Category: Chemicals

Yesterday, we talked about hazmat transportation security. Today, we focus on safety requirements for preparing shipments so that they comply with DOT’s hazmat transport regulations. The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Hazardous Materials Transportation Act and its regulations (49 CFR Parts 171-180), impose broad requirements for every aspect of hazardous materials transportation, including preparing materials for […]

When hazardous materials are transported, everyone involved is responsible for keeping them from falling into the wrong hands. Department of Transportation regulations require shippers, carriers, drivers, and receivers to take proper security precautions. Hazardous materials are vital to our industrial economy. Unfortunately, they can be used by terrorists to cause death and destruction. That’s why […]

The basic goal of an effective hazard communication program is to ensure that both employers and employees know the identities and hazards of chemicals in their workplaces. One of the reasons for the large number of hazard communication standard (HCS) citations is that many employers mistakenly believe the standard only applies to large companies or […]

OSHA estimates that more than 32 million workers are exposed to 650,000 hazardous chemical products in more than 3 million American workplaces. If your workplace is one of those 3 million, hazard communication is a critical issue for you and your workers. OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) was developed to ensure that workers and employers […]

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. The MSDS should be the main resource employees rely on when they have questions about chemical hazards and precautions. But do they actually consult […]

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. Rudimentary forms of the material safety data sheet (MSDS) have been available since the 19th century. Some experts trace their […]

Chemicals, when transported, can endanger anyone at any stage in the journey, including people who live, work, or travel along the transport route. Today our Safety Training Tips editor covers the essentials for keeping that process safe. A. Training requirements. The Department of Transportation (DOT) regulates the transportation of hazardous materials under the Hazardous Materials […]

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, […]

Failure to have a written HazCom program consistently tops the list of OSHA general industry violations. Today we look at the essential elements of your written HazCom plan. The hazard communication standard (HazCom), also known as “worker right-to-know,” is one of OSHA’s most important standards. In summary, it requires chemical manufacturers, importers, and users to […]

Yesterday  we reviewed hazardous waste regulations, control strategies, and container maintenance and storage best practices. Today we look at what your employees need to do to stay safe when working with or around hazardous wastes, and at management’s role in making sure that happens. It goes without saying that any employee who works with or […]