personnel dept hazcom program 5-1-17 · 5/1/2017 · training training will be provided to all...

CITY OF LOS ANGELES

PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT

HAZARD COMMUNICATION

PROGRAM

Approved by: Najma S. Bashar Title: Safety Administrator, Personnel Department

Date: 5/1/2017

Personnel Department Hazard Communication Program

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Table of Contents

Purpose ....................................................................................................................... 3

Rights and Responsibilities .......................................................................................... 3

Personnel Department Safety Administrator ............................................................ 3

General Manager ..................................................................................................... 3

Supervisors and Managers ...................................................................................... 4

Safety Coordinator ................................................................................................... 4

Employees ............................................................................................................... 4

Hazardous Chemical Inventory .................................................................................... 5

Safety Data Sheets ...................................................................................................... 5

Labels and Other Forms of Warning ............................................................................ 6

Secondary Containers .............................................................................................. 7

Portable Containers ................................................................................................. 7

Pipe Labeling ........................................................................................................... 7

Contractors and Contract Workers .............................................................................. 7

Training ........................................................................................................................ 7

Recordkeeping ............................................................................................................ 8

Program Review .......................................................................................................... 8

Definitions .................................................................................................................... 8

Review/Revision History ............................................................................................ 12

Attachments ............................................................................................................... 13

Attachment A: Hazardous Chemical Inventory ....................................................... 13

Attachment B: GHS Hazard Pictograms and Related Hazard Classes .................. 14


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PURPOSE

The City of Los Angeles is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for employees, contractors, volunteers and vendors. Personnel Department’s Hazard Communication Program has been developed to improve communication and training associated with the use, handling, and storage of hazardous chemicals. This program is in compliance with the requirements of Title 8 of California Code of Regulations, Section 5194 (8, § 5194) Hazard Communication Standard. This Hazard Communication Program is designed to increase employee awareness of the hazardous chemicals used in the workplace by providing information about hazardous chemicals, identifying the associated hazards and their harmful effects, and identifying protective measures against those hazards. This document uses Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for classification and labeling of chemicals which was incorporated into the 2013 Cal/OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (California Code of Regulation (CCR), Title 8, §5194). This program describes methods for meeting the requirements of a written Hazard Communication Program, and it includes:

• Developing and maintaining a list of hazardous chemicals

• Availability and access to Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)

• Establishing procedures for container labeling and other forms of warning

• Providing information and training

• Addressing multi-employer workplace issues This program is applicable to all City employees and covers all employees who may be exposed to hazardous substances in the workplace during normal conditions or in a foreseeable emergency. RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Personnel Department Safety Administrator Personnel Department’s Safety Administrator has the ultimate responsibility for the compliance of this Hazard Communication Program. The Safety Administrator conducts an annual review of this program in order to determine whether the program is in compliance with the regulations and identifies opportunities for improvements to the program. General Manager The General Manager will ensure that:

• Hazard Communication is implemented as a part of the department's comprehensive health and safety program;

• Department chemical inventories are completed and maintained; and

• Hazard Communication Program content is communicated to all employees.


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Supervisors and Managers Supervisors are responsible for implementing Hazard Communication at the operational level and ensuring the safe use of hazardous chemicals for all areas under their supervision. The supervisors and managers are responsible for:

• Completing a hazard assessment/personal protective equipment (PPE) selection, if needed;

• Providing training and information to anyone who may be affected by working with hazardous chemicals, including ready access to SDSs and emergency procedures for hazardous chemicals used in the work area;

• Identifying the hazardous chemicals present in the work area;

• Ensuring that containers of hazardous chemicals are clearly labeled with the identifying and appropriate hazard warning signs;

• Maintaining an inventory list of hazardous chemicals present in the work area; and confirming that:

• All hazardous chemicals, at or above reporting thresholds, are inventoried;

• All hazardous chemicals are labeled, at minimum, with the chemical name and the hazard; and

Safety Coordinator

• Advise management on program policy and procedure issues;

• Assist supervisors with hazard assessment and PPE selection;

• Ensure that an annual review of the site-specific chemical products inventory is completed in accordance with this program.

