University of Alaska Fairbanks
Workplace-Specific Hazard Communication Plan
Template
Department Name: ______
Location (to include bldg name/number): ______
Plan prepared by: ______
Date: ___/___/___
The purpose of this plan is to informinsert name of departmentemployees, contractors, students and/or visitors working/visiting the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), of the hazards in the workplace and to facilitate compliance with the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations 1910.1200. This is accomplished through communication of hazards present, or likely to be present in the workplace, and the documented review of the contents of this plan.
This plan applies to all work operations and conditions involving the storage or the use ofhazardous materials. It also applies to other known physical agents/hazards at the insert locationwhere employees may be exposed under normal working conditions or during an emergency situation.
Communication of Hazardous Chemicals
The insert name of department chemical list (inventory)identifies all hazardous chemicals located at the facility. The inventory is updated at least annually and is available at identify location or the Environmental. Health, and Safety (EH&S) Assistant Program. Detailed information about the physical and health effects of each chemical is included in its Safety Data Sheet (SDS); each chemical product on the inventory list will have a corresponding SDS on file. SDS’s are readily available to employees in the work areaat identify location, or by accessing the department inventory found in the Environmental. Health, and Safety (EH&S) Assistant Program.This program can be accessed at
Identifying Containers that have Hazardous Chemicals
All hazardous chemical containers received at this workplace are labeled to clearly identify the product identifier; signal word; hazard statement(s); pictogram(s); precautionary statement(s); and name, address, and telephone number of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party. No container is released for use until this information is present.The manufacturer’s contact information will typically not be available or provided for vessels containing hazardous waste.
Other labeling systems can be used that convey a product identifier and words, pictures,symbols, etc., that provide general information regarding the chemical hazards. Approved alternate labels can be created using the MSDSonline program accessed through the Environmental, Health, Safety, and Risk Management (EHSRM) website. When alternate labels are used, other written information, such as SDSs, must also be present in the workplace which provide “specific” physical and health hazard information on that product
Identify responsible party or position ensures that all chemical containers are labeled with a copy of the original manufacturer’s label or a label that has the appropriate identification and hazard warning.
Communication of other Hazardous Conditions
Physical agents/hazards may often be present in the workplace. These include the following: identify all applicable physical hazards: heat stress, cold stress, noise, hand/arm vibration and UV (ultraviolet) radiation, ionizing radiation, radiofrequency/microwave radiation and lasers. Work may include the use ofdescribe typical equipment used at the facility.Other hazards that are known to exist at the facility include:list hazards
Safety Data Sheets-Chemical Hazards
Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) are readily availablefor all hazardous chemicals located at this workplace. The SDS’s must be available during all work shifts and can be found at identify specific location to includethe Environmental. Health, and Safety (EH&S) Assistant Program.
Safety Data Sheets must be current for each hazardous material used. Current SDSs can be found using the MSDSonline program or the departments EH&S Assistant online chemical inventory program.
The department’s SDS’s are updated and managed byname/responsible position.If a SDS is not available for a hazardous chemical, immediately notify name of responsible positionor contact the office of Environmental, Health, Safety, and Risk Management at 474-5413, for assistance.
Physical Agent Data Sheets – Physical Agents
Physical agent data sheets (PADs) are available to all employees and can be found at If filed within the department, hard copies of PADs can be found at identify specific location.
Employee Hazard Training
Prior to working in the name of department, employees must attend a hazard communication training that covers the following topics as they relate to their known or potential exposures to chemical or physical agent hazards in their workplace:
• An overview of the requirements in the Alaska Occupational Safety and Health Hazard Communication rules.
• The hazardous chemicals and other physical agent hazards present in the workplace.
• The location and availability of the written hazard communication plan (UAF Policy).
• How to read labels and review chemical safety data sheets and PADs.
• The physical and health effects of the hazardous chemicalsand other physical agent hazards.
• The methods used to determine the presence or release of hazardouschemicals in the work area.
• How to reduce or prevent exposure to these hazardous chemicalsand other physical agent hazards through use of engineering controls, work practices and personal protective equipment. This information may be communicated verbally, by written job hazard analysis, and/or standard operating procedures.
• Procedures used to reduce or prevent exposure to chemicals and other physical hazards.
• Emergency procedures to follow should an exposure to chemicalsor other physical agent hazard occur. In most cases, dialing 911 will initiate response to any UAF emergency. Other emergency procedures must be covered in a Job Hazard Analysis, building emergency action plan, or Standard Operating Procedure.
The general online Hazard Communication Globally Harmonized System (GHS) training, required by most UAF employees,is located at provides the basic plan contents. If employees only perform tasks of an office/administrative nature, they are exempt from taking this training. However, they are still required to complete Hazard Communication Training for Office Workers. The appropriate level of training can be determined here: Hazard Communication must be completed within 10 days of hire or before any exposure to hazardous chemicals. Site-specific hazard communication training is also required and accomplished by implementation of this site-specific plan and associated documents, such as a Job Hazard Analysis.
After attending the required training, employees will be required toacknowledge that they have been informed of the hazards of the workplace, and understand the contents of the site-specific hazard communication plan. The supervisor is required to document this workplace-specific Hazard Communication of training.
Informing Employees of Safe Work Practices and
Personal Protective Equipment
Safe work practices and task-specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are identified in written Job Hazard Analysis (JHAs) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The core jobs or tasks requiring provisions for safe work practices and PPE include the following:Identify the core jobs tasksrequiring provisions safe work practices and/or PPE.
