What You Need to Know About Chemical Exposure - common terms

 

"Chemical (Toxic)" means a chemical that exposes a person by absorption through the skin, inhalation, or through the bloodstream that causes illness, disease, or death. The amount of chemical exposure is critical in determining hazardous effects. Check Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and/or OSHA 1910.1000 for chemical hazard information. Glossary of terms used in SDS's.

 

"Exposure or exposed" means that an employee is subjected in the course of employment to a chemical that is a physical or health hazard, and includes potential (e.g. accidental or possible) exposure. "Subjected" in terms of health hazards includes any route of entry (e.g. inhalation, ingestion, skin contact or absorption.)

 

"Hazardous chemical" means any chemical which is a physical hazard or a health hazard.

 

"Hazard warning" means any words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof appearing on a label or other appropriate form of warning which convey the specific physical and health hazard(s), including target organ effects, of the chemical(s) in the container(s). (See the definitions for "physical hazard" and "health hazard" to determine the hazards which must be covered.)

 

"Health hazard" means a chemical for which there is statistically significant evidence based on at least one study conducted in accordance with established scientific principles that acute or chronic health effects may occur in exposed employees. The term "health hazard" includes chemicals which are carcinogens, toxic or highly toxic agents, reproductive toxins, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, agents which act on the hematopoietic system, and agents which damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes. Select on the Appendix A button it provides further definitions and explanations of the scope of health hazards covered by this section, and Appendix B describes the criteria to be used to determine whether or not a chemical is to be considered hazardous for purposes of this standard.

 

"Identity" means any chemical or common name which is indicated on the safety data sheet (SDS) for the chemical. The identity used shall permit cross-references to be made among the required list of hazardous chemicals, the label and the SDS.

 

"IDHL" means immediately dangerous to life and health.

 

"Label" means any written, printed, or graphic material displayed on or affixed to containers of hazardous chemicals.

 

"Material safety data sheet (MSDS)" Updated May 1, 2012 now called Safety Data Sheets (SDS) means written or printed material concerning a hazardous chemical which is prepared in accordance with paragraph (g) of this section.

 

"Mixture" means any combination of two or more chemicals if the combination is not, in whole or in part, the result of a chemical reaction.

 

"mg/m3" means milligrams per meter cubed.

 

"PEL" means permissible exposure limit.

 

"Pictogram" means a new picture designed for rapid recognition of hazards that are now required to be on labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS's). (Hazcom Pictograms)

 

"ppb" means parts per billion 1x10-9.

 

"ppm" means parts per million 1x10-6.

 

"SDS" means safety data sheet - new term for "material safety data sheet".

 

"STEL" means Short-term exposure limit.

 

"TWA" means time weighted average.

 

"VOC" means volatile organic compound.

 

 

 

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