Ames Proceudral
Requirements

Last Revised: 10/24/2008

COMPLIANCE IS MANDATORY

Chapter 24 - Chemical Hazard Communication Plan

24.1 Overview

The Hazard Communication Program was established in order to reduce the chemical-related occupational illnesses and injuries.

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24.2 References

1. NHS/IH-1845.3A, NASA Health Standard on Hazard Communication
2. 29 CFR 1910.1200, OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
3. 29 CFR 1960, Basic Program Elements for Federal Occupational Safety and Health Programs
4. NPR 8710.2, NASA Safety and Health Program
5. ANSI Z400.1-1993, Material Safety Data Sheets - Preparation
6. 58 FR 41981, Executive Order 12856, August 3, 1993, Occupational Safety and Health Programs for Federal Employees

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24.4 Definitions

• Hazardous Chemical: Any material that, because of its quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics, poses a significant present or potential hazard to human health and safety, or to the environment if released into the workplace or the environment. If a hazardous chemical comprises 1% (0.1% for carcinogens) or greater of a compound or mixture, the compound or mixture must be treated as a hazardous chemical.
• Health Hazard: A chemical for which there is statistically significant evidence based on at least one study conducted in accordance with established scientific principals, that acute or chronic health effects may occur in exposed employees. The categories of chemicals meeting health hazards include:

Appendices A and B of the Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200, OSHA HAZCOM Standard) provide further guidance in defining the scope of health hazards and determining whether or not a chemical is to be considered hazardous for purposes of this standard.

• Physical Hazard - include the following characteristics:

• Excluded Materials: Items to which this program does not apply (but which may be subject to separate requirements), including:

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24.4 Responsibilities

24.4.1 Occupational Safety, Health and Medical Services Division

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24.4.2 Supervisors

Management is responsible for ensuring safe use of hazardous materials at all areas under their control. These responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

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24.4.3 Employees

Every employee is responsible for workplace safety and must act within the guidelines provided in applicable MSDSs. Employee Hazard Communication responsibilities include:

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24.4.4 Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR)

The COTR evaluates contractor performance and compliance with all contract requirements. Most Ames contracts specify compliance with OSHA standards and the Ames Health and Safety Procedural Requirements as contract requirements. The COTR communicates with the responsible government managers and the Safety, Health and Medical Services Divsion, as appropriate, regarding compliance issues. Tasks that the COTR may perform to ensure Hazard Communication compliance include:

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24.4.5 Acquisition Division/SEMA Agreement Routing

Ensure that Government Purchase Request for hazardous materials, including requests for open orders and credit cards have Safety, Health and Medical Services Division authorization.

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24.4.6 Shipping and Receiving Personnel

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24.5 Hazard Communication Plan

The Hazard Communication Plan describes how ARC provides MSDSs, labels and other warnings, employee information and training, and lists of hazardous chemicals present in the workplace to government and contractor employees. This information is provided in English and in other languages as needed.

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24.5.1 Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

The manufacturer’s current MSDS is obtained by the user before acquisition of any hazardous material and is maintained in a location accessible within 10 minutes to worksites where the material is stored or used. MSDSs may be obtained by contacting the vendor directly, or through the Code Q website/ChemWatch. If an online service is used, the MSDS obtained must exactly match the product name and manufacturer of the item to be purchased.

24.5.1.1 Users should always verify that they have the current MSDS for the product or chemical in question

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24.5.2 Labeling

Each workplace container of hazardous material is labeled, tagged, and marked to identify the material and to provide appropriate warnings.

24.5.2.1 General Requirements

The following rules and guidelines apply to all chemical containers.

- Name of owner or responsible person.
- Date dispensed or mixed.
- Expiration date.

24.5.2.2 Chemical Labels

Labels for many pure chemicals can be printed from the Code Q website using ChemWatch II . Biohazard and Target Organ labels are also available. A current list and set of instructions is available from the Safety, Health and Medical Services Division. Blank NFPA system labels are also available from Ames Stores Stock (AIB).

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24.5.3 Information Management

24.5.3.1 Documents

Copies of this Hazard Communication Plan and relevant standards are maintained in the Safety, Health and Medical Services Division, and are accessible to employees, contractors, health care providers, and emergency responders. The Division is available to provide additional information, reference materials, and consultation.

MSDSs are available via web-links (ChemWatch) from the Code Q website.

The Building Emergency Action Plan (BEAP), which contains chemical inventories for each building, is compiled and updated annually. The BEAP is provided to NASA management (Division, Branch, or Office Chief) resident in each building, as well as to local emergency responders and agencies as needed.

24.5.3.2 Trade Secrets

In an emergency, where a treating physician or nurse determines that the specific chemical identity of a hazardous chemical is necessary for emergency or first aid treatment, the manufacturer shall be contacted immediately at the emergency information number provided on the MSDS. The manufacturer or importer is required by law to disclose the specific chemical identity of a trade secret chemical, regardless of the existence of a written statement of need of a confidentiality agreement.

In a nonemergency situation, the employee, physician, or other persons with a need to know a manufacturer’s trade secret information may request that information in writing. However, the employee should consult first with the Office of the Patent Counsel (DL). Information acquired for an employee’s medical record must be labeled “Trade Secret.”

24.5.3.3 Communication in Multi-employer Workplace

Identification of major facility hazardous operations, and chemical inventories, is available to contractor employees through the COTRs.

Hazardous chemicals to be acquired or used by onsite contractors are identified to contracting officers, government managers, and/or COTRs in proposals and/or safety plan. MSDSs for proposed hazardous materials are provided to the Safety & Health Division with the Safety & Health Plan, if possible, and in all cases prior to onsite use of hazardous materials. An explanation of any labeling system must be provided along with the chemical inventory list. Storage and use areas should be labeled to identify the hazard, with standard NFPA labels. Sample NFPA Labels can be found in Appendix C.

