through the use or substitution of engineered machinery or equipment such as ventilation, screens, intrinsically-safe applicators, guards, and automated safety equipment. Engineering controls will be used wherever possible to reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Administrative Controls

Administrative controls are work procedures, such as written safety policies, rules, supervision, and training, with the goal of reducing the duration, frequency, and severity of exposure to hazardous chemicals or situations. Hazard Communication Training is the most fundamental administrative control used to prevent employee exposure to hazardous chemicals. All employees that use hazardous chemicals during the course of their work are required to attend Hazard Communication Training. This training program is designed to educate employees on how to identify chemical hazards and protect themselves from harmful exposure.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE is safety equipment used to protect an individual in the event that administrative controls or engineering controls are insufficient. PPE serves as a physical control to prevent or minimize the exposure to hazardous chemicals. Examples of PPE are safety gloves, eye protection, respiratory protection, protective clothing, and uniforms. Any employee expected to work with hazardous chemicals must review the SDS to determine what PPE is required to be worn. Supervisors must review non-routine and routine work tasks to ensure that employees are provided with and use appropriate PPE.

Appendix A: Definitions

  • Chemical: Any substance, or mixture of substances.
  • Chemical name: The scientific designation of a chemical in accordance with the nomenclature system developed by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) or the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) rules of nomenclature, or a name that will clearly identify the chemical for the purpose of conducting a hazard classification.
  • Classification: To identify the relevant data regarding the hazards of a chemical; review those data to ascertain the hazards associated with the chemical; and decide whether the chemical will be classified as hazardous according to the definition of hazardous chemical in this section. In addition, classification for health and physical hazards includes the determination of the degree of hazard, where appropriate, by comparing the data with the criteria for health and physical hazards.
  • Common name: Any designation or identification such as code name, code number, trade name, brand name, or generic name used to identify a chemical other than by its chemical name.
  • Container: Any bag, barrel, bottle, box, can, cylinder, drum, reaction vessel, storage tank, or the like that contains a hazardous chemical. For purposes of this section, pipes or piping systems, engines, fuel tanks, or other operating systems in a vehicle, are not considered to be containers.
  • Employee: A person who works for the College full-time or part-time and is paid through the College’s payroll system or receives compensation in any form from College.Employer: A person engaged in a business where chemicals are either used, distributed, or are produced for use or distribution, including a contractor or subcontractor.
  • Exposure or exposed: An employee is subjected in the course of employment to a chemical that is a physical or health hazard, and includes potential (e.g. accidental or possible) exposure. “Subjected” in terms of health hazards includes any route of entry (e.g. inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, or absorption.)
  • Hazard category: The division of criteria within each hazard class, e.g., oral acute toxicity and flammable liquids include four hazard categories. These categories compare hazard severity within a hazard class and should not be taken as a comparison of hazard categories more generally.
  • Hazard not otherwise classified (HNOC): An adverse physical or health effect identified through evaluation of scientific evidence during the classification process that does not meet the specified criteria for the physical and health hazard classes addressed in this document. This does not extend coverage to adverse physical and health effects for which there is a hazard class, but the effect either falls below the cut-off value/concentration limit of the hazard class or is under a GHS hazard category that has not been adopted by OSHA (e.g., acute toxicity Category 5).
  • Hazardous chemical: Any chemical which is classified as a physical hazard or a health hazard, a simple asphyxiant, combustible dust, pyrophoric gas, or hazard not otherwise classified.
  • Hazard class: The nature of the physical or health hazards, e.g., flammable solid, carcinogen, oral acute toxicity.
  • Hazard statement: A statement assigned to a hazard class and category that describes the nature of the hazard(s) of a chemical, including, where appropriate, the degree of hazard.
  • Hazard warning: Any words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof appearing on a label or other appropriate form of warning which convey the specific physical and health hazard(s), including target organ effects, of the chemical(s) in the container(s). (See the definitions for “physical hazard” and “health hazard” to determine the hazards which must be covered.)