Employees

Employee rights:

• Receive information regarding hazardous chemicals to which the employee may be exposed;

• For the employee’s physician or bargaining unit representative to receive information regarding hazardous chemicals to which the employee may be exposed;

• Access to employee’s medical and exposure monitoring records; and

• Exercise employee’s rights to know without fear of discharge or other discrimination.

Employee responsibilities:

• Reviewing, understanding, and following the requirements of the Hazard Communication Program;

• Completing required initial Hazard Communication training, including the review of labels and SDSs prior to working with hazardous chemicals;

• Knowing the hazards and precautionary procedures for hazardous chemicals used in the work area;

• Working on unlabeled pipes only when the contents of the pipe are determined and appropriate safety precautions have been determined for the work;


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• Following safe work practices, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when working with hazardous chemicals; and

• Immediately reporting accidents, incidents (including near misses), and unsafe conditions to the supervisor.

HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL INVENTORY All divisions that use, handle, or store hazardous chemicals must maintain work area-specific chemical product inventory of the hazardous chemicals. A sample blank hazardous chemical inventory is included in Attachment A.

Consumer products must be included in the chemical inventory if the employee exposure to the product is significantly greater than the consumer exposure occurring during the principal consumer use of the product. However, certain minimal inventory thresholds are required for other reporting agencies such as Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA). On an annual basis, the Safety coordinator or designee shall ensure that a review of the work area-specific chemical product inventory is performed and the inventory is updated. SAFETY DATA SHEETS Divisions must maintain copies of any SDSs received with incoming shipments of hazardous chemicals, obtain SDS of hazardous chemicals if received without an SDS, and shall ensure that SDSs are readily accessible during each work shift. SDSs may be maintained in electronic form provided that there are no barriers to employee access. By June 2015, all SDSs must be GHS-compliant. SDSs will have a consistent 16-section format with the following sections:

• Section 1: Identification

• Section 2: Hazard(s) Identification

• Section 3: Composition/Information on Ingredients

• Section 4: First Aid Measures

• Section 5: Fire-Fighting Measures

• Section 6: Accidental Release Measures

• Section 7: Handling and Storage

• Section 8: Exposure Control/Personal Protection

• Section 9: Physical and Chemical properties

• Section 10: Stability and Reactivity

• Section 11: Toxicological Information

• Section 12: Ecological Information (non-mandatory)

• Section 13: Disposal Considerations (non-mandatory)

• Section 14: Transportation Information (non-mandatory)

• Section 15: Regulatory Information (non-mandatory)


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• Section 16: Other Information SDSs can be obtained by:

• Requesting copies from employee’s supervisor

• Contacting the vendor directly Note: Manufacturers and importers may withhold the specific chemical identity of a hazardous chemical with certain “trade secret” provisions. Personnel Department Occupational Safety and Health Division can be contacted for assistance with addressing “trade secret” information. LABELS AND OTHER FORMS OF WARNING Every container of hazardous chemicals, except containers that will contain chemicals for immediate use, must be labeled, tagged, or marked in English to identify the chemical and to

provide appropriate hazard warnings. Employees who speak other languages may add the information in their language to the material presented, as long as the information is also presented in English.

Manufacturers’ labels on containers of hazardous substances shall not be removed or intentionally defaced (i.e., fade, get washed off) unless the container is immediately marked with the required information including the identity of hazardous substance(s) contained therein and the appropriate hazard warnings. The manufacturers’ original label shall provide:

• Identity of the hazardous substance

• Signal word

• Hazard statement(s)

• Pictograms (see Attachment B)

• Precautionary statement(s)

• Name, address and telephone number of the manufacturer, importer or responsible party

Employees are responsible for ensuring that appropriate labels are affixed to containers for all chemical products used in their work activities. This includes all bags, barrels, boxes, cans, cylinders, drums, vessels, storage tanks, and similar containers that are known to contain hazardous substances. Alternative methods such as signs, placards, process sheets, and operating procedures are acceptable for individual stationary process containers, provided that the information is conveyed to all affected persons. Commonly used labeling systems include Department of Transportation, National Fire Protection Association and Hazardous Materials Identification System. Employees and contractors shall have the opportunity to review these signs and placards at any time during their shift by contacting their immediate supervisor.