When necessary in order to prevent exposure to others, operations with hazardous chemicals shall be performed in a designated, labeled controlled access area.

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24.5.4 Purchasing/SEMA Agreements

If you purchase hazardous materials using the P-Card system, you must establish a Safety, Environmental and Mission Assurance (SEMA) Agreement with Code Q. SEMA Agreements spell out the requirements for chemical users and must be renewed every three years, or when any new chemical is being ordered. Sample SEMA Agreement can be found in Appendix D.

Material Code 68 “Chemical and Chemical Products” should be used when creating your Order Log. Use chemical desciptors in the text fields so your Approving Official will know you have purchased a chemical. If you are purchasing for someone else, you are still the responsible party.

Refer to QE any new or significantly changed use of air pollutants, including gases and volatile solvents. Refer to QH any new use of hazardous materials or a familiar material in a new process.

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24.5.5 Training

OSHA requires Hazard Communication training for employees who use or are potentially exposed to hazardous chemicals on a routine basis or in a foreseeable emergency. At ARC, the diversity and distribution of operations with hazardous materials necessitates all employees to attend general Hazard Communication Training. Employees who handle hazardous materials also receive task-specific training by their supervisors.

See Appendix E for specific training requirements

A copy of this document is provided for each employee at the time of training.

24.2.1.1 Udating Training

Update training is provided by Supervisors whenever:

24.2.1.2 Training Documentation

The Safety, Health and Medical Services Division maintains records of training provided by Occupational Safety, Health and Medical Services Division. Supervisors may obtain attendance rosters and verifications from Occupational Safety, Health and Medical Services Division. Managers maintain records of supervisor-provided task specific training. Records of site and task-specific training shall include the date and time (duration), name of trainer, and outline or summary of topics presented.

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24.6 Appendices

24.6.1 Appendix A: Performance Checklist for Hazard Communication Program

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24.6.2 Appendix B: Substances Regulated by a Specific OSHA Standard

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24.6.3 Appendix C: Exceptions to Chemical Labels Requirements

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Material Signal Code

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24.9.4 Appendix D: SEMA Agreement

BANKCARD PURCHASE AUTHORIZATION

AGREEMENT FOR SAFETY RESTRICTED ITEMS

I intend to purchase potentially hazardous chemicals or materials by BankCard for use in the _____(lab, shop, area) in N-____, Room ___. I understand that I must help ensure workplace safety and environmental compliance. I agree to fulfill the following:

1. (Training) Complete annual HazCom training, initial PPE training and other safety training identified herewith, by supervisor or Safety Division. Maintain familiarity and ensure compliance with applicable regulations and ARC policies for hazardous materials.*
2. (MSDS) Review MSDS and suitability of conditions and precautions prior to purchase. Try to identify an alternative less hazardous material or application to meet your needs.
3. (Coordinating) Request industrial hygiene review prior to acquisition of a new hazardous material or use in new process. Inform management of the inventory list of hazardous chemicals.***
4. (Inventory) Enter any new chemical purchase into the chemical inventory.
5. (Recycle) Utilize Ames Chemical Exchange (ACE) and Central Chemical Storage Facility (CCSF) chemicals and facilities to the maximum extent possible.
6. (Logistics) Make arrangements and post instructions for delivery of chemicals in my absence.
7. (Clean Air) Refer each new or significantly changed use of any air pollutant, including toxic gases and volatile solvents to Environmental Division for environmental compliance review prior to purchase.**
8. (Exceptions) The purchase of radioactive materials, controlled drugs, chlorofluorocarbons, explosives or pyrotechnic devices is not authorized by this agreement.

Authorized user purchaser:


______________________________    ______________       _______________       
Printed Name                      Signature            Date

Organization    ___________
Mail Stop       ___________
Phone           ___________


Safety Division review by:        Effective for three years from date below:

___________________________       ______________________       ____________ 
Printed Name                      Signature                    Date


cc: ______________, M/S_____ (approving official)

BANKCARD PURCHASE AUTHORIZATION
AND AGREEMENT FOR SAFETY RESTRICTED ITEM
INFORMATION

* Training includes, but is not limited to:

Building Emergency Action Plan
Hazard Communication
Chemical Safety for First Responders
Decontamination Procedures
Hazardous Waste/Environmental Essentials
Personal Protective Equipment
Spill Control and Containment Strategy
Storm Water Pollution Prevention

For course descriptions. registration, and contact information, access Training folder at http://dq.arc.nasa.gov or call Tami Williams at x4-2056.

** For information on the following hazardous materials requirements, call the listed contact:

Santa Clara County Hazardous Materials Storage
(Linda Vrabel x4-0924)

Air Pollutants, including solvent cleaning
(Kobin Lee x4-1523, Dana Bolles x4-3145)

Toxic Gas
(Dan Winningham x4-2613)

Hazardous Waste
(Dan Winningham x4-2613)

Industrial Waste Water Discharge
(Dan Petroff x4-5850)

*** Hazardous Materials definitions

Materials identified on the MSDS or ARC Chemical Inventory as hazardous for transport according to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) criteria and/or the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard.

See Ames Health and Safety Manual APR 1700.1 and Ames Environmental Management Handbook APR 8800.3 for more information. (Access at http://dq.arc.nasa.gov/)

The manner of use is frequently the determining factor. If planned use of the material can cause exposure to a target organ or general safety, an MSDS is required and stated precautions must be taken. For example, solder becomes a potential exposure hazard when heated.

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