  • Health hazard: A chemical which is classified as posing one of the following hazardous effects: acute toxicity (any route of exposure); skin corrosion or irritation; serious eye damage or eye irritation; respiratory or skin sensitization; germ cell mutagenicity; carcinogenicity; reproductive toxicity; specific target organ toxicity (single or repeated exposure); or aspiration hazard.
  • Immediate use: The hazardous chemical will be under the control of and used only by the person who transfers it from a labeled container and only within the work shift in which it is transferred.
  • Label: An appropriate group of written, printed or graphic information elements concerning a hazardous chemical that is affixed to, printed on, or attached to the immediate container of a hazardous chemical, or to the outside packaging.
  • Label elements: The specified pictogram, hazard statement, signal word and precautionary statement for each hazard class and category.
  • Mixture: A combination or a solution composed of two or more substances in which they do not react.
  • Non-routine work task: A task that the employee does not normally perform and for which the employee has not previously been trained. Examples of non-routine work tasks are confined space entry and removing chemical residue from floors after a spill.
  • Physical hazard: A chemical that is classified as posing one of the following hazardous effects: explosive; flammable (gases, aerosols, liquids, or solids); oxidizer (liquid, solid, or gas); self-reactive; pyrophoric (liquid or solid); self-heating; organic peroxide; corrosive to metal; gas under pressure; or in contact with water emits flammable gas.
  • Pictogram: A composition that may include a symbol plus other graphic elements, such as a border, background pattern, or color, that is intended to convey specific information about the hazards of a chemical. Eight pictograms are designated under this standard for application to a hazard category.
  • Precautionary statement: A phrase that describes recommended measures that should be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to a hazardous chemical, or improper storage or handling.
  • Product identifier: The name or number used for a hazardous chemical on a label or in the SDS. It provides a unique means by which the user can identify the chemical. The product identifier used must permit cross-references to be made among the list of hazardous chemicals required in the written hazard communication program, the label and the SDS.
  • Pyrophoric gas: A chemical in a gaseous state that will ignite spontaneously in air at a temperature of 130 degrees F (54.4 degrees C) or below.
  • Safety data sheet: Written or printed material concerning a hazardous chemical that is prepared in accordance with §1910.1200 paragraph (g) of the HCS.
  • Signal word: A word used to indicate the relative level of severity of hazard and alert the reader to a potential hazard on the label. The signal words used in this section are “danger” and “warning.” “Danger” is used for the more severe hazards, while “warning” is used for the less severe.
  • Simple asphyxiant: A substance or mixture that displaces oxygen in the ambient atmosphere, and can thus cause oxygen deprivation in those who are exposed, leading to unconsciousness and death.
  • Substance: Chemical elements and their compounds in the natural state or obtained by any production process, including any additive necessary to preserve the stability of the product and any impurities deriving from the process used, but excluding any solvent which may be separated without affecting the stability of the substance or changing its composition.
  • Supervisor: The individual responsible for managing, directing, and evaluating the work of another.
  • Use: To package, handle, react, emit, extract, generate as a byproduct, or transfer.
  • Unit: An organizational entity (e.g., office, department, college, center, institute, school, or affiliate organization) at BRCC.
  • Work area: A room or defined space in a work area where hazardous chemicals are produced or used, and where employees are present. This term also includes the OSHA definition of “Work area” which means an establishment, job site, or project, at one geographical location containing one or more work areas to include field work sites.

Appendix B: Glossary of Common Safety Data Sheet Terms

  • Acute Effect: Health effects that usually occur rapidly, as a result of short-term exposure.
  • Acute Toxicity: Acute effects resulting from a single dose of, or exposure to, a substance.
  • ANSI: American National Standards Institute is a privately funded, voluntary membership organization that identifies industrial and public needs for national consensus standards and coordinates development of such standards.
  • Appearance: A description of a substance (including color, size, and consistency) at normal room temperature and normal atmospheric conditions.
  • Asphyxiant: A gas or vapor which can take up space in the air and reduce the concentration of oxygen available for breathing. Examples include acetylene, methane, and carbon dioxide.
