HAZARD COMMUNICATION

a. 29CFR 1910.1200
–OSHA published in 1988, requires, chemical manufacturers or importers to evaluate the hazards of the products they supply and summarize this information on Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), shipping labels, and product warnings
b. Employers must supply this information to their employees and provide training on:
–The chemical hazards found in their work place. This includes training on reading hazard labels and MSDS, physical and health hazards of the chemicals, how to detect releases, the use of any required personal protective equipment (PPE), and the details of the hazard communication program.
c. Specific laboratory requirements include:
-Ensuring all incoming chemical containers are labeled,
–MSDS are received with incoming chemicals and are readily accessible to laboratory employees at all times, while working in their labs,
–Ensure all laboratory, employees are trained on the physical and health hazards associated with the chemicals used including:
d. Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release hazardous chemicals in the work area,
e. The measures employees can take to protect themselves from chemical hazards, such as work practices, emergency procedures, and PPE.
f. Laboratories that ship hazardous chemicals are considered either a chemical manufacturer or distributor under this standard and must also comply with the shipping requirements, including labeling containers, using proper shipping names and preparing an MSDS to be provided to the recipients