Administration Policies

VI-17.11(A)

UMB Policy on Hazard Communication

Administration   |   Approved March 11, 2002

Responsible VP/AVP

Dawn M. Rhodes, DBA, MBA

Revision History

Approved by the President, March 11, 2002

Policy Statement

I. INTRODUCTION AND EMPLOYEES' RIGHT TO KNOW

To provide a safe and healthful work environment for employees, the Maryland General Assembly enacted legislation designed to give employees information about hazardous chemicals in their workplaces. The Maryland "Right-to-Know" Law was amended in 1990 to include the provisions of the federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200. It is important that employees are aware of hazardous chemicals' identity, health-related and physical properties, and the safe work practices required to minimize potential hazards.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to develop and maintain a written hazard communication program. Employers are required to assess the hazards of chemicals that they produce or import and compile lists of hazardous chemicals present. Employers must provide information to their employees about the hazardous chemicals to which they are exposed by means of the Hazard Communication Program, labels and other forms of warning, Safety Data Sheets, and employee training programs regarding hazards in the workplace.

The following Hazard Communication Program was developed in accordance with both the Maryland Right-to-Know Law and the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) to foster employee health and safety.

II. RESPONSIBILITIES

University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB)

  • Prepare a list of potentially hazardous chemicals. This list will be kept at Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).
  • Maintain and make available to employees Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for each hazardous chemical in the workplace.
  • Provide employees with the required information and training about hazards they may encounter in the work area.

Employee

  • Be alert to the potential hazards of chemicals in the workplace.
  • Follow safe work practices.
  • Attend training sessions.

III. HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS LIST

A chemical information list will be compiled and submitted to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). The name of the chemical that appears on this list should be the same as the one that appears on the label and on the SDS for that chemical. This list will be available to all UMB employees. UMB is responsible for continuously updating this list and resubmitting it every two years to MDE. This list can be found in Appendix A.

IV. LABELING

All containers of hazardous chemicals in the workplace must be labeled, tagged, or marked with the identity of the hazardous chemical, the appropriate hazard warning, and the name and address of the manufacturer. This includes portable or secondary containers.

Labels of hazardous chemicals must not be removed or defaced unless the container has been emptied

V. SAFETY DATA SHEETS

A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) must be obtained for each hazardous chemical on the chemical information list. These must be readily accessible to employees during their work shift. These SDSs can be found at https://www.umaryland.edu/ehs/research-safety/safety-data-sheets/ .

VI. TRAINING

All employees working with or potentially exposed to hazard chemicals will receive training including the following information:

  1. Physical and health hazards of hazardous chemicals;
  2. Safe work practices;
  3. Emergency procedures;
  4. Personal protective equipment ;
  5. Proper labeling procedures;
  6. Requirements of the Maryland Right-to-Know Law;
  7. Requirements of the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard;
  8. Location of hazardous chemicals in the workplace;
  9. Location of the written Hazard Communication Program;
  10. Location of the Chemical Information List; and
  11. Location of SDSs and how to read a SDS.

Training shall be provided at the time of the employee's initial assignment and whenever a new hazardous chemicalis introduced into the work area.

Supervisors are responsible for instructing employees about potential hazards and safe work practices for any nonroutine task.

Training shall be conducted during an employee's normal working hours.

VII. CONTRACTORS

Contractors are required to have their own hazard communication program. This program and any information on chemicals in use should be available to EHS or employees upon request. Information regarding UMB policies and procedures or chemicals on campus can be obtained by contacting EHS at 410-706-7055.

Fill out my online form.