EHS Provides Supplemental Guidelines and Training for Hazard Communication

Environmental Health and Safety is providing the campus community with a supplemental guide and training opportunities to assist in the establishment of Hazard Communication Programs.

The U of A Hazard Communication Program was established to educate and inform faculty, staff and student employees of potentially hazardous chemical substances they may encounter during routine work duties. According to university policy 710.2, all non-laboratory work areas where chemical substances may be encountered must maintain a workplace specific Hazard Communication plan and perform the required training.

Department or unit leadership is responsible for implementing their Hazard Communication plan and ensuring all procedures are followed. Plans must include:

• Appointment of a workplace Designated Trained Individual
• A Safety Data Sheet Library
• A Workplace Chemical Inventory
• Display of the required Arkansas Department of Labor notice of Act 556 of 1991 entitled Public Employees' Chemical Right to Know Act
• Completion of Hazard Communication training for all employees who could be exposed to potentially hazardous substance in their daily work activities

Resources and Training

To assist units with establishing their Hazard Communication programs, Environmental Health and Safety has created an implementation guide that includes phased implementation instructions, a breakdown of the trainings required, as well as checklists, data and inventory sheets, and more. The guide, as well as additional information, may be found on the EHS HazCom page. Those needing further assistance may contact Environmental Health and Safety, or occupational safety coordinator Will Lynch.