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Â鶹´«Ã½ Environmental Health and Safety

Spotlight on Safety

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 2 | FEBRUARY 2025

Hazard Communication

Chemicals, such as solvents, paints, oils, and lubricants, are essential for many jobs here at Â鶹´«Ã½ but may also pose health and environmental risks if procedures are not followed. In fact, in the past 5 years, there have been 19 chemical-related injuries here at Â鶹´«Ã½. The Â鶹´«Ã½ Hazard Communication (HazCom) Program, enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), ensures your “Right to Know” and “Right to Understand” the hazards in your workplace through labeling, chemical safety data sheets, and training to keep yourself, those around you, and the environment safe.

Safety data sheets

Safety data sheets (SDSs) provide important information to keep you safe and must be available for all workplace chemicals. Before using a chemical, review the SDS in the Â鶹´«Ã½  to learn about handling and storage, health hazards, personal protective equipment (PPE), and emergency procedures. If an SDS is unavailable, do not use the chemical and contact your supervisor.

Training

According to OSHA, many employees do not understand the health and safety information found in an SDS. To address this issue and to keep you safe, Â鶹´«Ã½ Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) provides the following annual training to ensure you understand the necessary precautions and procedures to follow when handling chemicals:

  •  Online training that provides topics on understanding SDS information, labeling requirements, and interpreting chemical container labels.
  •  Training for select employees, assigned by their supervisors, who are responsible for ensuring department chemicals are correctly labeled and inventories are maintained.

Labeling requirements

All hazardous chemical containers must be clearly labeled. Primary (i.e., manufacturer) container labels must include the chemical name, exposure hazards, and precautions for safe handling and storage. When chemicals are transferred from the original container to another (e.g., spray bottle), a secondary or “workplace” label must be affixed to the container. Learn more about chemical labeling in the Â鶹´«Ã½ HazCom Program. If you encounter an unlabeled chemical container or are unsure of the contents, contact EHS at ehs@northwestern.edu.