This procedure is designed to protect college workers, students, student workers, and others from any undue exposure to a chemical used by the college that is defined as a physical or health hazard. It delineates the responsibilities of supervisors, instructors, staff, and the Facilities Management Department to evaluate and communicate with regard to hazards. This procedure does not apply to tobacco, wood products, foods, drugs, cosmetics, or other items intended for personal consumption or use.
Oregon Administrative Rule 437-002-0360 states: "… the purpose of this section is to ensure that the hazards of all chemicals produced or imported are classified, and that information concerning the classified hazards is transmitted to employers and employees. The requirements of this section are intended to be consistent with the provisions of the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), Revision 3. The transmittal of information is to be accomplished by means of comprehensive hazard communication programs, which are to include container labeling and other forms of warning, safety data sheets and employee training."
Identifying Hazardous Chemicals
A list of all hazardous chemicals with a potential for employee exposure is available at from the Facilities Office, (541) 463-5000 or facilitiesoffice@lanecc.edu. Detailed information about the physical, health, and other hazards of each chemical is included in a Safety Data Sheet (SDS); the product identifier for each chemical on the list matches and can be easily cross-referenced with the product identifier on its label and on its Safety Data Sheet.
Identifying Containers of Hazardous Chemicals
All hazardous chemical containers used at this workplace will either have the original manufacturer’s label--that includes a product identifier, an appropriate signal word, hazard statement(s), pictogram(s), precautionary statement(s) and the name, address, and telephone number of the chemical manufacturer, importer or other responsible party--OR a label with the appropriate label elements just described; OR workplace labeling that includes the product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or combination that provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals. Appropriate secondary labels can be printed from the online SDS binder for your department. Obtain your department binder url from your Safety Data Sheet Coordinator or from the Facilities Office, (541) 463-5000, facilitiesoffice@lanecc.edu. Departmental Safety Data Sheet Coordinators will ensure that all containers are appropriately labeled. No container will be released for use until this information is verified. Workplace labels must be legible and in English. Departmental Safety Data Sheet Coordinators will provide information in other languages upon request.
Keeping Safety Data Sheets (Previously Known as Material Safety Data Sheets)
Safety Data Sheets are readily available to all employees during their work shifts. Employees can review Safety Data Sheets for all hazardous chemicals used at this workplace by using the online SDS binder for their department. Obtain your department binder url from your Safety Data Sheet Coordinator or from the Facilities Office, (541) 463-5000, facilitiesoffice@lanecc.edu.
The Safety Data Sheets are updated and managed by the Departmental Safety Data Sheet Coordinator. If a Safety Data Sheet is not available, request that your Departmental Safety Data Sheet Coordinator load it into the system.
Training Employees About Chemical Hazards
Before they start their jobs or are exposed to new hazardous chemicals, employees must attend a hazard communication training that covers the following topics:
College-wide training:
- An overview of the requirements in Oregon OSHA’s hazard communication rules. This overview can completed on the Vector Solutions Safety Training web page.
Department-specific training:
- Hazardous chemicals present in their workplace.
- Any operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals are used.
- The location of the written hazard communication plan and where it may be reviewed.
- How to understand and use the information on labels and in Safety Data Sheets.
- Physical and health hazards of the chemicals in their work areas.
- Methods used to detect the presence or release of hazardous chemicals in the work area.
- Steps we have taken to prevent or reduce exposure to these chemicals.
- How employees can protect themselves from exposure to these hazardous chemicals through use of engineering controls, work practices and personal protective equipment.
- An explanation of any special labeling present in the workplace.
- Emergency procedures to follow if an employee is exposed to these chemicals.
Department managers are responsible to ensure that employees receive this training. After attending the training, employees will sign the hazard communication training form verifying that they understand the above topics and how the topics are related to our hazard communication plan. Departments will keep these forms on file for all employees.
Student Training and Information
The instructor is responsible for advising students on the nature of hazardous chemicals that may be used in the classroom. Students should be made aware of this procedure and the location of Safety Data Sheets for chemicals used in their classroom environment.
Informing Employees Who Do Special Tasks
Before employees perform special (non-routine) tasks that may expose them to hazardous chemicals, their supervisors will inform them about the chemical hazards. Their supervisors also will inform them about how to control exposure and what to do in an emergency. The employer will evaluate the hazards of these tasks and provide appropriate controls including Personal Protective Equipment and additional training as required.
Informing Employees About Hazardous Chemicals in Pipes
This workplace follows the labeling requirements in OAR 437-002-0378 concerning the labeling of pipes. Before working in areas where hazardous chemicals are transferred through unlabeled pipes or where pipes are insulated with asbestos-containing material, employees will contact the Facilities Office at (541) 463-5000 for the following information:
- The chemicals in the pipes.
- The physical or health hazards of the chemicals present.
- The safe work practices necessary to prevent exposure.
Informing Contractors and Other Employers About Our Hazardous Chemicals
If employees of other employer(s) may be exposed to hazardous chemicals at our workplace (for example, employees of a construction contractor working on-site), it is the responsibility of the employee coordinating the contractor’s work to provide contractors and their employees with the following information:
- The identity of the chemicals, how to review our Safety Data Sheets, and an explanation of the container and pipe labeling system.
- Safe work practices to prevent exposure.
The employee coordinating the contractor’s work will also obtain a Safety Data Sheet for any hazardous chemical a contractor brings into the workplace.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) - written or printed material concerning a hazardous chemical that is prepared in accordance with the guidance provided in OAR 437-002-360.