hazard communicationâ€” the case of the unknown chemical hazard

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11016915 ©2003

P O W E R P O I N T ® T R A I N I N G

Hazard Communication—The Case of the Unknown Chemical Hazard

Target Audience: This session deals with the hazards of chemicals used in the workplace. It is intended for all employees whomay come into contact with hazardous chemicals, and especially those who deal with chemicals regularly on the job. This sessionis probably not appropriate for employees at worksites in which no hazardous chemicals are present.Learning Objectives: This session covers chemical labels and material safety data sheets. It also reviews the hazards ofchemicals and how to take precautions for safe chemical handling. This session can be used in conjunction with a completeHazard Communication (HazCom) training session, or it can be used as refresher training.Background for Trainer:� This training session presents a case study of an actual accident inspected and documented by the Occupational Safety and

Health Administration (OSHA). The case presented in this training session is:– Accident: 000783126: Employee Exposed to Hydrofluoric Acid– Report ID: 0452110– Inspection: 104343611

� You may choose to present this training information in a lecture format, or make the training presentation interactive byengaging your class in discussions that will help them identify the facts of the case, the potential causes of the accident, andfuture accident prevention measures. In either case, students will benefit by learning from a real-life scenario.

� Before beginning the session, print and make copies of the one-page Case Study Student Handout, which is provided on thedisc. The Case Study Student Handout can be used as a worksheet during the training session or as a take-away reminderonce the training session is complete.

� Also, print and make copies of the Case Study Quiz, which is provided on the disc as a fully customizable Word document.The students can take the quiz at the end of the training session in order to help reinforce the information presented. Note thatthe same quiz is included at the end of this PowerPoint presentation for discussion during class.

� Consider taking pictures of chemical labels, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and Personal Protective Equipment(PPE) used in your workplace. You can add these pictures to the presentation by inserting them into existing slides orcreating new slides.

Speaker’s Notes:� Welcome everyone. Today we will conduct a Case Study of an actual accident that was investigated by the Occupational

Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This is an actual tragic workplace accident that had real-life implications forthe worker, the worker’s family, co-workers, and the employer. The Case Study may be disturbing and may even involvea fatality.

� The objective of this training session is not to scare you or make you feel sick. The intention is to learn from the accident andtake steps to prevent a similar accident from changing our lives.

� The purpose of this training session is to teach and reinforce the importance of Hazard Communication, Chemical Safety,and MSDSs in our workplace to prevent tragic accidents.

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11016915 ©2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.

Let’s Look at the Stats

�32 million workers exposed to 650,000hazardous chemicals in 3 million workplaces

�Health risks include:– Heart ailments– CNS, kidney, or

lung damage

– Sterility– Cancer– Burns

Speaker’s Notes:� Let’s take a look at why we need the Hazard Communication Standard. Chemicals pose a wide range of

health effects, and the hazards are far reaching.� About 32 million workers are exposed every day on the job to more than 650,000 existing

chemicals—and hundreds of new chemicals are introduced each year. About 3 million workplaces acrossthe United States use chemicals regularly.

� Exposure to these chemicals without taking proper precautions can be very hazardous. Effects can happenimmediately—called “short-term” effects, or they can happen over months or years—called “long-term”effects.

� Health risks include heart ailments, damage to your Central Nervous System, kidneys, or lungs, sterility,cancer, and burns to your skin or eyes.

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Let’s Look at the Stats (cont.)

�Physical risks include:– Fires

– Other accidents

– Explosions

Speaker’s Notes:� Physical hazards include fires and explosions, plus other things like property damage.� The Hazard Communication Standard was set up by OSHA to give employees the information they need

to work safely with chemicals.

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Take a Look at the Facts

�Employee, a welder, isassigned to clean screens

�Aluminum brightener withhydrofluoric acid is used

�No PPE is provided

�No training is provided

Background for the Trainer:� Pass out the Case Study Student Handout. You may have the students read the accident description

to themselves before discussing it in the class, or you may use the bullet points on the slide and thespeaker’s notes below to describe the accident.

Speaker’s Notes:� An employee, who is a welder by his usual occupation, is assigned by his supervisor to clean some

screens.� The employee is given an aluminum brightener compound that contains 12.5% hydrofluoric acid.

Hydrofluoric acid is more dangerous than most other acids. It readily penetrates the skin to reach thebones. It destroys soft tissue and decalcifies the bone. In addition to skin contact burns, it might alsocause systemic fluoride poisoning. Hydrofluoric acid at lower concentrations might not produce pain untilhours after the exposure, which means exposure might not be detected until after serious tissue damage isalready done.

� The employee is not given any personal protective equipment to use when cleaning the screens with thealuminum brightener.

� The employee does not have any training on the hazards of this substance. The employee has no trainingon MSDSs. The employer does not have a written Hazard Communication Program.

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Take a Look at the Facts (cont.)

