POLICY

It is the policy of Western Oregon University to comply with Hazard 
Communication Procedures pursuant to OAR 437-155-015/1926.59(e)Federal "Right 
to Know" Law.  This policy is designed to identify, educate, and establish a 
procedure for chemical hazards employees face in the workplace.  Hazard 
Communication includes chemical hazards, labels, warnings, training, chemical 
lists identified as hazardous and safety precautions.

    PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to provide a safe working environment through 
hazard communication to our employees regarding chemicals and also to promote 
safety in the workplace through information, education, and department, 
supervisor and employee accountability as required by Oregon Occupational 
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and Oregon law.

DEFINITIONS

1. Hazardous Communication:  Comprehensively address the issue of evaluating
   and communicating chemical hazards to employees on container labeling, 
   material safety data sheets and employee training.

2. Hazardous chemical:  Any chemical which is a physical hazard (combustible, 
   explosive, flammable, unstable, water reactive, etc.) or health hazard 
   (carcinogens, toxic, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, etc.)

3. Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS):  A written or printed material containing 
   information known about a chemical.  MSDS's must list the physical and 
   chemical characteristics and health hazards including signs and symptoms of 
   exposure; any applicable exposure limits; the date of preparation of the 
   MSDS; appropriate emergency and first aid procedures; known control measures;
   applicable precautions for safe use and handling, including appropriate 
   personal protective equipment; and the name of the chemical manufacturer, 
   importer, distributor, or other party responsible for preparing or 
   distributing the MSDS.

4. Labels:  Written, printed, or graphic material displayed on, or affixed to 
   containers of hazardous chemicals.  Labels must contain appropriate hazard 
   warnings and identify the chemical as it appears on the MSDS.

5. Non-Hazardous Chemicals:  The following products are exempt 
   from the Hazardous Communication Policy:
      : Tobacco and tobacco products;
      : Wood or wood products, wood dust and chemicals used in wood products;
      : Articles which do not release or otherwise result in exposure to a 
         hazardous chemical under normal use;
      : Foods, drugs, and cosmetics intended for personal consumption or use by 
         employees in the workplace;
      : Consumer products which are used in the same manner as a consumer would 
         use the product (similar concentrations, packaged quantity, duration, 
         and frequency of use).

    PROCEDURES

1.  Container Labeling (Requirements):  

     A.  Purpose:  The purpose of container labeling is to provide employees
         with an immediate warning about hazards of a material they may use
         and to direct the chemical handler to the appropriate MSDS.

     B.  A container is any bag, barrel, bottle, box, can, cylinder, drum, 
         reaction vessel, storage tank, or similar.

     C.  Labeling of all containers must include:
	  ?  Clear listing of the contents;
	  ?  Any and all appropriate hazard warnings;
	  ?  The manufacturer's name and address.

     D.  Secondary containers or portable containers intended for immediate 
         use are not required to be labeled if the hazardous chemical will be 
         under the control of and used only by the person who transfers it from 
         a labeled container during the work shift in which it was 
         transferred.  If secondary containers are to be used for extended use, 
         the containers are to be labeled with an extra copy of the original 
         manufacturer's label or with physical plant stores generic labels 
         which have identification and hazard warning blocks.

     E.  No container will be released or be in use until it meets the above 
         requirements.

2.  Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS):

     A.  MSDS are the primary means of conveying information concerning 
         chemical hazards to employers and employees.

     B.  The companies introducing the chemicals to the workplace are 
         required to prepare the MSDS for the materials used by Western 
         Oregon University.

     C.  Each person in charge of a department or area is required to have:
	  ? MSDS for each hazardous chemical present in their workplace;
	  ? MSDS for all hazardous chemicals brought into the workplace by 
              requesting them from the suppliers as necessary;
	  ? MSDS maintained for future reference;
	  ? MSDS readily available to employees, their representatives and 
              OR-OSHA;
	  ? A secondary copy of each MSDS maintained with Safety Services.

     D.  MSDS retention by Safety Services will be 30 years from date of use.

     E.  If MSDS are not available or new chemicals in use do not have MSDS, 
         and attempts to obtain MSDS have failed, contact the Campus Safety 
         Coordinator immediately.

3.  Material Safety Data Sheets Content:

Twelve different informative items are required in each MSDS.  If some of the 
information is unknown or not applicable, it must be stated.  The twelve 
required items include:
         ? Identity of chemicals presenting physical or health hazards.  
   	   Trade secret provisions may be exempted;
	? Physical and Chemical characteristics such as vapor 
	   pressure, flash point, and chemical stability;
	? Physical Hazards such as reactivity, explosiveness, and fire 
	   potential;
	? Health Hazards including signs and symptoms of illness, and 
	   medical conditions which might be aggravated by exposure;
	? Primary routes of chemical entry into the body;
	? Permissible exposure limits published and/or recommended 
	   for the chemical;
	? Whether or not the chemical is listed as a carcinogen;
	? Precautions necessary for safe use;
	? Control measures known including engineering, work practices, and 
	   personal protective equipment necessary to protect against the
            hazards;
	? Emergency and first aid procedures;
	? Date of MSDS preparation or the date of the last change in contents;
	? Name, address, and phone number of the person responsible for the
           MSDS.

4.  Employee Information and Training:

	A.  Departments must provide employees, contractors, and others 
             with documented awareness training information prior to working 
             with chemicals:
	      ? Use and location of hazardous chemicals in their area;
	      ? Requirements and location of this policy;
	      ? List and location of hazardous chemicals;
	      ? List and location of MSDS.

