Hazard

Communication

Online ENTER
Training

The HazCom Standard Protects

Workers
To comply with the Illinois Department of Labor
regulations, ISU recognizes OSHA regulations. The
OSHA HazCom standard requires ISU to protect its
workers from the dangers of hazardous materials in
the workplace. As a means to protect you, this online
training has been developed to cover the basics of the
University program. Following the online training is a
short quiz, to be submitted.

Written Policy
ISU has developed a written
Hazard Communication
Program that is also
available to be viewed by all
applicable employees. Your
supervisor has a copy
tailored to your worksite.
This lists the specific means
of communicating hazards
to you about chemicals! If
you are unsure of its
whereabouts, ask your
supervisor.

HazCom is about Material Safety

Hazard Communication
involves the communication of
hazards about chemicals to
employees, also known as the
Right To Know.
ISU has a HazCom program
that each affected employee
should be familiarized with.
It is the responsibility of the
department, as well as your
own to handle chemicals
safely, understand chemical
labels, and understand the
MSDS.

Your Right To Know

As part of the Right To Know program, the
following will be looked at:
5 Elements of Your RTK Program
Written
Policies

Chemical
Inventory

Your RTK
Program

Training &
Safety
Awareness

MSDS
Labelin

Lets Get Started!!!

MSDS Give You Detailed

Information
Material Safety Data Sheets give you more
information than what is on the label. The
information includes:

Chemical name and common or brand name

Emergency and first-aid procedures
List of physical and chemical characteristics
Safe Handling
Health & Physical Hazards
Date of preparation of MSDS
or last change to it
Control measures (ie. PPE)
Routes of entry
PEL-Permissible Exposure Limit

MSDSs are Always

Available
A Material Safety Data
Sheet comes with every
ISU purchase. The
supervisor or department
has a designated area
where the MSDSs are to
be located.
If you cannot locate the
MSDS, contact your
supervisor. Your
supervisor will call to
locate one to make it
readily available and

Labels
The label on a bleach container
tells you the contents, the hazard
associated with the chemical, and
what part of your body it affects.
The unlabeled container could be
water or it could be a strong acid.
You do not know what it is so you
do not know what precautions to
take. Remember, you should never
remove a label from a container!
If you have any doubt about a
label, contact your supervisor or
EHS.

Labels Provide Basic

Information
The label must have the following:
The chemicals name
Hazards of the chemicals
The manufactures name and address
If a label gets removed, destroyed or
covered, you must put a new label with the
above information on it
H2O2
Hazards:
Siigma Manf.

Secondary Labels Protect

Others
Make sure others have the benefit
of the same information that you
had. If you put some chemical into
a new container, label it with
information from the original label.
Only containers that you fill and
use up yourself over one shift may
be with out labels.

What is hazardous?
Click on the
substance you
would consider
most hazardous.

Labeled
contain
er of
bleach
This
container
is
acceptable,
you know
what it is!

Unlabele
d
containe
r of
bleach
Right! The less
you know
about a
material, the
more
hazardous it is

What is Considered A
Hazard?
Physical hazard:

Combustible liquid
Compressed gas
Explosive
Flammable
Organic Peroxide
Oxidizer
Pyrophoric
Unstable
Water-reactive

Health hazard:

Carcinogens
Toxic or highly toxic
Reproductive toxins
Irritants
Corrosives
Sensitizers
Hepatotoxins
Nephrotoxins
Neurotoxins
Damage to lung, skin, eyes
mucous membranes
Agents that act on
hematopoietic system

Hazardous Materials are used all

over Campus
The following are some of the hazardous
materials found on campus:

Asbestos
Chlorine
Cleaners
Freon
Paint
Solvents
Sulfuric Acid
Water treatment chemicals

Physical and Health

Hazards
The physical state affects the hazards
Physical state is one of the
factors in determining how
hazardous a material is and
in deciding what
precautions, such as
personal protective
equipment, are necessary.

