Hazard Communication Program

To ensure information about the dangers of all hazardous chemicals used by Central Methodist University (CMU), are known by all affected employees and students, all affected employees and students of CMU will participate in the hazard communication program.

Container Labeling

The supervisor responsible for ordering for each section will verify all containers received for use will be clearly labeled as to the contents, note the appropriate hazard warning and list the name and address of the manufacturer.

In addition, the supervisor in each section will ensure all secondary containers are labeled with either an extra copy of the original manufacturer's label or with labels that have the identity and the appropriate hazard warning. For assistance with labeling, contact CMU Plant Operations/Safety.

CMU Plant Operations/Safety will review the CMU labeling procedures semiannually and will ensure labels are updated as required.

Safety Data Sheets

CMU Plant Operations/Safety is responsible for establishing and monitoring the CMU Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) (formally known as Material Safety Data Sheets) program. CMU Plant Operations/Safety will make sure procedures are developed to obtain the necessary SDSs and will review incoming SDSs for new or significant health and safety information. CMU Plant Operations/Safety will ensure any new information is communicated to affected employees. The procedure below will be followed when an SDS is not received at the time of initial shipment:

  • Request a copy from the manufacture. If a copy is not made available, contact CMU Plant Operations/Safety for assistance in obtaining a copy through MSDS Online.

Copies of SDSs for all hazardous chemicals to which employees and students are exposed or are potentially exposed will be made available with MSDS Online.

Steps to locate a SDS with MSDS Online:

  • Enter product information in the Search under MSDS Search/All Products. If the product has not been added to the CMU master list, MSDS Online will begin a search to find the SDS. To narrow the search, provide as much information as possible about the product. This is the same process used to obtain a SDS through MSDS Online for a new product shipped with NO SDS.
  • Search by Product name starts with: A-Z/0-9/#+=.
  • By Location; Campus 1 contains all SDSs in CMU master list. Fresh Ideas, Science and Stockroom contain SDSs specific to those work areas.
  • Search all products by scrolling down under the All Products Tab.

In the event an employee/student is unable to access MSDS Online, one hard copy of all SDSs for chemicals used by CMU will be made available at Plant Operations during normal business hours of operation and with Security located at the front desk in McMurry Hall during after hours and holidays.

SDSs will be readily available to all employees and students during each work shift or lab. If an SDS is not available, contact CMU Plant Operations/Safety at 660-248-5298.

MSDS Online updates the SDSs as they are updated by the manufacture and send a notification to the CMU Plant Operations/Safety. When an update is received by the CMU Plant Operations/Safety, the SDS will be reviewed, replace the old copy with the updated copy in the SDS book located at Plant Operations or Security (depending on time of day or holiday hours) and a notification will be sent to employees/students affected notifying them to review the updated section(s) of the SDS.

Employee Training and Information

CMU Plant Operations/Safety is responsible for the Hazard Communications Program. CMU Plant Operations/Safety will ensure all program elements specified below are carried out.

Prior to starting work, each new employee will attend a health and safety orientation program. Prior to starting any lab work with chemicals, students will receive the same health and safety orientation program as the new employee. The program will include the following information and training:

  • An overview of the requirements contained in the Hazard Communication Standard.
  • The hazardous chemicals present at his/her work area.
  • The physical and health risks of the hazardous chemicals.
  • Symptoms of overexposure.
  • How to determine the presence or release of hazardous chemicals through use of control procedures, work practices and personal protective equipment.
  • Steps CMU has taken to reduce or prevent exposure to hazardous chemicals.
  • Procedures to follow if employees are overexposed to hazardous chemicals.
  • How to read labels and SDSs to obtain hazard information.
  • Location of the SDS file and written hazard communication program.

Prior to introducing a new chemical hazard into any section/class of CMU, each employee/student in the section will be given information and training as outlined above for the new chemical hazard.

Hazardous Non-Routine Tasks

Periodically, employees are required to perform non-routine tasks which are hazardous. Some examples of non-routine tasks are: confined space entry, tank cleaning, and painting. Prior to starting work on such projects, each affected employee will be given information by their supervisor about the hazardous chemicals he or she may encounter during such activity. This information will include specific chemical hazards, protective and safety measures the employee may use, and steps CMU is taking to reduce the hazards, including ventilation, respirators, the presence of another employee (buddy system), and emergency procedures.

Informing other Employers

It is the responsibility of the Plant Operations/Safety to provide other employers with information about hazardous chemicals their employees may be exposed to on a job site and suggested precautions for employees. It is the responsibility of the CMU Plant Operations/Safety to obtain information about hazardous chemicals used by other employers to which employees of CMU may be exposed.

Other employers will be provided with SDSs using MSDS Online and briefed on the location of the SDS book, for hazardous chemicals used by CMU operations.

In addition to providing a copy of an SDS to other employers, other employers will be informed of precautionary measures needed to be taken to protect their employees who are exposed to operations performed by CMU.

Also, other employers will be informed of the hazard labels used by CMU and will be provided with information to understand the labels used for hazardous chemicals for which their employees may have exposure.

List of Hazardous Chemicals

A list of all known hazardous chemicals used by CMU employees/students and the storage location of chemicals is located on MSDS Online. The full SDS may be obtained from MSDS Online by locating the chemical, opening the SDS and view/print the SDS.

Chemicals and Unlabeled Pipes

Work/lab activities are sometimes performed by employees/students in areas where chemicals are transferred through unlabeled pipes. Prior to starting work in these areas, the employee shall contact Plant Operations/Safety and the students will be instructed by the professor for information regarding:

  • The chemical in the pipes.
  • Potential Hazards.
  • Safety precautions to be taken.