5. INFORMATION AND TRAINING

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The University of the South shall provide information and training to its employees about the Hazard Communication Standard and about safety measures for working with hazardous substances. Training will be primarily given during normal working hours.

Employees shall receive information and training when they are first hired or assigned to work in an area where they may be exposed to hazardous substances. They also will receive information and training when new hazardous substances are introduced into their work area.


5.1 Information and Training Program

General information and training is provided by the Department Safety Coordinator and the EHS office. The information shall include:

1. requirements contained in the Standard:

· Hazardous Substance Identification
· MSDS Availability
· Labeling
· Training and Information

2. operations and work areas where hazardous substances are present;

3. location and availability of the Sewanee written Hazard Communication Program, including lists of hazardous substances and MSDS's;

4. employee rights described in the Standard.

The training shall include:

1. methods and observational techniques used to determine the presence or release of
hazardous substances in the work area;

2. a general description of physical and health hazards of chemicals;

3. steps The University of the South has taken to lessen or prevent exposure to hazardous substances;

4. equipment safety features, work practices and protective equipment employees can use to lessen or prevent exposure to hazardous substances;

5. emergency procedures to follow if employees or students are exposed to hazardous substances;

6. explanation of the information that MSDS's contain, including an introduction to a sample MSDS;

7. explanation of the labeling system used in the workplace;

8. instruction in where and how to obtain appropriate hazard information from MSDS's and labels.

Specific information and training is then provided by supervisory personnel, including verbal instruction and demonstrations concerning:

1. the physical and health hazards of chemicals in the work area;

2. hazards associated with specific campus operations;

3.required protective equipment and the correct fitting and use of that equipment.


5.2 Non-Routine Tasks

Non-routine tasks, such as spill cleanup or tank cleaning, are conducted under the direction of supervisory personnel. Prior to starting work on the non-routine task, affected employees will be given information by their supervisors about the hazards to which they may be exposed. This information shall include:

1. Specific chemical hazards

2. Protective and safety measures the employee must take

3. Measures the University has taken to lessen the hazards including ventilation, respirators, presence of another employee, and emergency procedures where appropriate.


5.3 Employees of Contractors

Employees of contractors are not generally used for operations that involve direct contact with hazardous substances. The only exposure that they may encounter on campus would result from contact with airborne contaminants or from an accident involving a substance.

It shall be the responsibility of supervisory personnel to provide contractors under their supervision with the following information prior to the starting of work:

1. Hazardous substances to which the employees of the contractor may be exposed while on the job site;

2. Precautions that they can take to lessen the possibility of chemical exposure.

3. These employees will have access to material safety data sheets if they wish.