Your Right to Know About Hazardous Chemicals
Another important right is the Right to Know about hazardous substances in your workplace.
Employers must have a written, complete hazard communication program that includes information on:
- container labeling
- Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
- worker training
- training must include the physical and health hazards of the chemicals and how workers can protect themselves
More than 30 million workers in the United States are potentially exposed to one or more chemical hazards. There are an estimated 650,000 existing hazardous chemical products, and hundreds of new ones are being introduced annually. This poses a serious problem for exposed workers and their employers.
The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) - 29 CFR 1910.1200 provides workers exposed to hazardous chemicals with the identities and hazards of those materials, as well as appropriate protective measures. When workers have this information, they are able to take steps to protect themselves from experiencing adverse effects from exposure.
The program must also include a list of the hazardous chemicals in each work area and the means the employer uses to inform workers of the hazards of non-routine tasks. The program must explain how the employer will inform other employers of hazards to which their workers may be exposed (for example, contract workers).
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-2. There are an estimated _____ existing hazardous chemical products.
You forgot to answer the question!