Hazard Communication (HAZCOM) in Janitorial Industries

1. A hazardous chemical represents any chemical that is either classified as a health hazard or a physical hazard.

2. Chemicals within the workplace need to be classified, stored, and used according to their Safety Data Sheet (SDS) supplied by the manufacturer. If a chemical has been received and an SDS has not been provided, call your supplier to get a copy for your records.

3. An SDS is a 16-section form that includes all important information about a specific chemical such as a product identifier, required PPE, emergency procedures, signs and symptoms of exposure, chemical classification, pictograms, etc. It is important that these forms are maintained and readily available to all employees in case of an emergency.

4. Employees should be informed and trained on any chemicals or hazard materials, including when any new chemical or hazard is introduced into the workplace.

5. Chemical labels include pictograms, hazard statements, signal words, and precautionary statements to inform based on that chemical's hazard class and category.

6. There are two signal words to indicate the hazard's level of severity. "Danger" is used for more severe hazards, and "Warning" is used for less severe hazards.

7. Pictograms have a white background, red border, and a black symbol that represents the exposure hazard(s). There are nine pictograms in total and they illustrate respiratory hazards, environmental toxicity, corrosives, acute toxicity (severe), irritants and acute toxicity (harmful), gasses under pressure, flammables, oxidizers, and explosives.

8. With the critical information required on labels it is important to have properly labeled containers. Chemicals that are missing labels, or labels that are illegible, should be removed and disposed of.

9. When hazardous chemicals are transferred from a labeled container to a secondary container, a label is not required. If the employee leaves the container unattended, ends their shift, or the container is moved from the work area, then the secondary container must be labeled.

10. It is important that employers review their HAZCOM program and ensure that it is addressing changes within the workplace, including new chemicals or new hazards.

11. In what ways can the chemicals you use today harm you? What can you do to protect yourself?

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