Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
with one or more employees is affected by the standard, which formerly cov-
ered only the manufacturing industry. The purpose of this regulation is to en-
sure that employers evaluate the hazards of all chemicals in the workplace and
transmit this information to every employee.
The term "hazardous" refers to any chemical which can affect an
employee's health. Effects can range from mildly irritating to potentially
highly carcinogenic. If employees may be potentially exposed to hazardous
chemicals, the employer is required to develop a written hazard communication
program that includes the following:
1. A MSDS for each known hazardous chemical used in the farm or
business, along with container labeling or other forms of warning.
2. A written plan which outlines the method that will be used to inform
employees, workers and outside contractors of hazardous chemicals to which
they may be exposed while working on the site.
3. A program which explains the dangers of the hazardous chemicals in the
work area at initial work assignment and provides information about any new
hazard introduced into this work area.
Employers are required to make the written hazard communication pro-
gram available upon request to employees or their designated representatives
and/or officials of OSHA.
The standard requires an employer to identify each hazardous chemical
with a label, tag, or other mark clearly identifying the material. All warning
labels shall be clearly legible and provided in English, although the employer
may in addition voluntarily include the warning in other languages.
An employer may use signs, placards, or other written materials in lieu of
individual container labels, as long as the method identifies the containers to
which it applies and conveys the necessary labeling information. These
sources of information must be readily available to employees.
The MSDS for each chemical in use must include the following information:
•
chemical and common name of single hazardous substances
•
chemical and common names of any health hazardous ingredient
exceeding 1 % of a mixed chemical
•
chemical and common names of known carcinogens of 0.1%
concentration or greater
•
chemical and common name of all ingredients which are a physical
hazard when present, including vapor pressure, flash point, fire and
explosion potential, and reactivity
