Hazard Communication

Policy:

The Homecare Agency will comply with the relevant OSHA Hazard Communication standard requirements. The basic goal of a Hazard Communication Program is to be sure employers and employees know about work hazards and how to protect themselves; this should help to reduce the incidence of chemical source illness and injuries.

The Homecare Agency with hazardous chemicals in their workplaces must prepare and implement a written hazard communication program, and must ensure that all containers are labeled, employees are provided access to MSDS's, and an effective training program is conducted for all potentially exposed employees. Homecare Agency staff should be aware that they may come in contact with hazardous chemicals in a patient’s home and should use caution at all times.

This Hazard Communication policy does not apply to chemicals or products that fit the following definition:

Any article which is formed to a specific shape or design during manufacturing and does not release or otherwise result in exposure to a toxic substance under normal conditions of use.
Products intended for human consumption.
Retail and cafeteria food sale operations and all other retail trade operations, exclusive of processing and repair areas.
Any food, food additives, color additive, drug or cosmetic or distilled spirits, wines or malt beverages.

Toxic Substances/Hazardous Chemicals
"Toxic substance" means any substance which is listed in the latest printed edition of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances or has yielded positive evidence of acute or chronic health hazard in human, animal or other biological testing.

Hazardous chemical shall mean any element, chemical compound or mixture of elements and/or compounds which is a physical hazard or health hazard, as defined by 29 CFR Section 1910.1200(c).

This program applies to employees who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals under normal operating conditions or in foreseeable emergencies.

Exemptions
This policy does not apply to:

Any article which is formed to a specific shape or design during manufacturing and does not release or otherwise result in exposure to a toxic substance under normal conditions of use;
Products intended for human consumption;
Retail and cafeteria food sale operations and all other retail trade operations, exclusive of processing and repair areas;
Any food, food additive, color additive, drug or cosmetic or distilled spirits, wines or malt beverages.

Notice To Employees
The Homecare Agency shall post a sign/notice at locations where notices are normally posted informing employees about their rights pursuant to the Hazard Communication Standard.

Non-routine Tasks
Supervisors, maintenance personnel, or others planning a non-routine task such as repairs or construction should consult with the Homecare Agency. Those undertaking such activities will make sure that employees are informed of chemical or physical hazards associated with the non-routine tasks and told how to protect themselves.

Material Safety Data Sheets

MSDS’s are documents containing chemical hazard and safe handling information prepared in accordance with requirements of the OSHA Standard for such documents. A sample is included as Appendix B.
The Homecare Agency shall maintain a complete listing of chemicals and materials used
Employees who desire a copy of the MSDS’s for hazardous chemicals to which they may be exposed to should contact their supervisor. All requests must be in writing.

Labels/Storage/Handling/Transportation/Spills
All containers shall be labeled in English. Existing labels on containers of hazardous chemicals shall not be defaced or removed. All chemicals are to remain in their original containers and are to be stored and handled according to instructions on the label or MSDS form. Hazardous Chemicals are to be transported according to label directions in original contains. Spills are to be handled according to MSDS instruction by the employee if properly equipped with PPE for the spill. The employee is to contact the Homecare Agency immediately if unable to correctly handle the spill. The Homecare Agency will arrange for the spill removal in that case.

Work Place Chemical/Material List

The Homecare Agency shall compile and maintain a Work Place Chemical Material List. This list shall contain the following information for each hazardous chemical material normally used or stored in the laboratory, office, or work place:
1) the chemical name, trade name or the common name used on the
MSDS and/or container label;
2) the room or area in which the hazardous chemical or material is
normally stored or used.
The Work Place Chemical Material List shall be updated as necessary, but not less than annually.
Work Place Chemical/Material List shall be retained by the Homecare Agency for 30 years.

Employee and Training Programs

The Homecare Agency shall develop a general employee training program to meet the training requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard.
The training program shall include but is not limited to the following: information on interpreting labels and MSDS’s and the relationship between these two methods of hazard communication; how to obtain a MSDS, introduction to toxicology and risk assessment, acute and chronic effects, safety handling, protective equipment to be used, first aid treatment with respect to the hazardous chemicals used by faculty, staff and general safety instructions on handling, cleanup procedures, and disposal of hazardous chemicals. Where numerous chemicals are involved or where numerous chemicals are involved, generic training detailing the classes of chemicals may be utilized.

Rights of Employees

Employees and students shall not be required to work with a hazardous chemical from a container that does not have a label, except for a portable container intended for immediate use by the employee who performs the transfer.
Employees that are routinely exposed to hazardous chemicals shall be informed of such exposures and shall have access to MSDS’s for the hazardous chemicals. In addition, employees shall receive training on the hazards of the chemicals and on measures they can take to protect themselves from those hazards.
The Homecare Agency shall provide, at no expense to employees, appropriate personal protective equipment to protect employees from exposures to hazardous chemicals. Consultation with the Homecare Agency Office is suggested.
The Homecare Agency shall not discharge, cause to discharge, or otherwise discipline or in any manner discriminate against an employee because the employee has filed a complaint, assisted an inspector of the State or Federal government, or has instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding under or related to the Occupational Safety and Health Act or the Right to Know Act or has testified or is about to testify in any such proceeding or because of the exercise of any rights afforded pursuant to the provisions of the Act on behalf of the employee or on behalf of others, nor shall pay, position, seniority or other benefits be lost for exercise of any right provided by the Act.
An employee or his/her authorized representative may request, in writing, copies of any environmental monitoring records.

Biohazard Storage and Pickup

The Homecare Agency will provide individual biohazard sharps containers for staff generated waste. The Containers are to be transported to the Homecare Agency when ¾ full and deposited in the Homecare Agency biohazard materials container. The Homecare Agency container will be located in a secure location such as a closet which can be locked and will be labeled. The Homecare Agency will arrange for the biohazard materials to be picked up by an authorized hazard collection company when the container is ¾ full.