GENERAL
The following written hazard communication program has been established for the Riverside Cemetery District. This program, a listing of hazardous chemicals, and material safety data sheets (MSDS), will be available at the district’s offices at 1721 Gulch Street, for review by all employees.
POLICY
Education and training will be provided for all employees who may be or potentially may be exposed to hazardous chemicals in the work place. The training will be conducted prior to first exposure to the chemical (during on-thejob orientation and training) and whenever a new hazardous chemical is introduced into the work place. All employees will be informed of the new location of the written hazard communication program, chemical listing, and MSDSs.
CONTAINER LABELING
The Sexton will verify that all containers received for and used by this district are clearly labeled as to the contents with the appropriate hazard warnings. No containers will be released for use until the above data is verified. The Sexton shall ensure that each container is labeled and tagged or marked with the following information: identity of the hazardous chemicals contained therein; and appropriate hazard warnings, or alternatively, words, pictures, symbols, or a combination thereof, which provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals, and which, in conjunction with the other information immediately available to employees under the hazard communication program, will provide employees with the specific information regarding the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical.
Existing labels on incoming containers of hazardous chemicals will not be removed or defaced unless the container is immediately marked with the required information. DOT shipping labels on containers will not be removed until all residue has been removed from the container. If a container of hazardous chemicals has no label or the label has been removed or defaced, or is inadequate for any reason, the Sexton shall contact the appropriate distributor, importer or manufacturer to obtain an accurate label.
All employees who transfer hazardous chemicals into portable containers (such as bottles, spray bottles, parts cleaning cans, etc.) will ensure the containers are appropriately labeled and the contents identified. If the hazardous chemicals are transferred to a portable container with the intent of using those chemicals immediately, employees need not label that container.
LIST OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS
The Sexton shall maintain, update and periodically review a list which identifies current hazardous chemicals present in the work place. The list shall be crossreferenced to the MSDSs. It shall be kept with this program and the MSDSs, and serves as an index to aid employees in identifying and locating necessary information. The Sexton shall periodically review and update the list at least once every twelve (12) months and report such to the Board.
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS
It is the responsibility of the Sexton to obtain a material safety data sheet (MSDS) for each hazardous chemical used. The Sexton shall maintain a comprehensive and current MSDS file.
Copies of the MSDSs for all hazardous chemicals to which employees may be exposed will be kept at the Riverside Offices, 1721 Gulch Street, and will be readily available for review to all employees during each work shift. The MSDSs shall be maintained in the same order as the list of hazardous materials which the Sexton maintains.
Subcontractors working on the job site are required to bring copies of all MSDSs for hazardous materials they are bringing on the job site to the district’s office so the information is accessible to all employees. It is preferable to have each subcontractor bring their hazardous communication program and MSDSs in a binder labeled with the contractor’s name and identified as a hazardous communication program. Upon leaving the job site and the removal of all hazardous materials, they may take their information with them.
A recommendation is for employees to take a copy of the applicable MSDSs to the medical facility if emergency treatment is necessary due to exposure.
INFORMATION AND TRAINING
Employees will be provided information on these training requirements, any operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals are present, and the location of the written hazard communication program, chemical listing, and material safety data sheets.
Training may be either in the classroom or on-the-job, and shall be presented prior to first exposure to the hazardous material. Information and training may be designed to cover categories of hazards (flammability) or specific chemicals. Chemical-specific information must always be available through labels and MSDSs. Attendance shall be documented and placed in the employee personnel files.
Employee training will include at least the following:
- Methods and observations that are in place or may be used to detect the presence or release of hazardous chemical in the work area;
- The physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the work area;
- The measures employees can take to protect themselves from the hazards, such as in-place work practices, emergency procedures, and personal protective equipment to be used;
- Details of the hazard communication program, including the labeling system;
- Material safety data sheets, and how employees can obtain and use the appropriate hazard information.
If an employee is instructed to use a hazardous material for which he/she has not been trained, it will be their responsibility to inform the Sexton prior to handling such material, so proper training can be given.
NON-ROUTINE HAZARDOUS TASKS
Since many tasks are not done on a routine basis, they will be handled through specific per-task actions and training. Before performing non-routine tasks, the Sexton will review applicable MSDSs; instruct employees in the associated hazards and recommended first aid treatment; and assure all essential personal protective and emergency equipment is available and operational. He or she will notify all other employees working in this area that non-routine tasks are scheduled or being performed.
SUBCONTRACTORS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES
The hazardous materials coordinator shall inform any and all contractors working in the district’s facilities or job site of the written hazardous material program and where to locate MSDSs. It will be the responsibility of that employer to properly train his employees in the avoidance or emergency procedures for these materials.