Hazard Communication Part of Hazardous Materials, Hazard Communication covers: MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) Signage Labeling HazCom Work Area Chemical Use Inventory OSHA requires that all employers inform their employees of the potential hazards of any hazardous chemicals in their workplace.  The hazards associated with chemicals and materials are communicated to personnel and mitigated through the hazard communication (HazCom) program and the chemical hygiene program (CHP). The CHP is specific to research laboratory activities, whereas the HazCom program addresses all other chemical use. The following Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards apply: "Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories" (chemical hygiene) (29 CFR 1910.1450) "Hazard Communication" (29 CFR 1910.1200) The General Requirements can be found in the description of the Chemical Management Services and Chemical Hygiene Program within Chapter 40, Hazardous Materials. Read More

Resources MSDS Database Viewer Contains all MSDS for chemicals on site at SLAC. Should be used for any active use chemical. Chemical Use Maps [doc] SLAC buildings with chemical delivery locations {restricted access to SLAC} Chemical Storage Asset Inspection Form Chemical Hygiene Plan [pdf] MSDS Information SLAC ES&H Searchable MSDS Database SLAC SEM Searchable MSDS Database ChemQuick: Stanford University MSDS Management System About Stanford's Electronic MSDS System Useful Site Links OSHA/EPA Occupational Chemical Database A convenient reference developed jointly by OSHA and EPA that compiles information from several government agencies and organizations. Available database reports include: Physical Properties, Exposure Guidelines, NIOSH Pocket Guide, and Emergency Response Information, including the DOT Emergency Response Guide. Outside MSDS Links Cal Poly, Pomona MSDS Page Cornell PDC MSDS Searchable Database VWR MSDS Searchable Database MSDS Solutions - (Requires Registration to use) Click to see more links for HazCom

Frequently Asked Questions

• What training is required if I use or handle chemicals at SLAC?
  
  

  Chemical workers at SLAC are required to take Course 105 Hazardous Materials. If you handle, store or generate hazardous waste you must take Course 105R Hazardous Waste as an annual refresher.

• What are my responsibilities as a supervisor or manager of chemical workers?
  
  

  Managers and supervisors will:

  • Select, implement, and maintain appropriate measures for controlling work area hazards associated with hazardous materials
  • Provide applicable PPE at no cost to employees
  • Ensure hazardous materials are properly labeled
  • Designate chemical asset custodians for their area of responsibility
  • Provide any necessary inventory information to the hazardous materials program manager to support maintaining an accurate hazardous materials inventory for regulatory and compliance purposes
  • Providing accurate and complete hazardous material inventory in each work area where hazardous materials are store or used. This can be accomplished through local inventories and/or SLAC inventory.
  • Ensure personnel complete both ES&H training and site-specific on-the-job training (OJT), including providing training to lab workers on non-routine tasks involving chemicals
  • Ensure personnel comply with all safety controls
  • Ensure that all personnel on all shifts have access to relevant MSDSs (either online or a hard copy)
  • If required, ensure that appropriate emergency eyewash and shower equipment is available in the work area and that local exhaust ventilation is properly operating
  • Know the location of hazard control and emergency equipment, inspect the equipment, provide for equipment maintenance, and notify appropriate personnel to repair or replace the equipment if it is missing, defective, or inoperative

  Chemical laboratory supervisors, supervisory personnel responsible for the operations in laboratories designated under the CHP, will:

  • Develop laboratory-specific procedures for their laboratories
  • Sponsor safety meetings, including review of training as well as provide training to lab workers on non-routine tasks involving chemicals
  • Monitor work practices on a daily basis
  • Answer questions regarding safety procedures

• What types of chemical inventories are there and why are they needed?
  