Materials whose physical state can

be hazardous include:
Combustible liquids (Low flashpoints between 100F200F)
Compressed gas (Gases in containers under pressure)
Explosives (Substance that react rapidly and violently)
Flammable (Materials with flashpoint below 100F)
Oxidizers (Materials that give off oxygen and simulate
combustion

Hazardous Chemicals Affect

you:
Click on the buttons to see the effects
hazardous chemicals have on you.
Make you sick (toxic/Irritant)
ie. Silica Gel, glycine

Catch fire or explode (flammable, combustible, or

reactive chemicals)
ie. Pine oil, gasoline

BOOM!!

Chemicals affect the body

Chemicals that enter your body affect it.
Different kinds and doses of chemicals can
have different effects. The effects can be
acute or chronic and also systematic or
localized.

Lets take a closer look

at the differences!!

What is the difference?

Localized

Site of contact
On body

Systemat
ic

Widespread

Acute

Short-term

Throughout
body

Health problems

Chronic

Long-term
Health
problems

This is like an
organic coming in
contact with your
skin and burning
it!

This is like inhaling

vapors and causing
damage to your lung
This is like the
effects alcohol has
on the brain and
kidneys.
This is like the
effects of alcohol
on the liver over
time.

Chemicals build up in the

body
Some chemicals travel in the body to a
particular organ where they build up. You call
this organ the chemicals target organ.
Carbon monoxide targets the
blood
Lead targets the blood, nervous,
and reproductive system
While there, the chemical may prevent that
organ or body system from working at its best.

What are the routes of

entry?
How do chemicals enter the body? Check
each to look for the best answer
Breathing is the only important way
chemicals enter the body
There is a better answer, check the other
choice.

Most commonly by breathing but also by

passing through the skin (cuts or rashes), or
by Yes!
swallowing.
You can prevent chemicals from entering
your body if you are careful, follow safe work
practices, and wear PPE when necessary.

Beware of Oxygen in the

Atmosphere
Asphyxiation can occur through inhalation if there is not
enough oxygen (O2) in the area or if something prevents
your body from getting the oxygen it needs.
This happens when gas fills up a room or space and
pushes all the air out, there will not be enough oxygen to
breathe.
Asphyxiation decreases the amount of oxygen to your
brain. This can damage the brain or cause death.
Example: Carbon Monoxide attaches to
blood cells and prevents the cells from
carrying O2 to the rest of the body, this is
a chemical asphyxiant

Exposure to Chemicals
An exposure is the amount of a
chemical you come in contact with.
This is usually measured by its
concentration in the air.
Skin exposure is more difficult to
measure than exposure through
breathing.

Click on Each to see who is most

affected by exposure

Yes! The smaller

person is likely to
take in a bigger
dose per pound of
body weight.

Not exactly, the

larger person
may still be
affected but
less extreme.

Be Aware of your
Surroundings!!
Use primarily sight and
monitoring devices to detect
for hazard. Smell is an
unreliable indicator of
chemicals. You may get
used to the smell and no
longer be able to detect it.
Also, some chemicals do not
have a smell!
Example: The presence of Radon & Asbestos can
only be determined by actual tests. Carbon
Monoxide cannot be detected by smell either.

Chemicals Affect you!

Chemicals can enter your body in 3
different ways. So be aware!
Inhalation
Ingestion
Absorption

Dusts, Mists, and Gases can be

hazardous
Dusts, mists, vapors, gases,
droplets, and fumes all float
in the air you breathe. They
can settle on your skin, or get
into your eyes, nose, lungs,
mouth. They can irritate,
damage, or build up in your
body.
A common dust like flour or
even fluorescent bulb dust
can irritate your nose, throat,
and lungs if you inhale a lot of
it.

Liquids Can Irritate or Burn

Liquids can spill, run,
splatter, and splash.
Chemical burns or
irritation can occur if
certain liquids splash in
your eyes or if they came
into contact with it.
Skin contact with some
chemicals can produce
rashes or your skin can
absorb them making you
ill.

