Hazardous Substances

Regulations



Chemical hazards and toxic substances can cause a wide range of health
and physical hazards such as irritation, carcinogenicity, flammability
and corrosion. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) works to help regulate and control exposures to these hazards.


Regulation
To be able to guarantee the safety in the workplace, workers must have
understandable information regarding the identities and hazards of the
chemicals. According to OSHA, its Hazard Communication Standard
(HCS) requires the development and dissemination of the following
information:

Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to evaluate
the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import, and prepare
labels and safety data sheets to convey the hazard information to
their downstream customers;



All employers with hazardous chemicals in their workplaces must
have labels and safety data sheets for their exposed workers, and
train them to handle the chemicals appropriately. The training for
employees must also include information on the hazards of the
chemicals in their work area and the measures to be used to
protect themselves.
OSHA also sets enforceable permissible exposure limits (PELs) in 29 CFR
1910 Subpart Z, 1915 Subpart Z, 1926 Subparts D and Z in order to
protect workers against the health effects of exposure to hazardous
substances. Also included are limits on the airborne concentrations of
hazardous chemicals in the air. Nearly all OSHA PELs are 8-hour time-
weighted averages (TWA), though there are also Ceiling and Peak limits,
and many chemicals include a skin designation to warn against skin
contact. About 500 PELs have been established today.
Control
Engineering and work practice controls should be the primary way to
cut employee exposure to toxic chemicals. OSHA states that respiratory
protection is required to be used if engineering or work practice
controls are infeasible or while engineering controls are being
implemented.



Training
Employees may have HAZWOPER training to know, identify and prevent
hazardous substances in the workplace. Employers may advise
employees on how to get the HAZWOPER certification that they need
and the necessary job site training.







REFERENCE LINKS:
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hazardoustoxicsubstances/
https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=10099&p_table=STANDARDS
https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owasrch.search_form?p_doc_type=STANDARDS&p_toc_level=1&p
_keyvalue=1910#1910_Subpart_Z
https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owasrch.search_form?p_doc_type=STANDARDS&p_toc_level=1&p
_keyvalue=1915#1915_Subpart_Z
http://www.oshacampus.com/hazwoper-training/24-hours

IMAGE CREDITS:
Corbis
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