3040 – 02 – Finding MWF Information Resources

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Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines state that an employer needs to guarantee a safe, hazard-free working environment for all employees. The employee needs to know and follow all the safety procedures and training that may be needed.

Any information and training about the chemicals the workshop uses need to be provided by your employer. This training can be found through labels, safety data sheets (SDS), and chemical training.

OSHA also states that a written hazard communication program configuring how Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requirements will be used in the workplace. These guidelines need to be shown at all times and kept up to date on a steady basis. OSHA guidelines go further and state permissible exposure limits (PEL) for any fluids and chemicals that may be airborne. The PEL banks on the different fluids in use which are based on a time-weighted average over an eight hour shift and short-term exposure limits (STEL) over a much shorter exposure. These are based on a worker who has good health but even then these workers may have issues with exposure.

Even if MWF’s are used in a safe manner by many workers, if unsafe practices are applied, or if fluids are not maintained then accidents may occur. Most importantly, if you notice an unsafe practice or health hazard, alert your supervisor.