March 29, 2024

Farm safety first: Six steps to a successful hazard communication program

PEOSTA, IOWA — Dan Neenan, paramedic director at the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety, discussed hazard communication standards during a webinar sponsored by AgriSafe.

“These safety data sheets must be made available to employees and for responding emergency personnel,” Neenan said. “They are generally stored in readily available binders or via an online subscription.

“We need to have a written hazard communication program. It doesn’t need to be pages upon pages. But it needs to deal with how chemicals are going to be labeled and stored, where the safety data sheets are kept and training.”

Neenan shared tips for implementing a successful program:

• Learn the standard and identify responsible staff. Obtain a copy of OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard. Become familiar with its provisions. Make sure that someone has primary responsibility for coordinating implementation. Identify staff for particular activities such as training.

• Prepare and implement a written hazard communication program. A written plan should include how hazard communication will be addressed in your facility. Prepare a list or inventory of all hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

• Ensure containers are labeled. Keep labels on shipped containers. Label workplace containers where required.

• Maintain safety data sheets. Safety data sheets should be maintained for each hazardous chemical in the workplace. Ensure that safety data sheets are readily accessible to employees.

• Inform and train employees. Train employees on the hazardous chemicals in their work area before initial assignment and when new hazards are introduced. Include the requirements of the standard, hazards of chemicals, appropriate protective measures and where and how to obtain additional information.

• Evaluate and reassess your program. Review your hazard communication program periodically to make sure that it is still working and meeting its objectives. Revise your program as appropriate to address changed conditions in the workplace — for example, new chemicals, new hazards and so forth.

Learn more at www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom.

Definition

A hazard communication standard is a standard that requires manufacturers and importers to evaluate the chemicals they produce or import, classify the chemicals on the hazards, put labels on the containers and prepare safety data sheets.