General Industry Hazard Communication Program

Sample

GENERAL INDUSTRY HAZARD COMMUNICATION PROGRAM

Introduction

(Name of Company) is firmly committed to providing all of it employees with a safe and healthy work environment. It is a matter of company policy to provide our employees with information about hazardous chemicals on the work site through our hazard communication program, which includes container labeling, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) and employee information/training.

(Name of Person or Position) will have the overall responsibility for coordinating the hazard communication program for (Name of Company). (Name of Person or Position) will make our written hazard communication program available upon request, to employees, their designated representatives, the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health and the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

I. List of Hazardous Chemicals

(Name of person or position) will compile a list of all hazardous chemicals that will be used on the work site by reviewing container labels and Material Safety Data Sheets. The list will be updated as necessary. It will be kept (Location). (See the attached list of hazardous chemicals.)

II. Labeling

It is the policy of this company to ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals on premises is properly labeled.

A. All chemicals on-premises will be stored in their original approved containers with a proper label except small quantities for immediate use. Any container not properly labeled shall be turned in for labeling or proper disposal.

B. Workers may not dispense chemicals from the original container without a proper label except in small quantities for immediate use. Any small quantity of chemical remaining after work is completed must be returned to the original container or disposed of properly.

C. No unmarked containers of any size are to be left unattended in the work area.

D. (Company) will rely on manufacturers applied labels whenever possible and will ensure that these labels are maintained. Containers that are not labeled or which the manufacturer's label has been removed will be relabeled. Labels should include warnings as to which body organ may be affected and how.

E. (Company) will ensure that each container is labeled with:

1) The identity of the hazardous chemical contents.

2) Any appropriate hazard warnings.

3) Name and Address of the Manufacturer, Importer, or other responsible party

F: Temporary Containers: To further ensure that employees are aware of the chemical hazards of materials used in their work areas, it is our policy to label all temporary containers with:

1) An extra copy of the manufacturer's label

Or

2) With a label that lists the container's contents and appropriate hazard warnings.

This responsibility has been assigned to (Name of Person).

III. Material Safety Data Sheets

Copies of Material Safety Data Sheets for all hazardous chemicals to which employees may be exposed are kept (location) and are readily accessible to employees in the work area during each work shift. (Name of Position or Person) is responsible for obtaining, maintaining and updating the file of Material Safety Data Sheets.

IV. Employee Training

Employees are to attend a training session on hazardous chemicals in their work assignment. The training session will cover the following:

A. An overview of the hazard communication requirements.

B. A review of the chemicals present in their workplace operations.

C. The location and availability of our written hazard communication program, a list of hazardous chemicals and Material Safety Data Sheets.

D. Observation techniques that may be used to detect the presence or release of hazardous chemicals in the work area.

E. The physical hazards of the chemicals in the work area.

F. The health hazards of the chemicals in the work area, including signs and symptoms and how to avoid them through good work practices, personal protective equipment, etc.

G. Emergency procedures to follow if employees are exposed to hazardous chemicals.

H. An explanation of our hazard communication programs, including how to read labels and Material Safety Data Sheets to obtain appropriate hazard information.

When a new type of product is introduced into a work area or the chemical composition of product changes, (Person or Position) will review the above items as they are related to the new chemicals.

V. Non-Routine Tasks

Periodically employees are required to perform non-routine tasks. Prior to starting work on such projects, each affected employee will be informed by (Person or Position) about hazards to which they may be exposed and appropriate protective and safety measures.

VI. Informing Other Employers

To ensure that the employees of other contractors have access to information on the hazardous chemicals on premises, it is the responsibility of (Person or Position) to provide the other contractors the following information:

Where the MSDSs are available;

The name and location of the hazardous chemicals to which their employees may be exposed and any appropriate protective measures required to minimize their exposure; and

An explanation of the labeling system used at the premises.

Each contractor bringing chemicals onto the premises must provide us with the appropriate hazard information on those substances to which our own employees may be exposed to at our facility.

CHEMICAL INVENTORY LIST

(Site Specific Location)

THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS “SAMPLE” SAFETY PROGRAM HAS BEEN COMPILED FROM VARIOUS SOURCES BELIEVED TO BE RELIABLE. HOWEVER, IT CANNOT BE ASSUMED THAT ALL ACCEPTABLE MEASURES ARE CONTAINED IN THIS PROGRAM WITH REGARDS TO YOUR INDUSTRY STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS UNDER PARTICULAR FEDERAL, STATE, PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL LAW.

General Industry…Program.doc