	B.  Departments are required to train employees, contractors, and 
             others on:
	      ? Type of Hazard Communication labeling system;
	      ? How to obtain, read, and use MSDS and to obtain 
	        appropriate hazard information;
	      ? Physical and health effects of the hazardous chemicals;
	      ? Methods and observation techniques used to determine 
	        the presence or release of hazardous chemicals in the 
	        work area;
	      ? How to reduce or prevent exposure to these hazardous 
	        chemicals through the use of control/work practices and 
	        personal protective equipment;
	      ? Steps taken to reduce or prevent exposure to these chemicals;
	      ? Safety emergency procedures to follow if the employee is 
	        exposed to these chemicals;
	      ? Each employee is to sign a personal training ledger upon 
	        completion of the above information and forward it to 
	        Safety Services.

5.  Hazardous Chemicals List:

         A.  Departments are to provide a current list of hazardous chemicals to
             be attached to this policy for employee access and use.
	B.  A second copy of the hazardous chemicals list is to be provided to
             Safety Services with a copy of the MSDS.

6.  Hazardous Non-routine Tasks:

Prior to employees performing a hazardous non-routine task, the department is 
responsible for training the employee prior to the start of work on:
	? Specific chemical hazards;
	? Protective/safety measures employees can take (including 
	   protective equipment);
	? Measures the vendor, contractor or entity has taken to reduce 
	   the hazards, including ventilation, respirators, presence of 
	   another employee, and emergency procedures.

7.  Hazardous Chemical Emergencies:

In the event of a hazardous chemical spill, all persons are to leave the area 
immediately and notify the Public Safety Department at 8-8007.  No persons are 
authorized to return to the chemical spill until such time as a representative
of Public Safety authorizes them to.  A hazardous chemical spill is not limited
to, but may consist of the following:

	? Chemical release into the environment above the manufacturer's 
            suggested level of  safety.   Examples may include spilling ammonia 
	   on the floor in a closed environment.
	? Unconsciousness of a person who may be in or around chemicals. 
	   This area should not be entered.  Appropriate emergency personnel 
	   are to respond.
	? Fume/vapor exposure may occur and cause a sense of burning or 
	   irritation to the mouth, nose, throat, chest or eyes. Dizziness, 
	   nausea, or presence of a strong odor may exist. Ventilate immediately.
	? Skin/Eye contact with a hazardous chemical is to be treated as 
 	   suggested on the first aid section of the MSDS for the chemical.
	? Exposure to hazardous chemicals without the recommended personal 
	   protective equipment by the manufacturer may result in injury or 
            death.

At no time are employees, supervisors or other persons allowed to knowingly 
work in an unsafe location or manner on campus that may raise the level of 
exposure to a hazardous chemical.

8.      Contractor's Chemicals:

        Contractors, businessmen or other entities who use and/or 
        introduce hazardous chemicals to Western while in the course and 
        scope of their work are required to:
	? Provide the Office of Safety Services and the department(s) 
            receiving the service a copy of all MSDS of hazardous 
	   chemicals used prior to starting the job;  
	? Provide the length of time chemical will be in use;
	? Follow and adhere to Western's Hazard Communication policy;
	? Be responsible and demonstrate compliance when inspected by OR-OSHA 
            and be responsible for all associated citations and fines.

    AUTHORITY

Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 437-155-015/1926.59(e), Federal "Right to 
Know" Law.

    APPROVAL

It is the responsibility of each department to have an up-to-date Material 
Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for each chemical present in their workplace.  The 
companies introducing these chemicals to the workplace are required to prepare 
the MSDS and provided at the time of purchase.  These are to be placed in a 
notebook available for easy reference and a second copy provided to Safety 
Services for the master notebook.  MSDS must be retained for 30 years from the 
date of use of the chemical.

Accountability (Supervision):  
Persons with supervision oversight, including Deans, Department Heads, Faculty 
Chairs, Management, Directors, and Supervisors, are required to ensure all 
hazardous chemicals in their departments contain proper labeling, have MSDS 
available, and ensure employees, students, and others who come in contact or 
potential contact with hazardous materials are trained in accordance with this 
policy and the "Federal Right to Know" law.  When Western is inspected by OR-
OSHA, each department, upon request, shall be responsible to demonstrate 
compliance.  In the event compliance is not demonstrated, the department shall 
be responsible for associated citations, fines and compliance plan.


                           HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
                             Training Ledger

As an employee of Western Oregon University, I understand that I may be exposed 
to hazardous chemicals that could be physical and/or health hazards.

In compliance with OAR 437.155, I understand the following information has been 
covered in training provided by my supervisor.  I also acknowledge that if I do 
not understand part or all of the points covered, it is my responsibility to 
seek clarify from my supervisor.

*  Type and how the hazard communication labeling system works;
*  How to obtain, read and use MSDS and appropriate hazard information;
*  Physical and health effects of the hazardous chemicals in the work area;
*  Methods used to determine the presence or release of hazardous chemicals in 
    the work place;
*  How to reduce or prevent exposure to hazardous chemicals through procedures 
    in using personal protective equipment;
*  Emergency procedures to follow if exposed to a hazardous chemical;
*  Location and use of hazardous chemicals;
*  List and location of MSDS.


	SIGNATURES         Date	     SIGNATURES          Date	

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