Yesterday we reviewed the essential elements of the written program required under OSHA’s hazard communication (HazCom) standard. Today we’ll look at the HazCom’s training requirements—and at a timesaving HazCom training solution.
One of the core elements of a HazCom written program is employee training. Your written program must spell out your criteria for employee training, including the following:
- Designation of persons responsible for conducting training
- The format of the program to be used (e.g., audiovisuals or classroom instruction)
- The elements of the training program—if the written program addresses how the duties outlined in the regulation will be met
- Procedures to train new employees at the time of their initial assignment and train employees when a new hazard is introduced into the workplace
- Procedures to train employees regarding new hazards to which they may be exposed when working on or near another employer’s worksite (e.g., hazards introduced by other employers)
All the safety training you need in one program: 25 subjects, one low price. It’s BLR’s Safety Training Presentations. Try it at no cost. Click for details.
OSHA’s requirements for employee information and training are flexible, allowing a company to design a program tailored to its needs and operations. Our sister website, Safety.BLR.com says that training should at least cover:
- An explanation of HazCom and its requirements
- The location of workplace areas where hazardous chemicals are present
- Where the chemical inventory, MSDS descriptions, written hazard evaluation procedures, and written communications program will be kept
- A description of labeling systems
- How the hazard communication program is implemented, how to read and interpret labels and MSDSs, and how employees can obtain and use available hazard information
- The hazards of chemicals in the work area
- The protective measures for employees
- How workers can detect the presence of a hazardous chemical
- The specific protective procedures the employer is providing, such as engineering controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment
The information and training must be specific to the kinds of hazards in the workplace and the particular protective equipment, control measures, and procedures that are necessary. Training can be accomplished in various ways, including audiovisuals, classroom instruction, and interactive video.
Training can be conducted or information provided by categories of hazard (such as carcinogens or toxic agents) rather than by specific chemical.
HazCom Training is required for new physical or health hazards, not for every new chemical that enters the workplace. If, however, a newly introduced chemical does not fit into an existing category, training for that new chemical must be provided.
A general discussion of hazardous chemicals, for example, is not enough. This is a critical part of HazCom, and if an inspector concludes that the training is inadequate, a more rigorous review of the company’s entire compliance program will probably follow.
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We asked our editors’ advice about how to best meet these training requirements, and they came back with BLR’s Safety Training Presentations.
This best-selling training product uses varied formats, not just slide presentations. Each lesson also includes interactive exercises, quizzes, training guide, speaker’s notes, completion certificates, sign-in sheets, evaluation forms, and training records. In short, everything you need to motivate, reinforce, retain, and transfer new knowledge—and document that you did so.
Hazard Communication is just 1 of 25 separate PowerPoint® prewritten safety meetings, each one responsive to either an OSHA training requirement or to common causes of workplace accidents. All are customizable so you can add your specific hazards or safety policies. The topics covered include:
-Bloodborne Pathogens
-Back Safety
-Emergency Action
-Ergonomics
-Fire Prevention
-PPE
-Welding/Cutting/Brazing
-Portable Power Tool Safety
-Scaffolds
-Lockout/Tagout
-Forklift Operator Safety
-Confined Space Safety
-Fall Protection
-Respiratory Protection
– and more!
Of course, training needs change as OSHA introduces new requirements or as new work practices and technologies bring new hazards. To cover this, you receive a new CD every 90 days you’re in the program, each containing 5 additional or updated topics.
Just as important, for those on a budget (and who isn’t these days?), the cost of these presentations works out to under $20 each.
We’ve arranged for Advisor subscribers to get a no-cost, no-obligation look at Safety Training Presentations for 30 days. Feel free to try a few lessons with your own trainees. Please let us know and we’ll be glad to set it up.
OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard requires you to have an MSDS for every hazardous chemical in your workplace, ensure employee access to MSDSs, and train employees to use them effectively to protect their safety and health.
MSDSs provide essential safety and health information about the chemicals in your workplace. But they can only do their job and help protect against chemical hazards if employees actually use them.