EBAB-R - Hazard Communication Program

HAZARD COMMUNICATION PROGRAM

 

Each employee of the Acton School Department is responsible for ensuring the safety of all students and employees of the district.  The following communication program is intended to provide guidance relating to hazardous materials within the school house.

Container Labeling – 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)

Employees of the Acton School Department must verify that all containers of hazardous substances are properly labeled. 

Supervisors will review the labeling system annually and update as needed.   The Chemical Hygiene Officer will answer questions or provide help on labeling.

Labeling Requirement:

  • Labels must be in English.

  • Labels must be legible and prominently displayed.

  • Labels must contain the identity of the product as listed on the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and the list of chemicals used in the school.  All three sources must be linked. 

Original containers received for use will be labeled to indicate, at a minimum:

  • The identity of the contents.  The identity must match the SDS.

  • Appropriate hazard warnings, including routes of entry and target organs if known.

  • The name and address of the manufacturer, importer, or responsible party. 

Secondary containers will be labeled with, at a minimum:

  • A copy of the original manufacturer’s label, or

  • Generic label with identity and hazard warnings. 

List of Hazardous Chemicals – 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i)

The Superintendent of Schools is responsible for preparing and updating the list of all Chemicals in our workplace that are potentially hazardous.  This list will be attached to this communication plan annual and distributed to all employees.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) – 29CFR 1910.1200 (g)

The School’s administrative staff is responsible for obtaining and maintaining SDSs.  The administration will review incoming SDSs to make sure they contain all required information, and for changes in health and safety information.  Administration will make sure any new information is passed on to the affected employees. 

When toxic or hazardous substances are received without the SDS, administration will send a letter to the supplier requesting the SDS, with a copy to file. 

Employees are not permitted to use any chemicals for which the company does not have the SDS.

SDSs will be accessible to all employees during each work shift when they are in their work areas.  Copies of SDSs will be kept in the following locations:


  • School Office

  • Maintenance Building

  • Chemistry Lab Office

  • Custodial Closets

Employee Information and Training – 29 CFR 1910.1200(h)

The Superintendent of Schools is responsible for the employee training program.  She/he will ensure that all elements specified below are carried out. 

The school administration is responsible for assuring that each affected employee will be given information as outlined below for any new chemical prior to that chemical being introduced into the workplace. 

Prior to starting work, each new employee of this school department will attend a health and safety orientation and will receive information on the following:


  • An overview of the requirements contained in the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200.

  • Chemicals present in their workplace operations.

  • Location and availability of our written hazard communication plan.

  • Physical and health effects of the toxic or hazardous substances.

  • Methods and observation techniques used to determine the presence or release of toxic and hazardous substances in the work area. 

  • How to use toxic and hazardous substances in the safest possible manner, including safe work practices, personal protective equipment and emergency procedures. 

  • Steps the school department has taken to lessen or prevent exposure to toxic and hazardous substances. 

  • How to read labels and review SDSs to obtain correct hazard information. 

  • Location of SDSs. 

Hazards of Non-Routine Tasks – 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(ii)

Periodically, employees may be required to perform non-routine tasks that involve the use of hazardous chemicals (for instance, cleaning supplies).  The Acton School Department will provide information about hazardous chemicals to which employees may be exposed during non-routine tasks prior to employees starting such tasks.

This information will include:

  • Specific hazards involved.

  • Protective measures the employee should take.

  • Measures the company has taken to lessen the hazards, including ventilation, respirators, presence of another employee, and emergency procedures.

Examples of non-routine tasks at this company:

TASK  HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE   PROTECTIVE MEASURES.

Informing Contractors – 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(2)

The Acton School Department will provide contractors with employees at our worksite the following information:

  • Toxic and hazardous substances to which the contractor’s employees may be exposed while at the worksite.

  • Precautions the employees can take to lessen the possibility of exposure.

  • Location of SDS.

The superintendent of schools will contact each contractor before work is started in the Acton Elementary School to gather and disseminate any information concerning chemical hazards that the contractor is bringing onto the site.  The contractor is responsible for ensuring that any employee of the Acton School Department who are exposed to any hazards that they bring onto the site are properly trained and protected. 

Legal Reference: 29 C.F.R. § 1910.1200

   26 M.R.S.A. § 565

   

   

Adopted: May 9, 2006 

Reviewed:     November 12, 2019