OSHA’s HAZARD COMMUNICATION STANDARD
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In 1986, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration established the Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020). This Standard was based on the concept that workers have both a need and a right to know the identity of and the hazards associated with the chemicals that they work with. They also need to know what types of protective measures are in place to prevent workplace hazards.
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The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) was established to protect workers in all lines of work. However, for the purposes of our discussion here, we will deal specifically with the HCS as it applies to the field of Aviculture Microbiology and within the Aviary/Laboratory itself.
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The Hazard Communication Standard was designed to benefit both employers and employees. While it does alert aviary workers to the dangers associated with the chemicals that are used, it also helps employers provide a safer work environment by taking steps to reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals, use safer materials and establish proper work practices. These efforts benefit the aviculturist in that there will be fewer work-related illnesses and injuries caused by chemicals, thereby decreasing employee absence.
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The HCS requires that employers put into effect a hazard communication program. This program should be designed to allow employees to answer the following questions:
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 What types of chemicals am I working with?
 Can these chemicals harm me?
 How can I protect myself, birds and family from the harmful effects of these chemicals?
 What do I do in the event that something goes wrong?
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OSHA requires that certain steps must be taken by aviculturist to make sure that each and every worker in the aviary facility clearly understands the hazards associated with chemicals that are used. Specifically, the HCS requires workers to:
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 Inventory all hazardous materials.
 Obtain the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for all hazardous materials.
 Label all containers with appropriate hazard warnings.
 Properly use, store and dispose of all hazardous materials.
 Pre-plan for emergencies.
 Document what is to be done in the event of an emergency and who will do it.
 Train all employees in the proper use and care of hazardous materials.
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In the section to follow, we will discuss the requirements for developing a Hazard Communication Program. As the avicultural microbiologist, it is important to remember that compliance with this standard is a legal requirement. If you are an employee in a aviary or aviculturistt laboratory or any other business that provides microbiology services, you should know that your employer is legally obligated to comply with this Standard. If they are not, then you are working in an environment that may be unsafe and unprepared for a chemical emergency. Also, you are working in an environment that is not fully compliant with the law. If your employer is not following the rules outlined in this booklet, you may wish to provide a copy of this material to them to inform them of this responsibility. Adherence to this standard is crucial to the safety and well being of working in a laboratory.
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Inventory All Hazardous Materials
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To identify hazardous materials used in the aviculture microbiology lab, one should complete a "Chemical Inventory" which lists all of the chemical products by brand name, and the date acquired.
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