355 Centerville Rd
Warwick RI 02886
(800) 556-0742
HAZARDOUS COMMUNICATION PROGRAM
SECTION I. - INTRODUCTION
As part of our policy to promote workplace safety, we have incorporated a procedure to make sure each employee is aware of the safety and health hazards associated with the presence of chemicals at work stations or job sites at our facilities or at our customers' facilities.
This is the "Written Hazard Communication Program" for Summit Technical Services, Inc. It describes how the facility will meet its requirements under applicable federal, state, and local "right-to-know" laws. Our hazardous chemicals safety procedure is under the direct supervision of the Corporate Coordinator. The procedure is intended to ensure that:
(1) All hazardous chemicals are properly identified and labeled before entering the workplace.
(2) Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for hazardous chemicals are maintained in each
department and are readily available to the employees working with those chemicals; and
(3) Employees working with hazardous chemicals are properly instructed about the hazards of these
chemicals; how to work safely with them; what special equipment, if any, is required; and how
to respond if any emergency arises.
The office has posted any applicable state and local "right-to-know" posters at the interview area to inform employees of any applicable state and local "right-to-know" laws. Employees should immediately contact their supervisor if they have any questions regarding the safe handling of any chemicals.
__________________________
Melissa Kopsack
Employee Relations Director
SECTION II. - IDENTIFICATION OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS
A complete review of the purchase orders and invoices as well as a physical inventory of hazardous chemicals was conducted by the Corporate Coordinator on January 28, 1994.
The hazardous chemicals identified are listed below:
List of Hazardous Chemicals
Used At This Office
(covered by any applicable "right-to-know" law)
-NONE-
PRODUCT CHEMICAL WORKPLACE EMERGENCY
NAME NAME LOCATION PHONE
N/A
SECTION III. - Material Safety Data Sheets ("MSDSs")
This facility will request MSDSs from the appropriate suppliers for all hazardous chemicals listed in Section II.
The Corporate Coordinator has been designated to receive all MSDSs and will do the following:
(1) Review each MSDS to verify that it is complete.
(2) Contact the supplier immediately if an MSDS is incomplete.
(3) Maintain a complete list of all MSDSs for hazardous chemicals found at the facility.
(4) Post a notice on the bulletin board informing employees of the right to see the MSDSs and the
procedure for requesting to review the MSDSs. Copies of MSDSs will be on file in the facility
manager's office or other relevant offices for review by employees at the appropriate times.
SECTION IV. - LABELING
The Corporate Coordinator will ensure that all containers of hazardous chemicals are properly labeled to alert employees to the container's contents and hazards.
Hazard Warning: An appropriate warning must clearly and concisely identify the hazards. Examples of appropriate hazard warnings are:
1. Physical hazards-classified and listed as:
* Corrosive
* Irritant
* Reactlye
* Oxidizers
* Flammable/combustible
* Explosive
2. Health hazards-classified and listed as:
* Acutely toxic
* Chronically toxic
* Carcinogenic
* Mutagenic
* Teratogenic
* Sensitizing agent
3. Route of entry and target organ(S)
4. Symptoms, acute and chronic exposure
5. Safe handling procedures
6. Emergency procedures.
SECTION V. - TRAINING
A. Employees Working on Summit Technical Services, Inc. premises:
Each employee who may work in the presence of hazardous chemicals (listed in Section II) under normal operating conditions or in a foreseeable emergency will be provided with training. A new employee will receive training at the time he or she is assigned to an area in which exposure to hazardous chemical might be present. Likewise, whenever a new hazard is introduced to the workplace, each affected employee will be trained about the hazard.
Training will include some of the following:
1. Outlines of the requirements contained in the Hazard Communication Standard.
2. Identity and location of chemicals present in the workplace.
3. Location and availability of this Written Hazard Communication Program.
4. Physical and health effects of the hazardous chemicals present in the workplace (by individual
chemical or by class of chemicals).
5. Methods and observation techniques used to determine the presence or release of hazardous
chemicals in the work area.
6. Information about how to lessen or prevent exposure to these hazardous chemicals through the
use of control mechanisms, work practices, and personal protective equipment.
7. Steps the company has taken to minimize or prevent exposure to these chemicals including the
locations of eye wash and showers, protective glasses and clothing, air-packs, etc.
8. Emergency safety procedures to follow if employees are exposed to these chemicals.
9. Instructions about how to read labels and review MSDSs to obtain the appropriate hazard
information.
