Hazardous Materials

There are 4 main requirements in the OSHA regulations:

•Containers labeled as hazardous

•Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

•Written Hazard Plan (found in the department Environment of Care Manual)

•Employee education

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Hazardous Material- substance which may be a biological, chemical or radioactive risk to person/property, or may pose a risk of fire or explosion.

Container LabelingRecognize these pictures and words and know what they mean.

Flammable Radioactive Biohazard

Poisonous Corrosive

Other Things You Need to Know• If you are using a product for the first

time, read the warning label carefully. If the label is missing, tell your supervisor.

• Know what chemicals are in your work area and what precautions and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is needed when handling them (i.e., gloves, gowns, mask, goggles).

• If you manage or have contact with hazardous materials, drugs or waste, you must be trained in selecting, handling, storing, using, and disposing of these hazardous materials.

• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) should be readily available for each hazardous chemical used by your department.

• The MSDS for chemicals used in the Hospital are on line. Go to the home page on the intranet and click the MSDS tab on the left.

• There is also a “back up” copy of each MSDS available through Materials Management.

• Know how to read the MSDS.

So...what is an MSDS and what does it tell me?

Material Safety Data Sheet has vital information on the chemical/substance and its hazards. It contains the following information for your safety:

•The name of the manufacturer, the chemical’s name, and the emergency contact number in case of a spill or splash.

•The ingredients/formula and what the chemical looks like or how it is packaged.

•The chemical’s greatest hazard: fire, explosion, reaction with other substances, etc.

•Health hazard information and special equipment or precautions to be taken.

•How to handle spills and how to dispose of the chemical/agent.

Do you know the procedure to follow in case of a spill of an unknown substance or a known hazardous material?

Hazardous Substance Response

• If you discover a spill that you believe to be hazardous or questionable, dial “3333.”

• If the Spill Team determines that the spill can be handled internally, the clean up of the spill will be completed by them in accordance with the appropriate MSDS.

• If the Spill Team determines there is an immediate threat to personnel, they will direct evacuation of all personnel.