Health Society of South Africa

HAZARD COMMUNICATION PROGRAMME
How to use material safety data sheets and container labels

Hazard Communication: The Extra Step

Gas in your car, chlorine in the pool, fertiliser, oven cleaner ... Hazardous substances are part of today's high quality of life and a necessary part of many work environments. Your company's hazard communication programme can help you better understand the substances you handle. Material Safety Data Sheets, container labels, employee training - each part of the programme is an extra step toward preventing injuries and keeping you healthy and safe on the job.

For Your Health and Safety
The best way to protect your heath and safety is to know about each of the substances you work with. Some substances can explode or start fires. Others can cause skin rashes, breathing problems or more serious illnesses. But if you handle hazardous substances carefully, following the right precautions, these substances can be handled safely.

Read the MSDS and Label
You can help prevent illness and injury by reading the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and container label for each hazardous substance you use. These give you key health and safety information about the hazardous substances in your work area. Your company makes MSDS's and labels available to you, but the programme can only work with your help and co-operation.

Work Smart: Take Part
Work smart by taking part in your company's programme. Your company teaches you safe work practices for handling hazardous substances, how to use personal protective equipment and first-aid procedures in case of an accident. Since your health is in your hands, be sure you understand your job training and ask any questions you have about handling hazardous substances safely.

Your Hazard Communication Programme

Communicating about substance hazards is nothing new: the information on MSDS's and warning labels has been around as long as the substances have. Your company is simply taking the extra step to be sure you're familiar with its complete hazard communication programme. You can take full advantage of the programme when you know more about each of its parts: hazard evaluation, container labels, MSDS's, employee training and a written programme.

Hazard Evaluation
Chemical producers review scientific studies and provide an updated warning label and MSDS for each hazardous substance in your workplace.

Container Labels
Each label lists the substance name, hazardous ingredients, hazard warnings and the manufacture's name and address.

MSDS's
Each MSDS gives you more detailed health and safety information, precautions for handling and emergency and first aid procedures. The MSDS's for the hazardous substances you're handling are available in your work area.

Written Programme
Your company has a written programme outlining the steps its taking to communicate with you about hazardous substances. The programme includes an updated inventory of the hazardous substances on site.

Employee Training
Your company teaches you how to handle substances safely and how to use personal protective equipment. Your company also explains first aid and emergency procedures in case of accidental overexposure and shows you where to find the MSDS's if you need them.

How to Use a Material Safety Data Sheet

The MSDS for each hazardous substance in your work area tells you how to use, handle and store the substance safely. Each MSDS may look a little different, but all give you the same basic information. The sample MSDS for sulphuric acid shows what you can find out from reading an MSDS. If you have questions after reading the MSDS, check with your supervisor.

Substance Identification
The first section of the MSDS helps you identify the substance. It lists the name of the substance, any trade name and the manufacturer's name and address. This section may also list an emergency phone number.

Hazardous Ingredients
This section lists what's in the substance that can harm you. It also lists the concentration of the substance to which you can safely be exposed, often listed as the permissible exposure limit (PEL) or the threshold limit value (TLV). These safe exposure limits are usually figured for average exposure over a typical work shift.

Physical Data
This section describes the substance's appearance and other characteristics. Percent volatile, for instance is how much of the substance evaporates at room temperature. Sulphuric acid has a low percent volatile, but it can be harmful if inhaled. Respiratory protection or extra ventilation may be needed.

Fire and Explosion Data
Here you can find at what temperature the substance ignites, called the flash point. If a substance is flammable, it ignites below 37.8�C. If its combustible, it ignites at 37.8�C or above. This section also lists extinguishing media - what will put out the fire safely - such as water spray, foam or other type of fire extinguisher.

Health Hazards
This section lists symptoms of overexposure such as a skin rash, burn, headache or dizziness. It also tells you first aid and emergency procedures in case of overexposure, such as flushing your exposed skin with running water for 15 minutes. It may also list many medical conditions that can be aggravated by exposure to the substance.

Reactivity Data
Here you'll find whether the substance "reacts" with material or conditions. Incompatibility lists the materials, such as water or other chemicals that cause the substance to burn, explode or release dangerous gases. Instability lists the environmental conditions, such as heat or direct sunlight, that cause a dangerous reaction.

Spill or Leak Procedures
This section tells you what to use to clean up an accidental spill or leak. No matter what the substance is, always notify your supervisor right away. Before cleaning up a substance spill, you may need to wear respiratory protection, gloves, safety goggles or protective clothing. This section may also include notes on how to dispose of the substance safely.

Special Protection
Here you'll find a listing of any personal protection equipment (respiratory protection, gloves, eye protection) you need to work safely with the substance. If protective equipment is needed, this section may list the specific types that are recommended, such as a full face mask respirator, rubber gloves and safety goggles.

Special Precautions
This section lists any other special precautions to follow when handling the substance. This may include what to have nearby to clean up a spill or put out a fire, and what safety signs to post near the substance. This section also lists any other health and safety information not covered in other parts of the MSDS.

How to Use a Container Label

The hazardous substance you see today may not have been in your shop six months ago, or may be a different or stronger blend. So always check the container label before handling any substance. All labels list basic warnings. Others give more detailed precautions. If you have any questions about a hazardous substance after reading the label, you can check the MSDS.

Basic Warnings
The container label lists the chemical name, hazardous ingredients and name and address of the manufacturer. It also lists hazard warnings such as to keep the substance away from flame or avoid skin contact.

First Aid
The label may explain what to do if you splash the substance in your eyes or on your skin. You may need to flush your eyes at an eyewash station for 15 minutes or wash contaminated skin in a full body shower.

Fire
The label may tell you what to use to put out an accidental fire. There are four different types of fire extinguishers: water spray, carbon dioxide, dry chemical and Halon. Using the wrong one can spread the fire rather than put it out, so be sure you check the warning label.

Spills
There may be a section on how to handle spills. For any spill, contact your supervisor right away and put out any source of nearby flame. You may need to wear personal protective equipment to clean up a spill.

Handling and Storage
The label may list the personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety goggles or a respirator that you need to handle the substance safely. The substance may also need to be stored with extra ventilation or away from other materials.

Disposal
Treat empty containers as if they're full and don't fill them with anything else! Empty containers can be hazardous since they often hold residues that can burn or explode. Follow the label and your company policy on how to dispose of empty containers.

Non-labelled Containers
If a container doesn't have a warning label, don't handle the substance until you know what it is. Report to your supervisor, who can find out what the substance is and provide a warning label if the substance is hazardous.

Transfer Containers
If you move a hazardous substance from its primary container to a new one, be sure your transfer container is labelled. Then your co-workers will know how to handle it safely, too.

Torn Labels
If a label is torn, damage or misplaced ask your supervisor to replace it. Remember, the only way you can handle a substance safely is if you know what it is.

Hazard Communication Takes Teamwork

Your company's hazard communication programme has been designed with your health and safety in mind. But the programme can only work if you help. Your company provides Material Safety Data Sheets and container labels and teaches you how to use them, so you'll know how to handle hazardous substances safely. You can do your part by reading the MSDS and label for each hazardous substance you handle. Working together, you can help keep your workplace safe.