�Employee’s fingersbegin to tighten

�Employee asksfor rubber gloves

�Employee reviewsthe chemical label

Speaker’s Notes:� After working with the aluminum brightener for a while, the employee’s fingers begin to tighten and

get stiff.� Once his fingers begin to tighten, the employee reads the label on the container, which advises the use of

rubber gloves.� The employee asks his supervisor for some rubber gloves. He receives the gloves, puts them on and goes

back to work cleaning the screens with the aluminum brightener.

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Take a Look at the Facts (cont.)

�Employee requests first aid for finger pain�Later, employee’s arm becomes numb�Surgery is required to remove the nail of

right middle finger

Speaker’s Notes:� A little while later, the employee’s fingers begin to hurt more, so he seeks first-aid attention at his

workplace and then he goes home.� On his way home, the employee’s entire arm becomes numb and he seeks further medical attention.� He is hospitalized and requires surgery to remove the nail of his right middle finger.

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What Do You Think Went Wrong?

�When should chemical hazard training beprovided?

�Who is responsible for ensuring that employeesuse PPE?

�What type of gloves should have been used?�Where can you find out about a chemical’s

hazards?�How should chemical contact with skin be treated?

Background for the Trainer:� Use the questions on this slide to elicit discussion.� Training options: After reviewing this slide and the accident description, give the class 5 to 10 minutes

to discuss the accident description in small groups, or ask the students to try to determine some of thefacts, potential causes, and possible prevention measures. In either case, use the Case Study StudentHandout as a way to encourage discussion as you go through this presentation.

Speaker’s Notes:� Let’s take a few minutes and, using the Case Study Student Handout, work in groups to try to determine

the facts of the accident, the potential causes of the accident, and possible prevention measures. Then wewill review the Case Study together in class.

� Consider some of the questions on this slide when discussing the Case Study in your groups.

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Let’s Review the Causes

�Employee doing taskoutside of normaljob duties

�No training onchemical hazards

�No gloves were worn

Background for the Trainer:� Quite often there are underlying reasons that contribute to a worker committing an unsafe act. Other

issues to consider when investigating accidents might include training, written procedures, machinery notoperating properly, tools or personal protective equipment not readily available, pressure frommanagement to speed up production, etc.

Speaker’s Notes:� Now let’s take a look at some of the reasons that this accident happened. The employee was assigned to a

task outside of his normal job duties. He is normally a welder and was assigned to clean screens. He didnot receive any specific training on this task. His supervisor just brought the aluminum brightener to himand told him to use it to clean the screens.

� The employee was not trained on chemical hazards. As a welder, he was accustomed to working withcertain materials and knew the hazards of his normal job. However, he did not know the hazards of usingthis aluminum brightener.

� Because he did not know the hazards associated with the aluminum brightener, he did not even considerthe need for PPE such as rubber gloves. He made an assumption—since the supervisor did not provideany protective gear, he did not need any gear.

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Let’s Review the Causes (cont.)

�Employee did not read the chemical label

�Employee had no knowledge of MSDSs

�Employee did not seek medical attentionright away

�Company did not have a written HazardCommunication Program

Speaker’s Notes:� Because the employee did not receive any chemical hazard training, he was not aware of the importance

of reading the labels of chemical containers—especially before using the chemical for the first time. Theonly thing that made him think about reading the label was the fact that his fingers began to tighten.

� The employee did not have any knowledge of MSDSs. If he had read the MSDS or the chemical label, hewould have discovered the hazards of this chemical and the importance of protecting his hands.

� The employee should have sought medical assistance right away when his fingers began to tighten up. Hedid read the label and saw that gloves were required; however, he should have looked at the symptoms ofskin contact with the chemical and realized that he needed to seek medical attention before the injury gotworse. If this information was not on the label, it would have been on the MSDS.

� The company did not have a written Hazard Communication Program, which would have listed ahazardous material inventory, explained MSDSs and chemical labels, outlined a chemical trainingprogram, and discussed nonroutine tasks and contractor safety.

� Can you think of any other causes that might have contributed to this accident?

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Hazard Communication

�Right to know about chemical hazards

�Right to know how to protect yourself

�Written Hazard Communication Program

�Clear, prominent labeling on all chemicalcontainers

�MSDSs available

�List of hazardous chemicals in the workplace

Background for the Trainer:� Bring your company’s written Hazard Communication Program for employees to review or discuss.

Speaker’s Notes:� OSHA’s (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) Hazard Communication standard gives

employees the right to know about the hazards of the chemicals that they work with.� OSHA’s standard also gives you the right to know how to protect yourself from the hazards of those

chemicals. Protection might come in the form of ventilation, limited time allowed to work with a certainchemical, or wearing PPE.

� OSHA requires employers to have a written Hazard Communication Program. This program covers topicssuch as hazardous material inventory, MSDSs, chemical labels, chemical training program, nonroutinetasks, and contractor safety.

� Employers are required to make sure all containers are properly labeled. Also, make sure chemicals arenever put into containers normally used for beverages, such as milk jugs or water bottles.

� Employers are required to have MSDSs for all hazardous materials in the workplace. The MSDSs mustbe located such that they are available for employee access at any time.