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Secondary Containers When the contents of large containers are broken down into smaller or secondary containers for in-house use, the supervisors in each work area must ensure that all secondary containers are properly labeled. Portable Containers Portable containers are those in which an employee or independent contractor transfers chemicals from a labeled container to a portable one solely for immediate use. Pipe Labeling Aboveground pipes transporting hazardous substances (e.g., gases, vapors, liquids, semi- liquids, or plastics) shall be labeled in accordance to 8 CCR §3321, “Identification of Piping”. CONTRACTORS AND CONTRACT WORKERS Hazard information, which includes access to SDS, must be made available to contractors and contract workers if the work is to be performed in the presence of hazardous chemicals. Contractors and contract workers must also disclose hazard information for hazardous chemicals that are brought into the work area that may affect campus employees.

TRAINING

Training will be provided to all employees who are exposed or may be exposed to hazardous chemicals. Re-training will also be provided when a new hazard is introduced into the workplace or new hazard information becomes available for chemicals already in use on-site. Training must cover the following:

• Signs and symptoms related to the exposures to hazardous chemicals used in the work area;

• Methods that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical;

• Industrial hygiene monitoring, the use of continuous monitoring devices, visual appearance, or odors of chemicals;

• Specific procedures to protect employees such as: safe work practices, standard operating procedures (SOPs), emergency response procedures, and use of personal protective equipment;

• Details of manufacturer labels, SDSs and workplace labeling system, and how that information can be used to assure safe handling and storage;

• Procedure for addressing non-routine tasks involving hazardous chemicals.

Employees must be provided training or refresher training prior to engaging in a non- routine task. Employees must be provided hazard notification and precautionary measures to avoid or minimize the potential risk of exposure.


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All training provided must be documented. At a minimum, the following information must be documented:

a. Name of individual(s) trained b. Name of individual(s) providing training for instructor-led courses c. Date of training d. Brief description of training topics covered

RECORDKEEPING Divisions must maintain the current SDSs and hazardous chemicals inventory list for chemicals used at or shipped from the facility for at least 30 years. PROGRAM REVIEW Personnel Department Safety Administrator or designee shall conduct an annual review of this program to determine whether the program is in compliance with regulations and identify opportunities for improvements to the program. DEFINITIONS Article - A manufactured item formed to a specific shape or design that has end use functions dependent upon that shape/design, and that does not release or otherwise result in exposure to a hazardous chemical under normal conditions of use. A chair is an article. Wood that is cut during construction of the chair may be considered hazardous due to health effects associated with inhalation of dusts. CAS Number - The unique identification number assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service to specific chemical substances. Chemical - Any element, chemical compound or mixture of elements and/or components. Competent person – A "competent person" is defined as "one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them". Consumer Commodity - Any article, product, or commodity which is available to consumers; and which is used in the same manner, frequency and duration as the typical consumer. Electronic SDS - Alternatives to paper SDSs such as computers or other electronic means. Employee - A worker who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals during normal operating conditions or during foreseeable emergencies. Workers such as office


