**HAZARD COMMUNICATION PROGRAM**

**WORK AREA IMPLEMENTATION**

A.  **PURPOSE AND SCOPE**:

This document establishes procedures for implemented a Hazard
Communication Program to inform employees in Code 840 of chemical
hazards they may be exposed to in the workplace under normal conditions,
or in a foreseeable emergency. Under this program employees will be
informed of the contents of your work, safe handling procedures, and
measures to protect you from these chemicals. The written program is
available in the following location: [Appendix A of the Wallops Safety
Manual.]{.underline}

B.  **APPLICABILITY:**

The Hazard Communication Program is applicable to all civil servants
working in the Range and Mission Management Office.

C.  **POLICY:**

It is the policy of WFF to establish and implement a comprehensive
Hazard Communication Program which fully meets the requirements of 29
CFR 1910.1200, the Hazard Communication Standard, promulgated by the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

D.  **RESPONSIBILITIES:**

    a.  The Director of Code 840 has overall responsibility for ensuring
        that the Hazard Communication Program is implemented in the 840
        Office. Additionally, the

    b.  The Director of Code 840 shall:

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(1) Ensure that necessary resources needed to comply with the Hazard
    Communication Program are available;

(2) Ensure that Office staff attend required training; and,

(3) Ensure that new employees are appropriately trained to an awareness
    level.

    a.  The Occupational Safety Office or its designated representative
        has overall responsibility for monitoring this program. Specific
        responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

        1.  Assist managers in determining the level and content of
            training required by each organization to adequately inform
            employees of the hazards of workplace chemicals to fully
            comply with the Hazard Communication Program;

        2.  Audit various WFF organizations to ensure that employees are
            trained in accordance with the Hazard Communication Program;

        3.  Provide technical support to WFF organizations including but
            not limited to hazard analyses of the workplace, safety
            inspections and audits, observations and reviews of work
            practices, procedures, personal protective equipment, and
            procurements.

    b.  **Line Supervisors** have the responsibility for direct action
        and enforcement to ensure compliance with the Hazard
        Communication Program. Line supervisors shall:

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(1) Identify Points of Contact for MSDS\'s, which shall be readily
    accessible to employees for each hazardous chemical in the
    workplace;

(2) Identify Points of Contact to maintain an accurate inventory of the
    hazardous chemicals used in the work area. Provide an updated
    inventory list to higher management prior to the beginning of each
    calendar year;

(3) Identify Points of Contact to ensure that the containers of
    hazardous chemicals in the work area are appropriately labeled.
    Containers without appropriate labels shall be sent back to the
    supplier unless the contents of the container are definitely known.
    Where contents are known, the container shall be immediately labeled
    with the appropriate information

(4) Provide and attend required hazard communication training. The level
    of training required will be determined by the extent with which
    chemical handling by the supervisor or his/her employees occur.
    Supervisors whose employees routinely handle chemicals are also
    required to attend Hazard Communication training;

(5) Ensure that employees under their supervision attend required Hazard
    Communication training sessions;

(6) Provide training to employees on the specific hazards of the
    chemicals used in the work area.

(7) Provide processes that ensure that the personnel not normally
    assigned to the work area, such as maintenance and contractor
    personnel, are informed of the hazards of the chemicals to which
    they may be exposed while present at the job site;

(8) Provide processes to ensure safe practices such as using appropriate
    personal protective equipment (PPE); implement safety precautions
    and procedures for operations which involve the use of hazardous
    chemicals; utilize the MSDS\'s as references; and enforce GSFC
    smoking policies; and

(9) Develop operating procedures for tasks involving hazardous
    materials. Ensure that workers review these procedures prior to
    performing these tasks.

    a.  **All Employees** shall:

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(1) Consistent with their assignments, become familiar with the safety
    precautions, read the MSDS\'s and labels to become familiar with the
    safety precautions, chemical and physical properties, and potential
    health hazards of the chemicals to include sign and symptoms of over
    exposure, prior to handling the chemicals;

(2) Consistent with their assignments, exercise all necessary
    precautions in the safe use of hazardous chemicals, including
    wearing personal protective equipment as specified on the MSDS or
    recommended by the Safety Office;

(3) Consistent with their assignments, notify the supervisor of any
    apparent deficiencies involving hazard communication, such as
    missing MSDS\'s, improperly labeled containers of hazardous
    chemicals, chemicals not listed on the hazardous chemical inventory
    for the work area, etc.;

(4) Consistent with their assignments, participate in scheduled training
    sessions for hazard communication;

(5) Report to their supervisor all working conditions which may cause
    personal hazards; and

(6) Review operating procedures prior to performing hazardous tasks.

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E.  **EMPLOYEE TRAINING:**

Supervisors shall oversee the training of employees on the specific
hazards used in the work area. Training shall be conducted at the time
of an employees\' initial assignment, an employee\'s change in
assignment, and whenever a new chemical, which represents a new hazard,
is introduced into the work area.

Employees working with hazardous materials will verify that all
containers received and used in the work area are clearly labeled to
identify the contents and the appropriate hazard warnings. Existing
labels on incoming containers of hazardous chemicals will not be removed
or defaced unless the container is immediately marked with the required
information. All employees who transfer hazardous chemicals into
portable containers will ensure the containers are appropriately labeled
and the contents identified.

Labels should include at least the following information:

(1) Warning statement, message, or symbol

(2) Product name

(3) Manufacturer's name and address

Employees shall be aware of the methods and observations that may be
used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the
work area (such as monitoring conducted by the employer, continuous
monitoring devices, visual appearance or odor of hazardous chemicals
when being released, etc.) Awareness shall include detection methods or
systems.

Physical (fire, explosion, etc.) and health hazards are associated with
the chemicals in the work area. The employee will become familiar with
the chemicals in their work area by examining the MSDS for these
chemicals they will use or come in contact with. Employees who require
emergency medical treatment after exposure to a chemical should take a
copy of the MSDS to the medical facility. Prior to working with
hazardous materials, employees will be familiarized with the measures
employees can take to protect themselves from these hazards including
specific procedures the employer has implemented to protect employees
from exposure to hazardous chemicals, such as appropriate work
practices, emergency procedures. Spill clean up and emergency contact
numbers are made available to employees through the use of MSDS sheets
and institutional services communications. Secondary container shall be
labeled by the employees involved in the use of the materials. If work
activities are performed by employees in areas where chemicals are
transferred through unlabeled pipes the employee shall be informed of
the contents of these lines prior to starting work in these areas.

Employees will be informed of the proper personal protective equipment
(PPE) required for their work to include when it is required, how to use
the PPE, and how to maintain and store it.

  -------------- --------------- -------------- ------------ -------------
  **Process and  **Chemicals     **Location of  **PPE        **Spill or
  Location**     Involved**      MSDS**         Required**   Leak
                                                             Detection
                                                             Method**

                                                             

                                                             

                                                             

                                                             

                                                             
  -------------- --------------- -------------- ------------ -------------

This Work Area Implementation is effective upon signature by the Chief,
Code 840.

*[\_\_\_Original Signed by\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_on
8/9/2005\_\_\_]{.underline}*

Jay Pittman Date

Chief, Code 840