OBJECTIVE

To reduce the risk of injury and illness due to exposures to chemical based products during the course of work activities at the University of Florida. This program provides information to assist staff in identifying and evaluating hazardous chemicals in their workplace. Training requirements for all staff required to use chemical containing products are also outlined.

The requirements of this program are based on the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200 which has been revised to align with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.

AUTHORITY

By authority delegated from the University President, the Vice-President for Business Affairs is responsible for the safety of all University facilities. Under this authority, policies are developed to provide a safe teaching, research, service, housing and recreational environment.

POLICY

The Hazard Communication Program covers all University of Florida employees, students and non-employee affiliates who work with chemicals in non-laboratory settings.

All covered individuals are expected to follow the requirements pertaining to Safety Data Sheet (formerly known as Material Safety Data Sheet) review, training, labeling and safe chemical use as outlined in this program.

This policy does not apply to research laboratories where small quantities of chemicals are used on a non-production basis. Chemical safety in labs is enforced through the University’s Chemical Hygiene Plan.

Hazard Communication Definitions specific to this program are supplied for reference.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Written Hazard Communication Program

EH&S will develop and maintain this written document that provides an overview of the requirements of the Hazard Communication program.

Each Department is responsible for customizing the written program to include information specific to their workplace. The Hazard Communication Site Specific Information Sheet assists departments in customizing their hazard communication information.

• The specific information required to be provided includes:
• A written inventory of the hazardous chemicals known to be present in the workplace
• The name and contact information of the designated responsible party for that department.
• The location and access information for the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for each chemical containing product.
• The location of the department’s hazard communication training records.
• Emergency response procedures.

Labels

All containers of hazardous chemicals used in the workplace must be labeled.

The labels must be in English but warnings in foreign languages may be included to assist non-English speaking staff.

Labels must include the identity of the hazardous chemical as well as the signal word, hazard statement, pictogram(s) and precautionary statement(s) related to the product.

The Hazard Communication Pictogram Explanation Sheet provides information relevant to the pictograms required to be on container labels.

Secondary containers into which hazardous chemicals are transferred from labeled containers and which are intended for the immediate use of the employee who performs the transfer are exempt from the labeling requirements. Once the container is left unattended, it must be properly labeled.

Safety Data Sheets

The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provides relevant safety information and warnings applicable to hazardous chemicals.

The SDS must be readily available to all staff during their work shift via paper copy. Electronic access and other alternatives to maintaining paper copies of the SDS are permitted as long as no barriers to immediate access in each workplace are created by such options.

It is the responsibility of the designated hazard communication contact person or supervisor in each department to make sure the most recent SDS is present for review by staff.

The format of the SDS was standardized per Federal regulations approved in 2012. This means that over the next two years, companies will be issuing updated Safety Data Sheets meeting the new format for their products.

Manufacturers are expected to provide the SDS for their products. The SDS is typically also available on the product manufacturer/distributor web site. Links to general SDS database sites can also be found on the UF EH&S web site.

Where employees must travel between workplaces during a shift, the safety data sheets may be kept at the primary workplace location. In this situation, staff in the field must be able to immediately obtain the required information in an emergency.

Employee Information and Training

All personnel must be supplied with information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new chemical hazard it introduced into their work area.

The following information must be provided to employees:

• The requirements of the Hazard Communication program.
• Any operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals are present.
• The location and availability of the written Hazard Communication program including the required list of hazardous chemicals and the safety data sheets for their work area.