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workers who encounter hazardous chemicals only in non-routine, isolated instances are not covered by the Hazard Communication Program. Exposure or Exposed - Means that an employee in the course of employment comes in contact (inhalation, ingestion, skin contact or absorption) with a chemical that is a physical or health hazard; and includes potential (including accidental) exposure. Foreseeable Emergency - Any potential occurrence such as, but not limited to, equipment failure, container rupture or failure of control equipment that could result in an uncontrolled release of a hazardous chemical into the workplace. Globally Harmonized System (GHS) – Is a Classification and Labelling of Chemicals and is internationally agreed-upon, created by the United Nations beginning in 1992. 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 Communication - All employers with hazardous chemicals in their workplaces must prepare and implement a written hazard communication program, and must ensure that all containers are labeled, employees are provided access to SDSs, and an effective training program is conducted for all potentially exposed employees. Hazardous Chemical - Any chemical which is a physical or health hazard. 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. Health Hazard - A chemical for which there is statistically significant evidence based on at least one study conducted in accordance with established scientific principles that acute or chronic health effects may occur in exposed employees. Hazardous chemicals include carcinogens, toxic or highly toxic agents, reproductive toxins, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, agents which act on the hematopoietic system and agents which damage the lungs, skin, eyes or mucous membranes. Immediate Use - Means that the 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.


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Importer - The first business with employees within the Customs Territory of the United States which receives hazardous chemicals produced in other countries for the purpose of supplying them to distributors or purchasers within the United States. 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 - Any combination of two or more chemicals other than components resulting from a chemical reaction. Non-Routine Tasks - Tasks involving the use of a hazardous material for a purpose other than that intended (e.g., using gasoline to degrease a stove), or tasks that are not conducted routinely and that involve the use of a hazardous material (e.g., cleaning a boiler’s combustion chamber). Physical Hazard - A chemical or mixture that is combustible, explosive, pyrophoric, reactive or is a compressed gas, oxidizer or organic peroxide. Pictogram - Is a symbol that represents an object or concept. Hazard pictograms are one of the key elements for the labelling of containers under the GHS. Examples of pictograms can be found in Attachment B. 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. Safety Data Sheets - A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a document that contains information on the potential hazards (health, fire, reactivity and environmental) and how to work safely with the chemical product. It is an essential starting point for the development of a complete health and safety program and an essential component of the GHS which is intended to provide comprehensive information about a substance or mixture for use in workplace chemical management. 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. Trade Secret - Any confidential formula or information that is used in an employer’s business and gives that employer an opportunity to obtain an advantage over competitors who do not know or use it.


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Use - To package, handle, react, emit, extract, generate as a byproduct, or transfer. Work Area - A defined space in a workplace where hazardous chemicals are produced or used and where employees are present Workplace - An establishment at one geographical location containing one or more work areas (e.g., Facilities Management - Building Services).


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REVIEW/REVISION HISTORY

Rev. Date Description of Revision Contact

1 5/1/2017 Compliant with Cal/OSHA Regulation N. Bashar


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Attachment A: Hazardous Chemical Inventory

Hazardous Chemical Inventory

Hazardous Chemical Name Operations / Area Where

Used

Date Brought to

Site

Date Removed

From Site


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Attachment B: GHS Hazard Pictograms and Related Hazard Classes

GHS Hazard Pictograms and Related Hazard Classes

Flame over Circle •Oxidizing gases •Oxidizing liquids •Oxidizing solids

Corrosion •Skin corrosion/burns •Eye damage •Corrosive to metals

Exploding Bomb Explosives Self-reactives Organic peroxides

Skull & Crossbones •Acute toxicity (fatal or toxic)

Environment •Aquatic toxicity

Gas Cylinder •Gases under pressure

Health Hazard •Carcinogen •Mutagenicity •Reproductive toxicity •Respiratory sensitizer •Target organ toxicity •Aspiration toxicity

Flame •Flammables •Pyrophorics •Self-heating •Emits flammable gas •Self-reactives •Organic peroxides

Exclamation Mark •Irritant (eye & skin) •Skin sensitizer •Acute toxicity •Narcotic effects •Respiratory tract irritant •Hazardous to ozone layer

personnel dept hazcom program 5-1-17 · 5/1/2017 · training training will be provided to all...

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