Chemical exposure may cause or contribute to many serious health effects such as heart ailments, kidney and lung damage, sterility, cancer, burns, and rashes. Some chemicals may also be safety hazards and have the potential to cause fires, explosions and/or other serious accidents. To ensure that employees know about the hazards of chemicals and how to protect themselves, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued the Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), also know as "The Right to Know" or "The Need to Know" standard.
Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, chemical manufacturers and importers are required to determine the hazards of each chemical they produce or sell and communicate this hazard information to the user through labels and material safety data sheets (MSDS's). The University is required to:
Risk Management and Safety has developed the University of Arizona's Hazard Communication Program (PDF format). It provides guidance for reducing chemically-related illnesses and injuries at work and achieving compliance with OSHA's Hazard Communication standard. The Program applies to all non-laboratory work environments where hazardous chemicals are used (personnel in laboratory environments should refer to Laboratory Chemical Safety).
For more information, contact Frank Demer at 621-3585 or demer@email.arizona.edu.
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