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The
Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) hazard communication
standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) was expanded to include non-manufacturing
employers on August 24, 1987. The
date for compliance was May 23, 1988.
The new Federal standard preempts the New York State Right-to-Know
law, however not in its entirety. Therefore, the Binghamton University hazard
communication plan has been designed to meet the requirements of both
regulations.
The
objective of the hazard communication standard, as stated in section
1910.1200(b), is: "to provide information to employees about
the hazardous chemicals to which they are exposed, by means of a hazard
communications program, labels, and other forms of warning, material
safety data sheets, and information and training.”
To
comply with the hazard communication standard the university has:
1) Prepared a written hazard communications plan. The plan is available for any employee, or their bargaining unit representative, to review in the Department of Public Safety, Office of Environmental Health and Safety. 2) Developed an on-going inventory (list) of all
chemicals and chemical products located on the Binghamton University
campus, obtained a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each, and will
make available, for any employee, access to such information for those
chemicals they may be required to work with.
(see attached "Right-to-Know" law, employee information
request form)
3) Established a labeling policy that assures
that all chemical containers are properly labeled.
4) Provided employee training which includes informing
employees of their rights under the standard, the location of the written
plan, how to understand MSDS's, and understanding the labeling policy.
The
posting of signs and the access to information within 24 hours, presently
a part of the Right-to-Know law, will remain in effect until the law
is revised or rescinded.
Questions
concerning the Hazard Communications Standard or the written communications
plan should be directed to Environmental Health and Safety, x7-2211.
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