Hazard

Communication
Training
Presented by: The Safety Office
Introduction
The Texas Hazard Communication Act (THCA)
requires employers to provide training
to employees who work with or may be exposed
to chemicals under a foreseeable emergency (a
spill or release).
Hazard Communication is your employer
communicating to you the hazards associated
with chemicals in the workplace. Hazard
Communication is also called Right to Know
because you have a right to know how to work
safely with chemicals.



Introduction
In this training you will learn about:
The hazard communication program at the UNT
Health Science Center
Features of Safety Data Sheets
General chemical safety

Texas Hazard Communication Act
The purpose of the Texas Hazard Communication
Act is to provide state employees with the
necessary information to allow them to work safely
with hazardous chemicals.

As a state agency, the UNT Health Science Center is
required to provide hazard communication
(hazcom) training to its employees.


Texas Hazard Communication Act


The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) has adopted the Globally Harmonized
System (GHS) for chemical hazard labeling and
identification. Because Texas adheres to the OSHA
model of hazard communication, this training will
satisfy the OSHA requirements.

Texas Hazard Communication Act
The University complies with the THCA by doing
the following:
An annual hazardous chemical inventory is
conducted so that every work area has an
available list of the chemicals in their workplace.
Suppliers of chemicals and chemical products are
required to send customers safety information on
their products in the form of Safety Data Sheets
(SDS). These are usually sent to the Safety Office,
and a copy can be requested if desired.
Texas Hazard Communication Act
The University complies with the THCA by doing
the following:
Every chemical container must be labeled with
the appropriate hazard warnings so that workers
can read the hazard warning before using the
chemical. Chemicals are usually well labeled by
the supplier, but in the laboratory, chemicals are
sometimes mixed or allocated into secondary
containers. In that case the warning
label MUST be carried over to the new container.
Texas Hazard Communication Act
The University complies with the THCA by doing
the following:
UNT HSC provides workers with appropriate
personal protective equipment (PPE) such as lab
coats, gloves and eye protection.
UNT HSC also provides training on hazardous
chemicals as required by the THCA.
Safety Data Sheets
Safety Data Sheets are the new name for Material
Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) in the Globally
Harmonized System.

Safety Data Sheets contain important information
on hazards and precautions for a specific chemical.
Manufacturers, distributors, and importers are
required to provide Safety Data Sheets with each
chemical they sell, deliver, or import.
Safety Data Sheets
Section 1. Identification
This section identifies the chemical on the SDS as
well as the recommended uses. It also provides
the essential contact information of the supplier.
Section 2. Hazard Identification
This section identifies the hazards of the
chemical presented on the SDS and the
appropriate warning information associated with
those hazards.

Safety Data Sheets
Section 3. Composition/Information on
Ingredients
This section identifies the ingredient(s) contained
in the product indicated on the SDS, including
impurities and stabilizing additives.
Section 4. First Aid Measures
This section describes the initial care that should
be given by untrained responders to an individual
who has been exposed to the chemical.

Safety Data Sheets
Section 5. Fire Fighting Measures
This section provides recommendations for
fighting a fire caused by the chemical.
Section 6. Accidental Release Measures
This section provides recommendations on the
appropriate response to spills, leaks, or releases,
including containment and cleanup practices to
prevent or minimize exposure to people,
properties, or the environment.
Safety Data Sheets
Section 7. Handling and Storage
This section provides guidance on the safe
handling practices and conditions for safe storage
of chemicals.
Section 8. Exposure Controls and Personal
Protection
This section indicates the exposure limits,
engineering controls, and personal protective
measures that can be used to minimize worker
exposure.

Safety Data Sheets
Section 9. Physical and Chemical Properties
This section identifies physical and chemical
properties associated with the substance or
mixture. (ex. pH, Flash Point, Relative Density)
Section 10. Stability and Reactivity
This section describes the reactivity hazards of
the chemical and the chemical stability
information. This section is broken into three
parts: reactivity, chemical stability, and other.

Safety Data Sheets
Section 11. Toxicological Information
This section identifies toxicological and health
effects information or indicates that such data
are not available.
Section 12. Ecological Information (Non-
Mandatory)
This section provides information to evaluate the
environmental impact of the chemical(s) if it
were released to the environment.

Safety Data Sheets
Section 13. Disposal Considerations (Non-Mandatory)
This section provides guidance on proper disposal
practices, recycling or reclamation of the chemical(s) or
its container, and safe handling practices.
Section 14. Transport Information (Non-Mandatory)
This section provides guidance on classification
information for shipping and transporting of hazardous
chemical(s) by road, air, rail, or sea.

Safety Data Sheets
Section 15. Regulatory Information (Non Mandatory)
This section identifies the safety, health, and
environmental regulations specific for the product that
is not indicated anywhere else on the SDS.
Section 16. Other Information
This section indicates when the SDS was prepared or
when the last known revision was made. The SDS may
also state where the changes have been made to the
previous version. You may wish to contact the supplier
for an explanation of the changes. Other useful
information also may be included here.

Chemical Container Labels
The Globally Harmonized System has created
a universal hazard identification system that
will be used on container labels. It is
important to understand how to read the
label to quickly identify what the hazards are.
Chemical Container Labels
Labels should contain the following:
Product Identifier: This will be the name of the chemical,
CAS number, or other identifier that the manufacturer
deems appropriate. This must match up with the SDS
included with the chemical order.
Signal Word: This will be either "Danger" or "Warning".
Danger is used for more severe hazards, and warning is
used for lesser hazards.

Chemical Container Labels
Precautionary Statement: A phrase that
describes recommended measures that
should be taken to minimize or prevent
adverse effects resulting from exposure to a
hazardous chemical or improper storage or
handling.
Hazard Statement: Describes the nature of
the hazard associated with the chemical. Must
list all hazard statements that are applicable.

Chemical Container Labels
Name, address, and phone number of the
manufacturer, distributor, or importer.
Pictogram: A picture that identifies the hazard
class.

Pictograms
Pictograms are images that represent hazards associated
with chemicals.

The following pictograms will appear on container labels
and SDS, along with short a short description of the
hazards they represent.

Skull and
Crossbones
Acute toxicity
(fatal or toxic)
Poison

Flame
Flammables
Pyrophoric
Self heating
Emits
flammable gas
Self reactive
Organic
peroxides

Flame Over
Circle
Oxidizers
Health
Hazard
Carcinogen
Mutagen
Reproductive
toxicity
Respiratory
sensitizer
Target organ
toxicity
Aspiration
toxicity

Gas Cylinder
Gasses under
pressure
Exploding
Bomb
Explosives
Self reactive
Organic
peroxides

Corrosion
Skin corrosion
Burns
Metal corrosion
Eye damage

Exclamation
Mark
Irritant
Skin sensitizer
Acute toxicity
Narcotic effects
Respiratory
tract irritant
Hazardous to
Ozone layer

Environment
Aquatic
toxicity
NFPA Diamond