Check each to see which is

right
Click on each precaution to see which is
the most appropriate for non-volatile
liquids:
Splash proof goggles, chemical protective
glovesRight! Splash proof goggles will prevent
chemicals from touching your skin or
eyes

Gas-tight goggles or full-face respirator,

chemical protective clothing, store in cool,
well ventilated
WRONG! area
Use a wet mop or HEPA vacuum, to clean up
spills, wear a HEPA filtered respirator, and
pour out the contents under an exhaust hood

Gases/Vapors Float and Move in

Air
Gases float in the air at normal
temperatures and pressures.
Because gases float, they are
hard to contain if released.
Also, they move in air, you can
inhale them. This is
dangerous if they are
poisonous. Gases can also
irritate or burn tissue they
contact. Chlorine is not only a
poison by inhalation, it is also
very irritating to the skin.

Vapors can fuel a fire

Some organic substance such
as alcohol and gasoline, are
good fuel for fires. You call
the temperature at which
enough liquid evaporates to
fuel a fire the vapors flash
point.
The warmer the room, the
more a liquid will evaporate.
When there is enough vapor,
a spark or other source can
ignite it. A fire in an enclosed
space can cause an explosion

What burns when liquid fuel

ignites?
The vapors that have evaporated from
the liquid
Yes! The vapors are what burn when a
liquid ignites.

The liquid itself burns

Not quite!

Compressed Gases are Under

Pressure
When you put gas into a
container, you push it
into a smaller and
smaller space. This
increases the pressure in
the container. If the
container leaks, released
gas can cause the
container to travel at
great speeds that can
cause injuries.

Check this out!

Choose the chemical you think is a gas:

Carbon Monoxide
Right! Carbon Monoxide is a
gas

Gasoline
Not exactly! Gasoline is a liquid at room
temperature. However, it may evaporate
and release vapors in the air. Thats why
you can smell it when you pump gas.

Solids have Form

Unlike gases, solids take on a definite
form at normal temperatures and
pressures. If a solid breaks or if you grind
it, you produce a dust or a powder. Dusts
mix in the air and you can inhale them.
This can be hazardous. For example, if
you inhale dust from a powdered drain
cleaner that is corrosive, it could burn
your throat, nose, and lungs.

Solids have Form Cont

If you heat a solid to a high enough
temperature fumes form. Fumes mix in
the air as dust do and you can inhale
them. This can be hazardous. When you
heat welding flux or other metals, you
produce fumes. Flux cord arc welding
produces the highest amount of fumes,
and shielding metal arc welding the next
highest.

Click each button to see which one may be

present in more than one state:
Carbon Monoxide
Not this one

Asbestos
Not this one either!

Alcohol
Right! Alcohol is a liquid that evaporates into a
vapor. Asbestos is a fiber and Carbon Monoxide
is a gas.

Dusts can be Explosive!!

At very high concentrations and under the right
conditions, some dusts can be explosive.
The smaller the particle, the more reactive the dust.
As the materials become smaller, they disperse and
remain suspended more easily, increasing the
potential for ignition and propagation of the reaction.
An example is excess organic material created from
dumping corn into a silo or small fibers.

Click on each button to see which Precaution

is most Appropriate for a Dust or Powdered
Material:
Splash-Proof Goggles, chemical protective
gloves
Not quite
Gas tight goggles or full-face respirator ,
chemical protective clothing, store in a cool,
well ventilated
Notarea.
quite
Use a wet mop or HEPA vacuum to clean up
spills, wear a HEPA-filtered respirator, empty
the vacuum under an exhaust hood
Right! Dusts and powders in the air can harm you
when inhaled. The use of wet mopping, HEPA
vacuum,and HEPA
filtered respirators minimize
dust exposure.

