Definition:
The Right to Know Station is the designated place in your facility for maintaining the hazardous communication standard Safety Data sheets on all chemicals used at your facility.
Safety Data Sheet:
· The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires chemical manufacturers, distributors, or importers to provide Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) (formerly known as Material Safety Data Sheets or MSDSs) to communicate the hazards of hazardous chemical products. Each sheet is broken down into required sections as outline below by OSHA:
- Section 1, Identificationincludes product identifier; manufacturer or distributor name, address, phone number; emergency phone number; recommended use; restrictions on use.
- Section 2, Hazard(s) identificationincludes all hazards regarding the chemical; required label elements.
- Section 3, Composition/information on ingredientsincludes information on chemical ingredients; trade secret claims.
- Section 4, First-aid measuresincludes important symptoms/ effects, acute, delayed; required treatment.
- Section 5, Fire-fighting measureslists suitable extinguishing techniques, equipment; chemical hazards from fire.
- Section 6, Accidental release measureslists emergency procedures; protective equipment; proper methods of containment and cleanup.
- Section 7, Handling and storagelists precautions for safe handling and storage, including incompatibilities.
- Section 8, Exposure controls/personal protectionlists OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs); Threshold Limit Values (TLVs); appropriate engineering controls; personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Section 9, Physical and chemical propertieslists the chemical’s characteristics.
- Section 10, Stability and reactivitylists chemical stability and possibility of hazardous reactions.
- Section 11, Toxicological informationincludes routes of exposure; related symptoms, acute and chronic effects; numerical measures of toxicity.
- Section 12, Ecological information
- Section 13, Disposal considerations
- Section 14, Transport information
- Section 15, Regulatory information
- Section 16, Other information,includes the date of preparation or last revision.
Potential Exposures:
- Any chemical used at the facility has the potential to cause a reaction or injury to an employee if not properly handled.
Prevention:
- An annual review of the Right to Know Station must be conducted.
- Every chemical on the property must have a current and corresponding Safety Data sheet in every Right to Know binder.
Proper Disposal of Contaminated Materials:
- If a non-caustic chemical has been improperly labeled, is not permitted by your company, or has been mixed with another chemical, it must be disposed of.
- Pour the contents of the bottle into the utility sink.
- Rinse the bottle out with water.
- Throw the bottle in the garbage.
- If a caustic chemical has been improperly labeled, is not permitted by your company, or has been mixed with another chemical, it must also be disposed of.
- Follow the directions for disposal found in Section 13 of the SDS sheet
In the event of a reaction or injury due to a chemical::
- Consult the Safety Data Sheet for the chemical that was used. Section 4 of the SDS lists symptoms of exposure and required first aid treatment.
- Follow the guidelines for the incident found in the Emergency Binder.
- If you feel you may have incurred an injury of any kind, report it immediately to your supervisor.
- Be very clear on whether you require immediate medical attention, imminent medical attention or request additional accommodations to prevent injury in the future.
- Report the incident to the Risk Management Team.
- Inform the staff of the incident and make corrections to procedures or errors to ensure that this incident does recur.
