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Environmental Health and Safety

Hazard Communication and Chemical Safety

Hazard Communication, also known as the Right-To-Know, involves the communication of chemical physical and health hazards to employees who have potential exposures in the workplace. It is the responsibility of departments, as well as your own, to handle chemicals safely, understand chemical labeling requirements, and ensure that Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are available.

There are five essential elements to Hazard Communication, including:

  • Written program
  • Chemical Inventory
  • Labeling and other forms of warning
  • Safety Data Sheets
  • Employee training

Written Program

The University Hazard Communication Program provides guidance to ensure that every reasonable effort is made to avoid exposure to any potentially hazardous chemicals. The Hazard Communication Program applies to all employees and students employed by Illinois State University, who by job classification or responsibilities, can reasonably be expected to come in contact with hazardous chemicals.

Chemical Inventory

Departments shall compile and maintain a workplace chemical inventory of the hazardous chemicals in their work areas. Chemical inventories can be compiled for the workplace as a whole or for individual departments and work areas. KHA online, a web-based Safety Data Sheet Management System, can be used for chemical inventories. Please contact Environmental Health and Safety at (309) 438-8325 or sysenvironmental@IllinoisState.edu if you would like to use KHA online for your department/work area(s).

Labeling and Other Forms of Warning

To ensure that appropriate information concerning the hazards of a chemical are accessible to employees, all containers of hazardous chemicals shall be labeled. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has adopted the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Chemical manufacturers are required to include the following on chemical labels:

  • Product identifier (same as SDS)
  • Signal word
  • Hazard statement(s)
  • Pictograms
  • Precautionary Statements
  • Name, address, and telephone number of the chemical manufacturer or other responsible parties

When hazardous chemicals are transferred from original containers to non-labeled containers, the new container must be labeled with the following:

  • Identity of chemical, from the original manufacturer label or MSDS, can be either the common name or the chemical name
  • Appropriate hazard warnings, or alternatively, words, pictures, symbols, or a combination thereof to convey physical and health hazards to employees.

Formore information about labeling and signage requirements, review the ISU Hazard Communication Program.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

A Safety Data Sheet is a written document provided by the manufacturer or importer of a hazardous chemical which provides detailed information, including physical and health hazards, physical and chemical characteristics, recommendations for appropriate protective measures, and much more.

SDSs are available 24/7 on KHA online, the University's web-based SDS Management System. Please contact Environmental Health and Safety at (309) 438-8325 or sysenvironmental@IllinoisState.edu if you would like to use KHA online for your department/work area(s).

Employee Training

All employees who handle or come into contact with hazardous chemicals in the workplace shall be trained on the risks, hazard s, and precautions necessary to safely handle chemicals in their work area. New university employees shall be trained prior to assignment. Refresher training is required w hen there is a change in job function, a change in the hazards or the chemicals themselves, a new product is procured, or there is reason to believe the employee does not fully understand the components of Hazard Communication Training.

Affected departments are responsible for ensuring that their employees are properly trained. Employee training shall include:

  • Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the work area, such as employer monitoring, continuous monitoring devices, visual appearance or odor of hazardous chemicals when released, alarms, etc.
  • Physical and health hazards of the chemical types that may be found in the work area
  • Measures employees can take to protect themselves from hazards, including specific procedures implemented to protect the employee from exposure to hazardous chemicals, such as work practices, emergency procedures, and personal protective equipment
  • Details of the HAZCOM program, including an explanation of the labeling system and SDSs, and how employees are expected to obtain and use the appropriate information
  • Any exposure to hazardous chemicals to which the employee has not been previously made aware of the hazardous chemical and as sociated hazards and corresponding precautionary measures
  • The process by which they can access SDS’s for chemicals to which they may be exposed.