By-Products can also be

produced:
By-products of work can release hazardous
chemicals
Hazardous by-products can be the result of
mixing different chemicals
An example of a hazardous by-product

Bleach and ammonia (chlorine gas is formed)

Sodium hydroxide and nitric acid (Caustics and acids)

Always use Safe Work Practices

Use these safe work
practices when handling
chemicals:
Do not spill, splash, or
drop them
Use flammable and
combustibles away from
open flames, sparks,
and other sources of
heat
Do not eat or smoke on
the job
Wash your hands before
going on break or eating

Protect yourself from

Solvents
Solvents can produce skin
irritation or be inhaled as a
vapor, which causes
adverse health effects. To
protect yourself from
solvent vapors, first use
adequate ventilation. You
can absorb solvents
through the skin, which also
causes adverse health
effects. Proper Personal
Protective Equipment must
be used.

Protecting Yourself
The proper Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) must be used to provide barriers
between you and the solvents you use.
Examples of solvents include:

Alcohol
Benzene
Mineral spirits
Trichloroethane
Turpentine

Click on each statement to see

which is right
Solvents are liquids, such as water, that
dissolve solids
Wrong, keep looking

Solvents are liquids, such as water, that

dissolve other liquids.
Wrong, Keep looking

Both of the above are true

Yes! Solids are liquids that can dissolve liquids and
solids

Flammables can ignite at

normal Temperatures
Most flammable liquids have
flash points below 100F.
Combustible liquids have a
flash point above 100F.
Such liquids are dangerous
because their flash points may
be near room temperature.
Remember! the lower the
flash point, the more
hazardous it is.

Check to see which Chemical is

most Hazardous!
Gasoline whose flash point is -45F
Yes! The flash point of -45F means that at
extremely cold temperatures, there are enough
vapors to ignite. Vapors from gasoline stored in an
unheated shed could catch fire.

Mineral spirits whose flash point has a

range of 105-140F
Not exactly!

Lets look at safe work procedures for handling

flammables like solvents. Click on each to see
the best precautions for using flammables and
combustibles.

Keep them away from other chemicals

Not unless they are also reactive with those
chemicals

Keep them away from flames, sparks, hot

equipment, or other possible ignition
ources
Yes! This is a key safe work practice when you work
with flammables. For example, cleaning tools with a
solvent in an area where vapors could travel to a
water heater and ignite.

Wear gloves and other protective gear

Not unless the chemicals also have some toxic
property

Acids and Bases will burn skin and

eyes
A scale, called the pH scale, measures how
acidic or basic a chemical is. Basic (caustic)
chemicals have a pH between 8 and 14. Very
caustic chemicals can burn your skin and
eyes.

Ie. Battery
acid
Sulfuric acid

Ie. Saliva

Ie. Bleach

Pure water

Oven
cleaner

Acids and Bases will burn skin and eyes

Cont
Acids have pH readings between 1 and 6. Very
acidic chemicals can also burn the skin and eyes
and eat quickly through materials. Inhaled acid or
caustic dusts can irritate or burn your respiratory
track.

Strong Acids and Bases are Corrosive

You call the ability of a chemical to eat into a
material corrosivity. The farther the pH of a
material is from 7, the more corrosive it is.
Corrosive materials are hazardous. You must
handle them with caution and wear the proper
PPE.

Check to see which is most

corrosive!
An acid, pH 3
Not exactly

An acid, pH 5
Not exactly

A base, pH 13
Yes! The most corrosive substance has a pH
farthest from 7. A pH of 13 is farther from a pH of
7 than either 3 or 5.

Sensitization to a Chemical
Have you ever walked into an area where paints or various
chemicals have been used and find yourself becoming
itchy, swollen, teary, or even tight in the chest?
Some individuals may have worked around these same
chemicals for years and then find out that the reaction was
suddenly caused by these same chemicals. This is
becoming sensitized.
Once sensitized, you may react to that chemical for the rest
of your life! You may be allergic.

