Hazardous Materials - General Safety Program 1.13

McNeese State University
Vice President of Business Affairs
Office of Environmental, Health, Safety & Hazardous Waste

1.0Purpose:

To insure that the hazards of all chemicals utilized at McNeese State University are handled, stored and dispensed according to regulatory guidelines.

2.0Responsibility

Department heads / supervisors shall insure that individuals working with or near hazardous materials are informed of proper handling, dispensing and storage of materials to reduce accidents and injuries in the workplace / classroom environment.
Employees are responsible for:

• Proper handling, dispensing, storing of chemicals
• Maintaining work area in good order
• Using required personal protective equipment
• Reporting, problems, exposures, injuries to supervisor
• Reviewing material safety data sheets prior to use of chemical the first time, and reviewing the MSDS periodically thereafter

3.0Guidelines:

3.1

Review chemical label and material safety data sheet (MSDS) for recommended storage, handling and use.

3.2

Access to chemicals should be limited to authorized personnel.

3.3

Store chemicals by class in separate areas.

3.3.1

Chemicals should be removed from storage as needed.

3.3.1.1

Unused chemicals should be returned to the appropriate storage area immediately after use.

3.3.2

Separate partitioned storage areas should be used for corrosive, toxic, oxidizers and flammable chemicals.

3.3.2.1

All storage areas should be properly identified.

3.3.3

Flammables should never be stored close to any source of heat or ignition.

3.3.3.1

Warning signs must be posted on flammable storage areas.

3.4

Have a properly selected fire extinguisher readily available.

3.5

When handling, dispensing or storing chemicals, follow recommended manufacturer guidelines for personal protective clothing and equipment.

3.6

Spills and leaks shall be reported immediately to the appropriate department head / supervisor.

3.6.1

The University's Environment, Health, Safety and Hazardous Waste Officer should be notified to assist, if necessary, in proper spill containment and pick-up of the spill for disposal.

3.6.2

Uncontrolled situations should be reported to University Police so that properly trained response personnel can be notified.

4.0Inventory

4.1

The supervisor is required to maintain an inventory list of all hazardous chemicals in the work area and update the list as necessary.

4.1.1

The inventory list must be kept in the work area be readily available to employees, i.e., log sheets or computer.

4.2

All hazardous chemicals should be properly labeled:

• Name of chemical
• Appropriate hazard warnings
• Name, address of manufacturer, importer, or responsible party

4.3

Portable containers should be labeled with the chemical identity unless they are intended for immediate use by the employee who prepared it.

5.0Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

5.1

Supervisors are responsible for acquiring, updates of MSDS for hazardous chemicals in their work area.

5.2

MSDS should be readily available to employees (i.e., in files, binders, or on computer)

5.3

Employees should review MSDS periodically for proper handling, dispensing, storage of chemicals in their work area.

6.0Training

6.1

New employee training on hazardous chemicals should include;

• Location, availability of hazardous communication plan
• Physical, health hazards in the work area
• How to read, understand labels, MSDS
• Proper use of personal protective equipment

6.2

Employee training should be documented in the supervisor's files.