OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Question 1

What types of information must be provided on each Safety Data Sheet (SDS)? (OSHA, 29CFR1910.1200(g)(2)(i to xii))

Answer 1

a) Identification;
b) Hazard(s) identification;
c) Composition/information on ingredients;
d) First-aid measures;
e) Fire-fighting measures;
f) Accidental release measures;
g) Handling and storage;
h) Exposure controls/personal protection;
i) Physical and chemical properties;
j) Stability and reactivity;
k) Toxicological information;
l) Ecological information;
m) Disposal considerations;
n) Transport information;
o) Regulatory information; and
p) Other information including date of preparation or last revision

Question 2

What is the definition of a “responsible party”? (OSHA, 29CFR 1910.1200(c))

Answer 2

Someone who can provide additional information on the hazardous chemical and appropriate emergency procedures, if necessary.

Question 3

What is a “self-reactive chemical”? (OSHA, 29CFR 1910.1200B.8.1)

Answer 3

Self-reactive chemicals are thermally unstable liquid or solid chemicals liable to undergo a strongly exothermic decomposition even without participation of oxygen (air).

Question 4

What is an “oxidizing liquid”? (OSHA, 29CFR 1910.1200B.13)

Answer 4

Oxidizing liquid means a liquid which, while in itself not necessarily combustible, may, generally by yielding oxygen, cause, or contribute to, the combustion of other material.

Question 5

What are six elements that must be included in an emergency action plan? (OSHA, 29CFR1910.38(c))

Answer 5

1) Procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency;
2) Procedures for emergency evacuation, including type of evacuation and exit route assignments;
3) Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate;
4) Procedures to account for all employees after evacuation;
5) Procedures to be followed by employees performing rescue or medical duties; and
6) The name or job title of every employee who may be contacted by employees who need more information about the plan or an explanation of their duties under the plan

Question 6

When must protection against the effects of noise exposure be provided? (OSHA, 29CFR1910.95(a))

Answer 6

Protection against the effects of noise exposure shall be provided when the sound levels exceed those shown in Table G-16 when measured on the A scale of a standard sound level meter at slow response.

NOTE: You do not need to be an audiologist to answer this question. The point of the question is that when a certain level of noise is exceeded, protection is required.

Question 7

What should be done when employees are subjected to sound levels exceeding those referred to in the regulations? (OSHA, 29CFR1910.95(b)(1))

Answer 7

When employees are subjected to sound exceeding those listed in Table G-16, feasible administrative or engineering controls shall be utilized. If such controls fail to reduce sound levels within the levels of Table G-16, personal protective equipment shall be provided and used to reduce sound levels within the levels of the table.

Question 8

Adequate precautions shall be taken to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors. What are potential sources of ignition for flammable vapors? (OSHA, 29CFR1910.106(b)(6))

Answer 8

Sources of ignition may include open flames, lightning, smoking, cutting and welding, hot surfaces, frictional heat, sparks (static, electrical, and mechanical), spontaneous ignition, chemical and physical-chemical reactions, and radiant heat.

Question 9

What types of materials are involved in each of the following classes of fire? (OSHA, 29CFR1910.155(c)(8 to 11))

Answer 9

Class A: fire involving ordinary combustible materials such as paper, wood, cloth, and some rubber and plastic materials.
Class B: fire involving flammable or combustible liquids, flammable gases, greases and similar materials, and some rubber and plastic materials.
Class C: fire involving energized electrical equipment where safety to the employee requires the use of electrically nonconductive extinguishing media.
Class D: fire involving combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium and potassium.