How to Identify Hazardous Chemicals
	How to List Chemicals in the Workplace

How to Identify Hazardous Chemicals

The responsibility for determining whether a chemical is hazardous lies with the chemical manufacturer or importer of a chemical. As a user of chemicals, you may rely on the evaluation received from these suppliers through labels on containers and safety data sheets (SDSs). To prepare a list of the chemicals in your facility that are covered by the rule, walk around and write down the names of chemicals that have a label indicating a potential hazard (e.g., "flammable" or "causes skin irritation"). Don't limit yourself to chemicals in containers, however. Be aware of substances generated in work operations such as fumes or dusts, as these may be covered too.

Chemicals considered to be hazardous are those:

• Regulated by OSHA in 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart Z, Toxic and Hazardous Substances;
  
  
• Included in the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) latest edition of Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances
  
  
• Found to be suspected or confirmed carcinogens by the National Toxicology Program in the latest edition of the Annual Report on Carcinogens, or by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in the latest edition of their IARC monographs.

Once you have a complete list, you will want to review it to determine if any of the items are exempted. In paragraph (b)(6) of the rule, OSHA has listed a number of items that are excluded. For example, rubbing alcohol maintained in the first-aid station would be exempt under paragraph (b)(6)(vi) because it is intended for personal use by employees. To be prudent, some employers include all chemicals even if they are exempted. In general, if there is any question regarding a particular chemical, it is best to include that chemical in the hazard communication program.

How to List Chemicals in the Workplace

All hazardous chemicals known to be present in your workplace should be listed using an identity that appears on the appropriate SDS and label for the chemical. The list may also include common or trade names, Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) Registry numbers, SDS reference numbers, etc. (A sample Hazardous Chemical List form is included in this kit). The list can be compiled for the entire workplace, or for individual work areas in various sections of the facility.

The list is to be an inventory of everything for which a safety data sheet must be obtained. It will be part of the written program, and must be made available to employees upon request.

The following list identifies some types of potentially hazardous chemicals that may be present in the workplace:

Hazardous Chemical List (PDF)

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