  • Auto-Ignition Temperature: The temperature at which a material will ignite spontaneously or burn.
  • Boiling Point: Temperature at which a liquid changes to a vapor state at a given pressure (usually sea level pressure = 760 mmHg).
  • “C” or Ceiling: The maximum allowable human exposure limit for an airborne substance, not to be exceeded even momentarily.
  • Carcinogen: A material that causes cancer. A chemical is considered to be a carcinogen, if:
    • It has been evaluated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and found to be a carcinogen or potential carcinogen.
    • It is listed as a carcinogen or potential carcinogen in the Annual Report on Carcinogens published by the National Toxicology Program (NTP).
    • It is regulated by OSHA as a carcinogen.
    • There is valid scientific evidence in humans or animals demonstrating a cancer-causing potential.
  • Chronic Health Effects: Either adverse health effects resulting from long-term exposure or persistent adverse health effects resulting from short-term exposure.
  • Chronic Toxicity: Adverse (chronic) effects resulting from repeated doses of or exposures to a substance over a relatively prolonged period of time.
  • Combustible Liquid: Any liquid having a flash point at or above 100 °F (37.8 °C), but below 200 °F (93.3 °C), except any mixture having components with flash points of 200 °F (93.3 °C) or higher, the total volume of which make up 99 percent or more of the total volume of the mixture.
  • Conditions To Avoid: Conditions encountered during handling or storage that could cause a substance to become unstable.
  • Corrosive Material: A liquid or solid that causes visible destruction or irreversible alteration in human skin tissue at the site of contact.
  • Decomposition: Breakdown of a material or substance (by heat, chemical reaction, electrolysis, decay, or other processes) into simpler compounds.
  • Decomposition Products: Describes hazardous materials produced during heated operations.
  • Density: The mass of a substance per unit volume. The density of a substance is usually compared to water, which has a density of 1. Substances which float on water have densities less than 1; substances which sink have densities greater than 1.
  • Dermal: Used on or applied to the skin.
  • Dermal Toxicity: Adverse effects resulting from skin exposure to a substance.
  • Dry Chemical: A powdered, fire-extinguishing agent usually composed of sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, etc.
  • Explosion Limits: The range of concentration of a flammable gas or vapor (% by volume in air) in which explosion can occur upon ignition in a confined area.
  • Explosive: A chemical that causes a sudden, almost instantaneous release of pressure, gas, and heat when subjected to sudden shock, pressure, or high temperature.
  • Exposure: A person’s contact with a hazardous chemical in the course of employment through any route of entry (inhalation, ingestion, skin contact or absorption, etc.).
  • Extinguishing Media: Specifies the fire-fighting agents that should be used to extinguish fires.
  • Flammable: A chemical that includes one of the following categories:
    • Liquid, flammable–Any liquid having a flash point below 100 °F (37.8 °C), except any mixture having components with flash points of 100 °F (37.8 °C) or higher, the total of which make up 99 percent or more of the total mixture volume.
    • Solid, flammable–A solid, other than an explosive, that can cause fire through friction, absorption of mixture, spontaneous chemical change, or retained heat from manufacturing or processing, or that can be readily ignited and, when ignited, will continue to burn or be consumed after removal from the source of ignition.
  • Flash Point: The temperature at which a liquid will give off enough flammable vapor to ignite. The lower the flash point, the more dangerous the product. A “flammable liquid” is a solution with a flash point below 100 °F (37.8 °C). The flash point of a material may vary depending on the method used, so the test method is indicated when the flash point is given.
  • Foreseeable Emergency: Any potential occurrence such as, but not limited to, equipment failure, rupture of containers, or failure of control equipment, which could result in an uncontrolled release of hazardous chemical into the testing environment.
  • Hazardous Material: In a broad sense, any substance or mixture of substances having properties capable of producing adverse effects on the health or safety of a human being.
  • Hazard Rating: Material ratings of one to four which indicate the severity of hazard with respect to health, flammability, and reactivity.
