VISIT RIMKUS
Applied Safety + Ergonomics

Chemical Hazard Communication

We have expertise in human factors and chemical hazard communication in workplace, consumer, and community settings. We evaluate communications, including labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), against historic and present-day standards and norms. Our chemical hazard communication consultants have published and lectured on related topics and are also active in the Society for Chemical Hazard Communication.

Our expertise has been applied to a variety of chemicals and hazards such as:

  • Vinyl chloride
  • Asbestos
  • Welding consumables
  • Benzene
  • Pesticides
  • Groundwater contamination
  • Gasoline
  • Paints
  • Carbon monoxide
  • Carcinogens
  • Cosmetics
  • Aerosols
  • Adhesives
  • Flammables
  • Solvents
  • VOCs
  • Cleaners
  • Lead

We have an extensive reference library related to chemical hazard communication spanning the early 20th century through the present. Some of the resources we regularly consider include the following:

Workplace settings
  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, rulemakings, and interpretations
  • OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (“HazCom” or HCS)
  • OSHA chemical-specific standards (Vinyl Chloride Standard, Asbestos Standard, Benzene Standard, etc.)
  • OSHA Air Contaminants Standard
  • OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard
  • Bureau of Mines (BOM) and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) regulations
  • ANSI Z129.1 and ANSI Z400.1 standards for chemical labeling and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)
  • State regulations
  • American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLVs)
  • National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Health Hazard Evaluations (HHEs)

 

Consumer Settings
  • Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulations
  • Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA)
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations
  • Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
  • State regulations (e.g., California’s Proposition 65)

 

Historical Settings
  • Pre-OSHA safety and health regulations (e.g., Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act)
  • Pre-OSHA hazard communication regulations (e.g., Department of Labor Hazardous Materials Regulations for Ship Repairing, Shipbuilding, and Shipbreaking)
  • OSHA Cancer Policy
  • Manufacturing Chemists’ Association (MCA) Manual L-1: Guide to Precautionary Labeling of Hazardous Chemicals
  • National Toxicology Program (NTP) Reports on Carcinogens
  • International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs and carcinogen classifications
  • American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLVs)
  • Trade and industry publications

Contact Us

For immediate inquiries or assistance please contact our Ann Arbor, Michigan office at
1.734.994.9400 or info@appliedsafety.com

Applied Safety and Ergonomics has been providing valuable analysis, insight, answers, training, data, and problem solving strategies in consultation and expert witness capacities to help clients make informed decisions since 1994.