  

  There are different types of chemical inventories that meet different regulatory and management goals. The two that are currently being used at SLAC are the Hazardous Materials Inventory Statement (HMIS) and the HazCom inventory. The table below compares the similarities and differences:
  
  

  Elements	HMIS	HazCom
  Area Of Concern	Fire Control Area or whole building	Work Group storage under control of one supervisor/manager
  Threshold levels that must be considered	- 55 gallons or 275 gallons aggregate- lubricating oils - 55 gallons or more - all other liquid hazardous materials including waste oil - 500 pounds or more - solid - 300 gallons - Propane used for heating - 200 cubic feet or more- all other hazardous material gases - Any amount of radioactive material that requires an emergency plan under Parts 30, 40, or 70 of Title 10 CFR or applicable quantities specified above, whichever amount is smaller.	No lower threshold limit - Includes any hazardous material except: - Materials whose hazardous components are inextricably bound in a product and cannot be released, - Consumer products used for the purpose intended by the manufacturer in quantities not greater than those purchased by the average consumer must be inventoried.
  Does it include hazardous waste?	Yes	No
  Is there a quantitative element?	Yes - Maximum and average amount for each separate chemical or product stored or used	No - it consists of a list of chemicals used/stored and MSDSs
  Driver	Emergency Management and Community-Right-to-Know	Worker protection and Right-to-know
  Driver	HazMat Program manager for site; Building manager	Work Group supervisor
  CMS/Haas support	Partial - for chemical purchases, does not include process tanks, hazardous waste, or oil filled equipment	Partial - for chemicals purchased since August 2005. Does not include legacy chemicals purchased prior to that date. Does not include chemicals that came from another work area and moved.
  Documentation	Submitted to the Santa Clara County CUPA and Palo Alto Fire Department at least annually.	Must be able to demonstrate compliance when asked.

  
  

• Do I still need to keep a MSDS binder in my work area?
  
  

  The HazCom requirement for MSDS availability is met by the on-line MSDS platforms. However, in the event of a power outage this resource will not be available and a back-up is needed. Keeping binders of MSDSs in your work area meets this need, though it isn't the only way. Alternatives can include battery powered lab tops or a hard copy filing system. Whatever way you choose to back-up your area MSDSs it is critical that your employees know how to access and use it.

  
  
• How do I generate a HazCom inventory using the CMS?
  
  

  See CMS Inventory Tools and Report Guidance
  
  

• What is the Chemical Storage Asset Custodian Program?
  
  

  The Chemical Storage Asset Custodian program is designed to support the safe storage and handling of chemicals at SLAC. The program has three elements:
  
  Identified custodians for each storage asset (tank, flammable or chemical cabinets, fume hood, gas racks...). The custodian's contact information should be on each asset or in a prominent location for a storage area.
  
  Monthly documented inspections of chemical storage assets. Custodians will inspect their assets to document status, observe and resolve potential problems, and to verify the location is captured on the CMS map.
  
  Mapping of each storage area. All storage assets should be on the CMS map. If, on review, the custodian notes the area or asset isn't accurately captured on the map they should contact Stafford McCaskill to make any corrections.
  
  

• What are my responsibilities as a Chemical Storage Asset Custodian?
  
  

  The responsibilities of a custodian include:
  
  - Ensuring compliance with the chemical storage requirements of Chapter 40
  - Maintaining documentation about the location, inspection, and testing of chemical assets under their control
  
  Training Requirements: Custodians must take Course 105 Hazardous Materials. If hazardous waste is stored in their asset/area, they must also take Course 105R Hazardous Waste annual refresher
  
  Management Requirements: Custodians are responsible for the management of the asset. This may include securing the asset and limiting use to specified employees, or creating a gate keeper role that would require employees using the asset to get approval from the custodian.
  
  Proficiency Requirements: Custodians must know what is stored in their asset and who uses it. They need to be able to determine if a material is abandoned, expired, or damaged and take steps for its removal. Custodians need to understand how to determine chemical compatibilities and any special storage and handling requirements for the materials in their charge. They need to know what resources are available to them to meet these responsibilities.
  
  Monthly Inspections: Using this knowledge they inspect and assess their asset and document their finding monthly.