Copies of Job Hazard Analysis and Standard Operating Procedures are available identify location.
Informing Employees Who Perform Special (Non-Routine) Tasks
Before employees perform special (non-routine) tasks that may expose them to hazardous chemicals or other physical hazards, the name responsible party/position will inform them about the hazards. This individual will also will inform employees aboutmethods to control exposure, and what to do in an emergency. Special non-routine tasks that may expose employees to hazards includes, but is not limited to, the following: identify potential special tasks.
Informing Employees about Hazardous Chemicals in Piping
Before working in areas where hazardous chemicals are transferred through pipes, or where pipes are insulated with asbestos-containing material, employees will contact UAF Facilities Services for the following information:
• The identification of chemicals in the pipes (if not labeled).
• The physical or health effects of the chemicals or the asbestos insulation.
• The safe work practices to prevent exposure.
Informing Contractors’ Employees about Hazardous Chemicals
Contractors visiting or working in identify the department are required to be informed of the site-specific hazard communication plan and its contents.
It is the responsibility of identify responsible positionto provide contractors and their employees with the following information for the name of department:
• Review and communication of the content of the site-specific Hazard Communication Plan.
• The product container labeling system in use by the department.
• Safe work practices to prevent exposure.
• Documentation that the contractor has completed these tasks.
Contractors are responsible for the availability of their own SDS’s and informing department employeesregarding the materials that they bring to the UAF department/workplace.Upon request, the contractor must provide identify responsible party with the appropriate hazard information applicable to these hazardous materials or physical agents, including the SDS’s , labels used, and the precautionary measures to be taken for storage and utilization of these chemicals. These may be in the form of their site safety plan.
Program Availability
This workplace-specific plan will be available at identify location of site specific hazard communication planfor review byemployees of the department, other interested employee, or applicable contractor working in the area. A copy of this program will be made available, upon request, to employees and their representatives.
The attachment to this plan, Additional Alaska Hazard CommunicationPosting Requirements, must be posted in the workplace
State of Alaska Hazard Communication Program
In accordance with Alaska Administrative Code (8AAC 61.1110, Additional Hazard Communication Standards), the following provisions must be posted in the workplace:
Section 60. Cooperation By Other State Agencies.
The agencies of the state shall cooperate with the department in its program of safety activities and shall make available information needed by the department relative to the accident problems and methods employed or recommended for accident prevention. The agencies may lend the personnel who may be spared from their regular duties for short periods to assist in safety programs.
Section 65. Importation of Toxic and Hazardous Substances.
Toxic and hazardous substances imported into the state shall be accompanied by a federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) form 20 or equivalent information. This requirement does not apply to a substance for which the in-state purchaser has already received the most current information
Section 66. Employee Safety Education Programs.
(a) An employer shall conduct a safety education program for an employee before the employee performs a new work assignment that may result in the employee being exposed to a toxic or hazardous substance or a physical agent for which the employee has not received safety instruction as provided under (b) of this section.
(b) An employee safety instruction program shall inform the employee of
(1) the location, properties, and known or suspected acute and chronic health effects of the hazardous or toxic substances or physical agents to which the employee is exposed in the workplace;
(2) the nature of the operations that could result in exposure to hazardous or toxic substances or physical agents as well as any necessary handling or hygienic practices or precautions; and
(3) the location, purpose, proper use, and limitations of personal protective equipment used in the workplace.
Section 67. Information Provided On Employee's Request.
(a) An employer shall make available to an employee on request a copy of the most recent OSHA form 20 or equivalent written information for a toxic or hazardous substance or for a physical agent to which the employee may be exposed. If the employer does not have the copy or information requested, the employer shall request a copy from the department or the manufacturer of the substance within three state government working days after receiving the request.
(b) If the copy or information requested under (a) of this section is not made available to the employee within 15 calendar days after the request is received, the employer shall take measures to assure that employees are not exposed to the substance to which the copy or information pertains until the copy or information is made available to the employee who made the request. This subsection applies only to substances for which an OSHA form 20 or equivalent information is required under OSHA regulations. This subsection does not alter, deny, or abrogate any right an employee may have under law to refuse to work under hazardous circumstances.
Section 68. Posting of Information in Workplace.
(a) The department shall print and make available to employers posters that contain notice of the provisions of this chapter relating to toxic and hazardous substances and physical agents.
(b) An employer whose employees are or may be exposed in the workplace to a toxic or hazardous substance or a physical agent shall display the following information in a manner designed to notify the employees:
(1) a poster printed by the department under (a) of this section; and
(2) an OSHA form 20 or equivalent information for each toxic or hazardous substance and for each physical agent to which an employee may be exposed in the workplace
(A) under normal conditions of work; or
(B) during a reasonably foreseeable emergency, including equipment failure and rupture of containers.
(c) Instead of posting the information required under (b)(2) of this section, an employer may post a list of the chemical name and product name of each toxic or hazardous substance and each physical agent to which an employee may be exposed in the workplace, together with an identification of a location, in or near the workplace and accessible to employees, where an employee may inspect the information listed under (b)(2) of this section.
Direct any questions tothe office of Environmental, Health, Safety, and Risk Management at 474-5413.
Attachment 1
1 UAF Hazard Communication Plan (Site-Specific)