  • Hazard Warning: means any words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof appearing on a label or other appropriate form of warning which convey the specific physical and health hazard(s), including target organ effects, of the chemical(s) in the container(s). (See the definitions for “physical hazard” and “health hazard” to determine the hazards which must be covered.)
  • Incompatible: Materials that could cause dangerous reactions from direct contact with one another. These types of chemicals should never be stored together.
  • Ingestion: The taking in of a substance through the mouth.
  • Inhalation: The breathing in of a substance in the form of a gas, vapor, fume, mist, or dust.
  • Irritant: A substance which, by contact in sufficient concentration for a sufficient period of time, will cause an inflammatory response or reaction of the eye, skin, or respiratory system. The contact may be a single exposure or multiple exposures.
  • LEL or LFL: Lower explosive limit, or lower flammable limit, of a vapor or gas; the lowest concentration (lowest percentage of the substance in air) that will produce a flash of fire when an ignition source (heat, arc, or flame) is present. At concentrations lower than the LEL, the mixture is too “lean” to burn. See UEL.
  • Lethal Concentration 50 (LC50): The concentration of a material in air which, on the basis of laboratory tests, is expected to kill 50 percent of a group of test animals when administered as a single exposure (usually 1 to 4 hours).
  • Lethal Dose 50 (LD50): A single dose of a material expected to kill 50 percent of a group of test animals. The dose is expressed as the amount per unit of body weight, the most common expression being milligrams of material per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg of body weight). Usually refers to oral or skin exposure.
  • Melting Point: The temperature at which a solid substance changes to a liquid state. For mixtures, the melting range may be given.
  • Mixture: Any combination of two or more chemicals if the combination is not, in whole or in part, the result of a chemical reaction.
  • Mutagen: Those chemicals or physical effects that can alter genetic material in an organism and result in physical or functional changes in all subsequent generations.
  • NFPA: National Fire Protection Association is an international membership organization which promotes/ improves fire protection and prevention and establishes safeguards against loss of life and property by fire. Best known on the industrial scene for the National Fire Codes (16 volumes of codes, standards, recommended practices and manuals developed and periodically updated by NFPA technical committees). Among these is NFPA 704M, the code for showing hazards of materials as they might be encountered under fire or related emergency conditions, using the familiar diamond-shaped labels or placards with appropriate numbers and symbols.
  • NTP: National Toxicology Program. The NTP publishes an Annual Report on Carcinogens which identifies substances that have been studied and found to be carcinogens in animal or human evaluations.
  • Oral Toxicity: Adverse effects resulting from taking a substance into the body via the mouth. Ordinarily used to denote effects in experimental animals.
  • Oxidizer: A chemical other than a blasting agent or explosive that initiates or promotes combustion in other materials, thereby causing fire either of itself or through the release of oxygen or other gases.
  • Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL’s): PEL’s are OSHA’s legal exposure limits.
  • pH: A symbol relating the hydrogen ion (H+) concentration of that of a given standard solution. A pH of 7 is neutral. Numbers from 7 to 14 indicate greater alkalinity. Numbers from 7 to 0 indicate greater acidity.
  • Polymerization: A chemical reaction in which one or more small molecules combine to form larger molecules at a rate that releases large amounts of energy. If hazardous polymerization can occur with a given material, the SDS will usually list conditions which could start the reaction. In most cases the material contains a polymerization inhibitor, which if used up, is no longer capable of preventing a reaction.
  • PPM (Parts Per Million): Parts of vapor or gas per million parts of contaminated air by volume.
  • PPB (Parts Per Billion): Parts of vapor or gas per billion parts of contaminated air by volume.
  • RCRA: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, administered by the EPA.
  • Reactivity: A description of the tendency of a substance to undergo chemical reaction with the release of energy. Undesirable effects such as pressure build-up, temperature increase, and formation of noxious, toxic or corrosive byproducts may occur because of the reactivity of a substance by heating, burning, direct contact with other materials, or other conditions in use or in storage.
