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601 Essentials of Occupational Safety and Health
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Hazardous Chemicals

Hazard communication requirements apply to any chemical that is known to be present in the workplace in such a manner that employees may be exposed under normal conditions of use or in a foreseeable emergency. It's important to understand this criteria, so let's take a closer look at a couple of key concepts.

Three Barrells and two small plastic containers with hazardous material
Know the chemicals present in your workplace.

Known to be present. The phrase "known to be present" is important to understand. If a hazardous chemical is known to be present by the chemical manufacturer or the employer, it is covered by the standard.

Foreseeable emergency. A "foreseeable emergency" is any potential occurrence such as, but not limited to, equipment failure, rupture of containers, or failure of control equipment that could result in an uncontrolled release of a hazardous chemical into the workplace.

An employer may rely upon the hazard determination performed by the chemical manufacturer. Normally, the chemical manufacturer possesses knowledge of hazardous intermediates, by-products, and decomposition products that can be emitted from his chemical product. However, if the employer obtains information regarding the hazards from a source other than the manufacturer, the employer is responsible for including such information in his hazard communication program.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

1-4. A foreseeable emergency is any potential occurrence that could result in _____.