Or-OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
(HCS, Right-to-Know Act) specifies that both employees and employers know
the identity and safety/health hazards of substances used in the work place,
in order to reduce occupational illnesses due to harmful chemical exposures
HCS requires manufacturers of
substances that are a health or physical hazard to prepare a Material Safety
Data Sheet (MSDS) and provide it to purchasers
Employers who use these substances
must retain the MSDS's and provide hazard training to all employees who may
be exposed
Exposure includes both normal
work operations and emergency situations
Most chemical products used at
OSU are considered hazardous
Exempted Products
Tobacco and tobacco products
Wood and wood products
Articles, manufactured items,
or products that do not release or otherwise result in exposure to hazardous
chemicals under normal conditions of use
Foods, drugs, and cosmetics (regulated
by FDA) intended for personal consumption or use by the employees in the work
place
Hazardous substance while in transport
regulated by DOT
What Is On A Material Safety Data
Sheet (MSDS)?
Identity of chemicals found in
the substance (chemical and trade names)
The immediate and long term health
effects of exposure
The routes of exposure and symptoms
of overexposure
The potential for fire, explosion,
and reactivity
Emergency procedures for spills,
fire, disposal, and first aid
OSU maintains a paper copy file
of all MSDS's in the EH&S office at Adams Hall
Employees can request specific
MSDS's from EH&S
In an emergency, OSU employees
may call Public Safety @ 7-3010 for 24 hour access to the MSDS data file
OSU Hazard Communication Program
EH&S is responsible to implement
and administer the University's Hazard Communication Program
All departments have been included
in order to comply with the rule
This written program is in the Safety
Procedures Handbook section of the Administrative Policies and Procedures
Manual
Employee Training
EH&S has a Right-to-Know training
program that is offered to all departments
Program
covers the contents of the data sheets, the basic information about chemical
toxicity, and how to avoid exposure
Further training is performed
on specific hazardous substances in each department or job classification
on request
Your Right-To-Know
If you are concerned about any
substance you are working with, call EH&S at 7-2273
EH&S can provide more complete
information, help interpret data sheets, and evaluate potential health effects
of exposure based on your job environment.
