606 Hazard Communication for the Employee

A

• Article. A manufactured item whose end-use function depends on its shape or design and that does not release more than trace amounts of a hazardous chemical or pose a physical hazard or health risk under normal use.
• Aspiration Hazard. A chemical hazard caused when a liquid or solid enters the trachea and lower respiratory system directly or through vomiting.

C

• Chemical Manufacturer. An employer with a workplace where chemicals are produced for use or distribution.
• Classification. The process of identifying chemical-hazard data, evaluating that data, and determining the applicable hazard classes and categories.
• Combustible Dust. Finely divided solid particulates of a substance or mixture that pose a flash-fire or explosion hazard when dispersed in air or another oxidizing medium.
• Container. A bag, barrel, bottle, box, can, cylinder, drum, reaction vessel, storage tank, or similar item that contains a hazardous chemical.

D

• Distributor. A business, other than a manufacturer or importer, that supplies hazardous chemicals to other distributors or employers.
• Downstream User. An employer that receives a hazardous chemical from a manufacturer, importer, or distributor and uses it in the workplace.

E

• Employee. A worker who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals under normal operating conditions or in foreseeable emergencies.
• Exposure. Being subjected to a hazardous chemical through inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, absorption, or another route, including potential exposure.

F

• Foreseeable Emergency. A potential occurrence such as equipment failure, container rupture, or control-equipment failure that could result in an uncontrolled hazardous-chemical release.

G

• Globally Harmonized System (GHS). An international framework for classifying chemical hazards and communicating them through standardized labels and safety data sheets.

H

• Hazard Category. A division within a hazard class used to compare the severity of hazards.
• Hazard Class. The nature of a physical or health hazard, such as flammable liquid, carcinogenicity, or skin corrosion.
• Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). OSHA's standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, for classifying chemical hazards and communicating information to employers and employees.
• Hazard Not Otherwise Classified (HNOC). An adverse physical or health effect that does not meet a specified HCS hazard class but is supported by scientific evidence.
• Hazard Statement. A standardized statement describing the nature and, when appropriate, the degree of a chemical hazard.
• Hazardous Chemical. A chemical classified as a physical hazard, health hazard, simple asphyxiant, combustible dust, or hazard not otherwise classified.
• Health Hazard. A chemical classified for an adverse health effect, such as acute toxicity, skin corrosion, carcinogenicity, or reproductive toxicity.

I

• Immediate Outer Package. The package directly surrounding a small or very small container that carries the full shipped-container label and required storage statement.
• Importer. The first business with employees within U.S. Customs territory that receives hazardous chemicals produced in another country.

L

• Label. Written, printed, or graphic information displayed on or affixed to a hazardous-chemical container or its immediate outer package.
• Label Elements. The specified pictogram, hazard statement, signal word, and precautionary statement assigned to a hazard class and category.

P

• Physical Hazard. A chemical for which there is scientifically valid evidence that it presents hazards such as flammability, explosivity, oxidizing capacity, or corrosivity to metal.
• Pictogram. A symbol and other graphic elements, such as a border and background, used to communicate specific chemical-hazard information.
• Precautionary Statement. A phrase describing recommended measures to minimize or prevent adverse effects from exposure, handling, or storage.
• Product Identifier. The name or number used for a hazardous chemical on a label and SDS that allows the information to be cross-referenced.
• Pyrophoric Gas. A gas that will ignite spontaneously in air at or below 130°F (54.4°C).

R

• Released for Shipment. A chemical that has been packaged and labeled in the manner it will be distributed or sold.
• Responsible Party. The manufacturer, importer, or distributor identified on a shipped-container label and SDS by name, U.S. address, and U.S. telephone number.

S

• Safety Data Sheet (SDS). A standardized 16-section document containing information about a chemical's hazards, protective measures, and emergency response.
• Signal Word. The word “Danger” or “Warning” used to indicate the relative severity of a hazard.
• Simple Asphyxiant. A substance or mixture that displaces oxygen in the ambient atmosphere and can cause oxygen deprivation.
• Small Container. A container with a capacity of 100 milliliters or less that may qualify for reduced labeling when full labeling is infeasible.

T

• Trade Secret. Confidential information about a chemical's identity or exact concentration that may be withheld only under HCS requirements.

V

• Very Small Container. A container with a capacity of 3 milliliters or less that may display only the product identifier when a full or reduced label would interfere with normal use.

W

• Work Area. A room or defined space in a workplace where hazardous chemicals are produced or used and employees are present.
• Workplace Label. A label used by an employer for a hazardous chemical in the workplace that communicates the product identifier and general hazard information.
• Written Hazard Communication Program. The employer's written description of how labels, SDSs, employee information and training, and other HCS duties will be implemented.