THE ORCBS > Occupational Safety > Programs & Guidelines > Right To Know > Hazard Communication Document >

EMPLOYEE INFORMATION AND TRAINING

Employees must have access to information and training to ensure that they are apprised of the hazards of chemicals present in the work area. Such information must be provided at the time of an employee's initial assignment to a work area where hazardous chemicals are present and prior to assignment involving new exposure situations. Employees should receive periodic refresher information and training to ensure that they are aware of the risks of exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Information

Information provided to employees must include:

1. The contents of the MIOSHA MRTKL and how it pertains to an individual's job.
2. Any operations in the work area where hazardous chemicals are present.
3. The location and availability of the MSU Hazard Communication Document.
4. A unit list of hazardous chemicals.

Training

Method of Training

General training will be provided by the ORCBS and may take the form of individual instruction, group seminars, audiovisual presentations, handout material, or any combination of the above. Supervisors or an appropriate designee will provide site-specific training. Please call the ORCBS at 432-SAFE (432-7233) for information about the general chemical safety course or sign up for a safety course on our web site: http://www.orcbs.msu.edu.

General awareness training

General awareness training will include

1. Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical (such as monitoring conducted by continuous monitoring devices, visual appearance or odor of hazardous chemicals when being released, etc.).
2. General physical and health hazards of chemicals in the work area.
3. The measures employees can take to protect themselves from these hazards, including specific procedures the University or department has implemented to protect employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals, such as appropriate work practices, emergency procedures, and personal protective equipment to be used.
4. The applicable details of the MSU Hazard Communication Document, including an explanation of the labeling system and the MSDS, and how employees can obtain and use the appropriate hazard information.

Site-specific training provided by Units/Supervisors to employees will include:

1. Site-specific standard operating procedures.
2. Specific physical and health hazards of chemicals in the work area (available on MSDS).

Documentation

General awareness training required by the Hazard Communication Plan will be documented by the ORCBS. Site-specific training must be documented and maintained by the unit/supervisor and be available to representatives of the ORCBS or other regulatory officials upon request.

Record Keeping

The ORCBS will retain records of all employees who attend the Hazard Communication Plan seminar given by the ORCBS.

It is required that records of specific training for individual departments be retained by the supervisor in the department.

Accident records for employees should be written and retained within the unit.

Hazardous chemical inventory

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