� Employers must also have a list of the hazardous chemicals that are used in the workplace so thatemployees know what chemicals are in their area. Many employers often use the index to their MSDSbook as the list of chemicals.

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MSDSs and Labels

�Chemical identity

�Manufacturer information

�Physical and health hazards

�Special handling instructions

�Protective measuressuch as PPE

�First aid, fire response, spill cleanup

Speaker’s Notes:� MSDSs and chemical container labels will often have similar information, although the MSDS will

contain more details. Reading the label is important, and if you have any questions or if any informationon the label is not clear, be sure to read the MSDS.

� The label and MSDS will obviously contain the identity of the chemical. This might include the productname, chemical family name, etc.

� Manufacturer’s information will include name, address, and phone number of the manufacturer as well asemergency phone numbers.

� Physical hazards might include flammable, explosive, caustic, etc. Health hazards might includesymptoms of short-term and long-term exposure, routes of entry, target organs, etc.

� Special handling instructions include information on storage such as temperature or exposure to light,dispensing instructions such as proper grounding, and any special drum or container-handlinginstructions.

� Protective measures include PPE requirements as well as recommended engineering controls likeventilation.

� Emergency response instructions are also included—first aid for medical emergencies, fire response, andspill cleanup recommendations.

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Don’t Let It Happen to You

�Do not do a task outsideof your normal job unlessyou receive training first

�Understand thehazards of chemicalsyou work with

�Become familiar with MSDSs

Speaker’s Notes:� Let’s take a look at what we can do to prevent a similar incident from happening at our facility.� Before doing a task that is outside of your normal job functions, make sure you understand all the hazards

associated with that task—especially chemical hazards. Do not use a new chemical until you know thehazards of that chemical and how to protect yourself from those hazards.

� Take the time to learn more about the chemicals you use on a regular basis in your normal job functions.Know the hazards and how to protect yourself.

� Become familiar with MSDSs. Know where they are located in your workplace. Know how to use theindex or other method used in your workplace to find a specific chemical. Finally, become familiar withthe format of MSDSs. Learn how to find specific information such as health hazards, PPE, symptoms ofover exposure, and first aid.

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Don’t Let It Happen to You (cont.)

�Read chemical labels

�Wear necessary PPE

�Know symptomsof overexposure

�Learn first-aidprocedures

Speaker’s Notes:� Develop a habit of reading chemical labels before using a chemical. Many labels have the same detailed

information that you can find in the MSDS, including health hazards, PPE requirements, first aid, etc. Byat least reading the label on a chemical container, you will understand the hazards and be able to protectyourself.

� Wear PPE. Protect yourself from the hazards of that chemical by wearing gloves, eye protection, boots,protective clothing, respirators, etc., as recommended by the chemical manufacturer. Know the symptomsof overexposure so that you know when you have been overexposed. Understand how you would feel ifyou breathed too many chemical fumes or what the chemical will do to your skin so that you can seekmedical attention as soon as you feel the symptoms.

� Learn the first-aid procedures for overexposure to the chemicals you work with. Typical first aid forchemical exposure includes getting fresh air if you inhale the chemicals, flushing your eyes and washingyour skin for eye and skin contact, and seeking medical attention if the chemical is ingested.

� Are there any questions? Thank you for your attention.

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Quiz

1. OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard givesemployees the right to know about chemicalhazards. True or False

2. Name two places you can find information aboutchemicals.

3. What is the first-aid procedure if you get a chemicalon your skin?

4. MSDSs are locked up and available only duringlunch breaks. True or False

Background for the Trainer:� Remind employees that the quiz is to encourage further discussion and to help you, the trainer, be sure

that everyone understands what was discussed.� Print copies of the quiz for participants to take on their own, or go over the questions as part of the

training session.

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Quiz (cont.)

5. What can you do to protect yourself from the hazardsof a chemical?

6. When using a chemical for the first time, what shouldyou do?

7. How will you know if you are overexposed to achemical?

8. Where can you find the list of hazardous chemicalsfor your workplace?

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Quiz Answers

1. Q. OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard givesemployees the right to know about chemical hazards.

A. True.2. Q. Name two places you can find information about

chemicals.A. Container labels, MSDSs.

3. Q. What is the first-aid procedure if you get a chemicalon your skin?

A. Wash with soap and water.

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Quiz Answers (cont.)

4. Q. MSDSs are locked up and available only duringlunch breaks.

A. False, MSDSs must be available to employeesat all times.

5. Q. What can you do to protect yourself from thehazards of a chemical?

A. Wear PPE.

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6. Q. When using a chemical for the first time, whatshould you do?

A. Learn the chemical hazards by reading the labeland MSDS.

7. Q. How will you know if you are overexposedto a chemical?

A. Know the symptoms of exposure, or what thechemical will do to you.

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8. Q. Where can you find the list of hazardouschemicals for your workplace?

A. It varies, depending on the workplace.

hazard communicationâ€” the case of the unknown chemical hazard

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