10. Opportunities to ask questions.
B. Employees Working on Client Premises or Client designated Location.
Training will include some or all of the following:
1. Outlines of the requirements contained in the Hazard Communication Standard.
2. Physical and health effects of the hazardous chemicals present in the workplace.
3. Methods and observation techniques used to determine the presence or release of hazardous
chemicals in the work area.
4. Information about how to lessen or prevent exposure to these hazardous chemicals through the
use of control mechanisms, work practices, and personal protective equipment.
5. Instructions about how to read labels and review MSDSs to obtain the appropriate hazard
information.
6. Outlines of the hazards of non-routine tasks such as cleaning tanks and reactors and changing
hoses or pipes containing hazardous chemicals.
7. Opportunities to ask questions.
Prior to the assignment of a field employee to a customer's facility, the employee will be given a booklet, which describes some or all of the items listed above. Each succeeding twelve months of employment a new booklet will be mailed as a reminder of the dangers of hazardous chemicals. At the beginning of an assignment and each twelve (12) month interval, the employee will be required to sign a certification indicating training has been received.
As a further means of insuring the safety of each employee assigned to a customer's premises, we will:
1. Remind them of their rights to be made aware of any hazardous chemical that may be present at
their work station or job site.
2. Remind them to ask their on-the-job supervisor to explain the client's Hazardous
Communication Standard before commencing work.
3. Caution them not to perform any work with hazardous chemicals on which they are not
properly informed or protected.
4. Instruct them to contact their Summit Technical Services, Inc. official representative on any
hazardous chemical matter for which they do not feel adequately trained.
C. Notification to Customers Concerning Training of Summit Technical Services, Inc. Employees.
The literature provided to existing or prospective customers will include information pertaining to the employee's "Right-to Know" regarding hazardous chemicals. Among other things, we will inform them that it is their responsibility to advise and train our employees working on their premises where the presence of hazardous chemicals might exist in a foreseeable emergency.
At the time of assignment, our confirmation letter will remind the client to advise our employee of the work location of the hazardous chemicals and corresponding MSDSs, the hazards associated with those chemicals, the location of safety equipment, and recommended emergency procedures.
Any information received from the customer regarding hazardous chemicals will be provided to the employee.
SECTION VI. - RECORDKEEPING
This facility shall maintain all MSDSs for the hazardous chemicals listed in Section II for a period of thirsty years. Documentation of each employee's training is maintained for three years after the employee has left the Company. Each employee will have a "right-to-know" training card in his or her personnel file that will indicate the dates on which the employee received training.
Your "Right to Know"
It is the policy of Summit Technical Services, Inc. to insure that each employee is informed of their rights regarding the presence of hazardous chemicals in the workplace. "Right to Know" is a federal law administered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The object of this law is to reduce the incidence of chemical source illnesses and injuries.
As a contract temporary employee, you will be working at our client's facility or a client designated work site. Under the law you have a right to know 1) that a Hazardous Communication Standard exists, 2) what chemicals are present at your work station or job site, and 3) the avenues available to learn what chemicals are present and their potential dangers to your health.
When you report for your assignment, you should inquire of your supervisor what chemicals are present at your workstation or job site and the location of the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). These MSDSs outline detailed information describing the physical and chemical properties, physical and health hazards, routes of exposure, precautions for safe handling and use, emergency and first-aid procedures, and control measures. In addition, all hazardous chemicals must be labeled or marked with information to include the identity of the hazardous chemical and the appropriate hazard warnings.
Remember that there are obvious signs of the presence of chemicals including smell, fumes, and irritation. Some may not have these types of warning properties and their reactions can only be felt through ingestion or absorption through the skin. In the course of your assignment, if you are unsure regarding the presence of chemicals or whether you have been provided adequate protection, check with your supervisor. He/she should be able to provide you with the necessary information.
If after following the recommendations outlined above, you do not feel adequately informed, contact your Summit Technical Services, Inc. official representative.
CERTIFICATION
I certify that I have been informed of my rights under the OSHA "Right to Know" law and have received training on the contents of a Hazard Communication Standard, MSDSs, labeling of chemicals and some of the steps to take to protect myself from hazardous chemicals. I also acknowledge receipt of the booklet Hazard Communication Guidelines for Compliance outlining my "right to know".
______________________ _________________________
Employee Signature Representative
___________________ _________________________
Printed Name Printed Name
______________________ _________________________
Date Date