Analyzing the Workplace
Initial Assessment
Now that you have reviewed the structure, scope and application of the HCS and employer responsibilities, it's time to get down to business.
The first task is to determine what chemicals you have in your workplace. It's important for the person conducting the initial assessment to be familiar with the definition and characteristics of "hazardous chemicals," so let's take a look.
Hazardous Substances and Chemicals
OSHA has defined the term "substance" as chemical elements and their compounds in the natural state or obtained by any production process, including any additive necessary to preserve the stability of the product and any impurities deriving from the process used, but excluding any solvent which may be separated without affecting the stability of the substance or changing its composition.
For the purposes of the HCS, a "hazardous chemical" means any chemical which is classified as a physical hazard or a health hazard, a simple asphyxiant, combustible dust, pyrophoric gas, or hazard not otherwise classified.
Physical hazards - a chemical that is classified as posing one of the following hazardous effects:
- explosive
- flammable (gases, aerosols, liquids, or solids)
- oxidizer (liquid, solid or gas)
- self-reactive; pyrophoric (liquid or solid)
- self-heating
- organic peroxide
- corrosive to metal
- gas under pressure or
- in contact with water emits flammable gas
See Appendix B to 1910.1200 -- Physical Hazard Criteria.
Health hazard - means a chemical which is classified as posing one of the following hazardous effects:
- acute toxicity (any route of exposure)
- skin corrosion or irritation
- serious eye damage or eye irritation
- respiratory or skin sensitization
- germ cell mutagenicity
- carcinogenicity
- reproductive toxicity
- specific target organ toxicity (single or repeated exposure) or
- aspiration hazard
The criteria for determining whether a chemical is classified as a health hazard are detailed in Appendix A to 1910.1200 -- Health Hazard Criteria.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-1. Which term describes any chemical which is classified as a physical or health hazard, a simple asphyxiant, combustible dust, pyrophoric dust, or a hazard not otherwise classified?
You forgot to answer the question!