Hazard Communications Program
The Hazard Communications Program was established to ensure the hazards of all chemicals used at Lafayette College are evaluated and that hazard information is communicated to employees. The program was developed in accordance with the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Hazard Communication standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200.
This program applies to any chemical, which 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.
Department Heads must hold the appropriate supervisors and individuals accountable for the responsibilities attributed to them in the written program.
EHS will maintain copies of safety data sheets (SDS) for all hazardous chemicals at Lafayette college, conduct health hazard evaluations and recommend corrective action, and review, approve and periodically audit training programs required by the program. EHS will also provide prototype labels and SDS upon request and maintain employee training records.
Supervisors must maintain a list of hazardous chemicals present in the work area and inform employees of hazards associated with chemical use, ensuring that all new employees are trained. Additionally, supervisors must ensure that all hazardous materials in the work area are labeled, and inspect the condition and accuracy of container labels periodically. Supervisors may request a health hazard evaluation from EHS when there is evidence or a complaint that an employee is exposed to hazardous materials. Finally, Supervisors must inform contract employees of pertinent information pertaining to the Hazard Communication Program and obtain information from contract employees about hazards they are introducing to the site.
Employees will attend training as required; utilize safe work practices, engineering controls, and personal protective equipment as required; obey all warning labels affixed to containers; obtain labels from their supervisor to properly label secondary containers; and report any suspected exposures to their supervisor.