Personal Protective
Equipment
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the
barrier between you and the hazardous
material you are working with. There are
many factors to consider when choosing the
proper PPE.
Type of PPE
For example:
Material PPE should
consist of
Durability
Care of PPE
Availability of the PPE
Expense

Lets take a closer

Check the MSDS

The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is
where you can find out which PPE is right
for the particular chemical. This is why it
is important to know the location of the
MSDS. If questions still arise about the
PPE, ask your supervisor.

Choose the Proper

Material
PPE is used to protect you from injury toeyes,
the
hands feet face skin and
,
,
,
,
head.
To prevent skin absorption you must wear
personal protective equipment made of the
proper material. Choosing the right gloves is
especially important to protect the hands.
Look on to see the importance of glove
use

Why you should wear

Gloves!
If you try to use regular rubber or latex
grocery store gloves, many chemicals can
pass right through these. Gasoline and other
solvents can eat away the material. Only
certain gloves can offer the proper
protection of certain chemicals

Wear the right PPE

Face protection is necessary when splashing or
flying pieces may be encountered and even
when working around dust.
Equipment that can be used includes:
Face shield
Safety eye glasses
Eye goggles

Look on to see the importance of eye protectio

Why you should wear Eye Protection

Your eyes are very sensitive & delicate and
therefore are easy to injure. You do not want
to get chemicals in your eyes!

Respirators Protect you from hazards in the

Air
You can inhale many substances in many
work operations. You can inhale substances
in various forms, including:
Vapors
Gases
Dusts
Mists
Metallic Fumes
Fibers

Respiratory Protection is necessary when

hazardous chemicals reach unacceptable
levels in the workplace.

Respiratory Protection
Respirators protect:
The highly absorbent tissues in your nose
from being damaged
Your lungs if chemicals enter through
inhalation. If chemicals enter your lungs it
can cause damage or be transported to the
rest of your body

If you think you need a

respirator:
If you think you need a respirator, talk with
your supervisor or call Environmental Health &
Safety located on campus. If a respirator is
needed, you will become part of the
Respiratory Protection Program.

Storage of Chemicals
Store all chemicals and waste in a safe and
secure area. The chemicals should be stored in a
structurally sound, good condition container with
a tight fitting cap. The container should be
compatible with the material. Milk jugs or soda
bottles are not acceptable.
Leave 10-20% headspace in the container to
prevent pressure build up.

Chemical Storage
Certain chemicals should not be stored
together. For example:
Halogenated separated from nonhalogenated
Solids separated from liquids

Solvents and low boiling point

chemicals generate vapors and should
be stored in a well ventilated area.

Chemical Waste
Remember!
Always try to minimize the waste generated by using
alternatives when possible.
Never dump hazardous or other chemical waste down
the drain. For example:
Toxic, Flammable, Mercury, Gasoline, Acids, or Caustics

Never leave waste in an area that is subject to public

contact.

Hazardous Waste Pick-up

If there is hazardous waste that needs to be disposed of,
contact EHS (438-8325)
EHS will pick up the waste and store it prior to final
disposition.
The hazardous waste must be properly labeled.
If it is in the original container with original label, that label will
be sufficient.
If you need a label, contact EHS for a replacement. Include the
following information:
Content
Amount
Date
Generator
Hazards/Precautions

Request for Pick-Up

If you need to have a waste
pick-up, contact EHS or
download the form from the
EHS web page.
Complete the form and return it
to EHS.
Percent concentrations are needed for
disposal.
If the content is unknown, the
generator pays for the analysis.

The Waste will be picked up

within one week.

Ask for Help!!

If you are unsure about the use and
handling of a chemical, ask your supervisor
or someone who does have knowledge
about it.
The Environmental Health & Safety Office is
here to help you! Contact them at 4388325 if you have any questions.

So should you do
next??

Whats Next?
Your supervisor is to conduct specific
training with you regarding the specific
duties and exposures you are around.
Inquire with your supervisor about job
specific HazCom training.
Now it is time to see if you understood
the basic concepts. Lets take a short
quiz.
QUIZ