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663 HAZWOPER for General Site Workers IV
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Solid Materials Labeling

For solid metal (such as a steel beam or a metal casting), solid wood, or plastic items that are not exempted as articles due to their downstream use, or shipments of whole grain, the required label may be transmitted to the customer at the time of the initial shipment. It need not be included with subsequent shipments to the same employer unless the information on the label changes.

The label may be transmitted with the initial shipment itself, or with the safety data sheet (SDS) that is to be provided prior to or at the time of the first shipment.

For example, treated lumber is covered since the lumber is not completely cured at the time of shipment and the hazardous chemical will, to a varying degree, offgas during shipment and be available for exposure to employees.

Treated lumber must be labeled or have an SDS when shipped.

Railroad ties treated with creosote should have an accompanying safety data sheet (SDS) when shipped.

This exception to requiring labels on every container of hazardous chemicals is only for the solid material itself, and does not apply to hazardous chemicals used in conjunction with, or known to be present with, the material and to which employees handling the items in transit may be exposed (for example, cutting fluids or pesticides in grains).

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

4-6. When shipping solid materials to a customer, when may the required label be transmitted to the customer?