HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PLAN

INTRODUCTION

The Redwoods Community College District will comply with requirements for a Hazard Communication Program to enhance our employees' health and safety.

The Redwoods Community College District will provide information about chemical hazards and other hazardous substances, and the control of hazards via our comprehensive Hazard Communication Program.

The following program will accomplish this objective.

1. CONTAINER LABELING
No container of hazardous substances will be released for use until the following label information is verified:

• Containers are clearly labeled as to the contents
• Appropriate hazard warnings are noted
• The name and address of the manufacturer are listed

This responsibility will be delegated by the President/Superintendent. To further ensure that employees are aware of the hazards of materials used in their work area, it is our policy to label secondary containers.

2. MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDS)
Copies of MSDS for hazardous substances will be maintained. Incoming data sheets will be reviewed.

MSDS will be reviewed for completeness by Purchasing/Warehouse. If an MSDS is missing or obviously incomplete, a new MSDS will be requested from the manufacturer. Cal/OSHA will be notified if a complete MSDS is not received. MSDS are available to all employees in their work area for review during each work shift. If MSDS are not available or new hazardous
substances in use do not have MSDS, the employee shall contact Purchasing or the Warehouse immediately.

3. EMPLOYEE INFORMATION AND TRAINING
Employees are required to attend health and safety orientations for information and training on the following:

• An overview of the requirements contained in the Hazard Communication Regulation, including their rights under the Regulation.
• Inform employees of any operations in their work area where hazardous substances are present.
• Location and availability of the written hazard communication program.
• Physical and health effects of the hazardous substances.
• Methods and observation techniques used to determine the presence or release of hazardous substances in the work area.
• How to lessen or prevent exposure to these hazardous substances through usage of control, work practices and personal protective equipment.
• Steps the college has taken to lessen or prevent exposure to these substances.
• Emergency and first aid procedures to follow if employees are exposed to hazardous substances.
• How to read labels and review MSDS to obtain *appropriate hazard information.

*NOTE: It is critically important that all employees understand the training. Additional questions will be referred to the Personnel Office.

4. LIST OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
A list of all known hazardous substances present at campus locations will be maintained.

5. HAZARDOUS NON-ROUTINE TASKS
It is the responsibility of the employee and his/her supervisor to obtain/understand information about hazards to which they may be exposed during the activity.

This information will include:

• Specific hazards.
• Protective/safety measures which must be utilized.
• Measures the college has taken to lessen the hazards including ventilation, respirators, presence of another employee and emergency procedures.
  

Examples of non-routine tasks performed by employees:

6. HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES IN UNLABELED PIPES (if applicable)
To ensure that our employees who work on unlabeled pipes have been informed as to the hazardous substances contained within, the following policy has been established:

Prior to starting work on unlabeled pipes our employees are to contact their supervisor for information about:

• The hazardous substance in the pipe.
• Potential hazards.
• Safety precautions which shall be taken.

7. INFORMING CONTRACTORS
To ensure that outside contractors work safely in our plant, it is the responsibility of the contractors to obtain the following information before starting work:

• Hazardous substances to which they may be exposed while on the job site.
• Precautions the employees may take to lessen the possibility of exposure by usage of appropriate protective measure.

Compliance with this policy will be monitored.

Adopted by Board of Trustees: August 6, 1990