The purpose of hazard communication is to inform employees of the hazards associated with chemicals in their workplace, and to ensure the safe use, handling and disposal of hazardous chemicals.
IU has developed a hazard communication program and training to comply with the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).
The program requires departments to do the following:
- Inventory. Keep an inventory of chemicals and products that they currently have in stock
- Labels. Label chemicals and products properly to show the hazards to employees
- Safety Data Sheets. Maintain a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) in the workplace for any chemical in their inventory. The SDS was designed to convey important safety hazard information and protection measures to anyone who may come in contact with a product, including employees, fire fighters
and other emergency personnel. IU must maintain an SDS for any chemical or product that has been in inventory for 30 years. - Training. Train all employees who handle chemical products in the workplace on labeling requirements and how to read and use an SDS.