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members learn best, whether it be via real-life examples of a chemical exposure or printed how-to guides. Make sure to also consider how frequently your team needs refresher courses. And remember to offer any relevant training to contractors you may bring onsite, as well.
The goal of an effective training program isn’t to give employ- ees materials to read; it’s to ensure each employee comprehends the material and understands how to build a safe workplace.
Where to Store Safety Data Sheets
OSHA notes that “employers must ensure that the SDSs are readily accessible to employees for all hazardous chemicals in their workplace.”
What does “readily accessible” mean? In the past, many em- ployers addressed this by filing their SDSs in a binder located in the work area. But as technology has developed, employers have started to file their SDSs in online databases.
While an online database helps employers more easily store and recover versions of SDSs, it’s important that every employee can access them. This means that if you use an online database, each employee should know the login credentials and how to ac- cess the SDSs within seconds.
Your site may choose to delegate SDSs to your SDS Manager, but it’s important that every employee could access these sheets if needed. Failing to do so could result in an OSHA violation.
A Culture of Safety Requires Buy-In
SDSs are the go-to place for hazardous chemical information at your worksite. Without them, you lose the resource that helps you properly assess chemical emergencies, administer care and dispose of any chemicals safely.
This is why maintaining your SDSs is so crucial. Although an emphasis on safety needs to come from the top, it takes your en- tire team to adopt it. Each component of your hazard communi- cations—from correctly filing SDSs in an accessible location to regularly conducting safety training—requires your team’s sup- port and energy. Establishing a culture of safety that complies with OSHA guidelines helps you protect your worksite and your employees.
Jade Brainard is the Product Director at KPA. REFERENCES
1. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/ standardnumber/1910/1910.1200
2. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/interlinking/standards/1910.1200(b) (6)(ix)
3. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/ standardnumber/1910/1910.1200
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