  • Sensitizer: A substance which on first exposure causes little or no reaction, but which on repeated exposure may cause a marked response not necessarily limited to the contact site. Skin sensitization is the most common form of sensitization in the industrial setting, although respiratory sensitization to a few chemicals is also known to occur.
  • Shipping Information: The appropriate name(s), hazard class(es), and identification number(s) as determined by the United States Department of Transportation, International Regulations, and the International Civil Aviation Organization.
  • Specific Gravity: The weight of a material compared to the weight of an equal volume of water is an expression of the density (or heaviness) of a material. Insoluble materials with specific gravity of less than 1.0 will float in or on water. Insoluble materials with specific gravity greater than 1.0 will sink in water. Most (but not all) flammable liquids have specific gravity less than and, if not soluble, will float on water an important consideration for fire suppression.
  • Teratogen: Any substance that causes growth abnormalities in embryos, genetic modifications in cells, etc.
  • Threshold Limit Values (TLV’s): Expresses the airborne concentration of a material to which nearly all persons can be exposed, day after day, without adverse effects. TLV’s are expressed three ways:
    • TLV-TWA: The allowable Time Weighted Average concentration for a normal 8-hour workday (40-hour work week).
    • TLV-STEL: The short-term exposure limit or maximum concentration for a continuous 15-minute exposure period (maximum of four such periods per day, with at least 60 minutes between exposure periods) and provided the TLV-TWA is not exceeded.
    • TLV-C: The ceiling exposure limit is the concentration that should never be exceeded, even instantaneously.
  • Toxic: Refers to a chemical falling within any of the following toxic categories:
    • A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LD50) of more than 50 milligrams per kilogram, but not more than 500 milligrams per kilogram of body weight when administered orally to test animals weighing between 200 and 300 milligrams each.
    • A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LD50) of more than 200 milligrams per kilogram, but not more than 1000 milligrams per kilogram of body weight when administered by continuous contact for 24 hours (or less if death occurs within 24 hours) with the bare skin of test animals weighing between 2 and 3 kilograms each.
    • A chemical that has a median lethal concentration (LC50) in air of more than 200 parts per million, but not more than 2000 parts per million by volume of gas or vapor, or more than two milligrams per liter, but not more than 20 milligrams per liter of mist, fume or dust, when administered by continuous inhalation for one hour (or less if death occurs within one hour) to test animals weighing between 200 and 300 grams each.
  • Toxicity: The sum of adverse effects resulting from exposure to a material, generally by the mouth, skin, or respiratory tract.
  • TWA (Time Weighted Average exposure): The airborne concentration of a material to which a person is exposed, averaged over the total exposure time, generally the total workday (8 to 12 hours).
  • UEL or UFL: Upper explosive limit or upper flammable limit of a vapor or gas; the highest concentration (highest percentage of the substance in air) that will produce a flash of fire when an ignition source (heat, arc, or flame) is present. At higher concentrations, the mixture is too “rich” to burn. See LEL.
  • Unstable: Tending toward decomposition or another state, or as produced or transported, will vigorously polymerize, decompose, condense, or become self-reactive under condition of shocks, pressure, or temperature.
  • Vapor Density: The density of a material’s vapor compared to the density of the air. If a vapor density is greater than one, it is more dense than air and will drop to the floor or the lowest point available. If the density is less than one, it is lighter than air and will float upwards like helium.
  • Vapor Pressure: The pressure exerted at a given temperature of a vapor in equilibrium with its liquid or solid form. The higher the vapor pressure, the more easily a liquid will evaporate. Liquid materials that evaporate easily are termed volatile, and this means that air concentrations can build up quickly when working with the material in liquid form. Materials with high vapor pressures may be particularly hazardous if you are working in enclosed or confined areas, or if the air circulation is poor. Materials with low vapor pressure still may pose an inhalation hazard.
  • VOC: Volatile Organic Content.
  • Water Reactive: A chemical that reacts with water to release a gas that is either flammable or presents a health hazard.