Chapter 5 - Hazard communication

Abstract

This chapter presents hazard communication program. The Hazard Communication regulation requires the development of a written program that addresses the worker's right to know. This program must include procedures used by the company to determine chemical hazards, to employ labels and other forms of warning, to make available health and safety information regarding hazardous chemicals, and to conduct personnel training. The overall responsibility for the management of a hazard communication program that meets all requirements regarding the rights of personnel as well as personnel training must be assigned to a right-to-know coordinator (RTKC). The regulation requires that the manufacturer of a product should provide the user with appropriate health and safety information in the form of a material safety data sheet (MSDS), which must be maintained by the company purchasing the relevant product and made available to company personnel. RTKC establishes an MSDS verification procedure as an attempt to verify the technical adequacy of any MSDS submitted to the company by a manufacturer. Under no circumstances should the RTKC ignore any hazard, route of entry, or target organ that is identified in a manufacturer's MSDS.