• Employee Training

General Training Requirements

Each employee who works with, or is potentially exposed to, hazardous chemicals will receive initial and refresher training on the Hazard Communication Standard and the safe use of hazardous chemicals. Such training will be provided by a competent individual familiar with the material. Additional training must be provided for employees whenever new or different hazardous materials are introduced into their work areas. This training will emphasize these elements:

o   Requirements of the new hazard communication regulation, including employee rights (e.g., employees receiving and sharing with their physician information on hazardous chemicals to which they may be exposed)

o   Information about the location and availability of the employer’s written hazard communication program

o   Identification of any operation in the employee work area where hazardous materials are present.

o   Information on how to obtain, read, and understand SDS and labels, including data on the physical and health hazards of the substances.

o   How to detect the presence or release of hazardous substances (e.g., appearance and odor)

o   Protective measures to be used, such as work practices, personal protective equipment, and emergency procedures.

• List of Hazardous Chemicals:

o   Current inventories of hazardous chemicals must be updated whenever new or different materials are received, or products are discontinued. Each area manager or supervisor is responsible for sending updates to the Office of the Vice President of Administrative Services. 

o   Materials that must be inventoried include cleaning agents, adhesives, copying supplies, art materials, paints, strippers, solders and welding supplies, fertilizers, pesticides, and compressed gases that present potential hazards according to the manufacturer’s SDS.

• Proposition 65:

o   A clear and reasonable warning must be given to all individuals prior to any exposure to any listed chemical that can cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. 

o   Under Proposition 65, warnings are required for consumer product exposures, occupational exposures, and environmental exposures.

• Safety Data Sheets (SDS):

o   Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are designed to inform the user of the potential hazards associated with the materials you are using. The information provided on the SDS can help to protect the employee and enable them to respond appropriately to emergency situations.

o   The new format requires 16 specific sections, ensuring consistency in the presentation of important protection information. Each department, shop or operational unit must have available an SDS for every substance on their hazardous chemical inventory.