From Ron Pitcher, president of Pitcher Insurance Agency, specialists in risk management and insurance for the metal forming industry, comes this primer on hazard communications, the importance of Safety Data Sheets, and the proper labeling of product containers.
“Supervisors should ensure that employees know where all SDS are located,” Pitcher says. “Employees should familiarize themselves with the SDS for any hazardous material they work with or may be exposed to in the workplace, to fully understand the risks and take appropriate precautions, and know how to find information quickly in the event of a spill or accident.”
Regarding labeling requirements, every container, says Pitcher, must include:
- Product identifier
- Supplier information
- Pictogram
- Precautionary statement
- Signal words
- Hazard statement