Employee Manual 2023 - Flipbook - Page 123
What is HAZCOM?
The Hazard Communication Program is a system to inform employees of safe handling procedures
and safe use of hazardous chemicals to prevent illnesses and injuries in the workplace.
Three Elements of Hazcom: Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), Labeling Procedures, & Employee
Training.
What is the Employee’s Responsibility?
Employees must learn and practice the procedures provided through Hazard Communication
information and training. Employees must know how to obtain and use information on labels and
MSDSs and follow appropriate work practices. If a question arises concerning hazardous chemicals,
employees must stop their work and either read the MSDS and the label or seek additional
information from their department head.
Reading Material Safety Data Sheets
The MSDS is designed to tell you about chemicals, including the ingredients, health and safety
hazards, storage requirements and precautions.
Where are MSDSs Located?
Yellow MSDS books are kept in each work area where hazardous chemicals are used.
Labels
Suppliers of hazardous chemicals are required to label their product with the product identity and
appropriate hazard warnings. The labels must also include the name and address of the chemical
manufacturer or other responsible party. Labels must be printed in English but may be printed in
another language in addition to English. Do not accept or use containers without readable labels. If
a chemical is transferred from its original container to a secondary container, the secondary
container must also be labeled.
Labeling System
The labeling system used by the City of Plymouth is a modified version of the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) warning system.
What is the NFPA Diamond?
The NFPA uses a diamond-shaped warning symbol which has four color-coded sections. The blue
diamond on the left reflects the health rating; the red diamond is the flammability rating; the
yellow diamond on the right is the reactivity rating; and the white diamond on the bottom contains
special symbols indicating properties not explained by the other sections. The rating for each
section is a number from 0 to 4, indicating the degree of hazard. A “0” indicates a minimum hazard,
and a “4” indicates a severe hazard.
Do I Need Training?
Every employee who works with or is potentially exposed to hazardous chemicals needs training
regarding the safe use of those chemicals. In addition to training, employees will receive
City of Plymouth Employee manual - Page 123 – March 2023
