Session 5B

Control Procedures for Particularly Hazardous Substances

Upon completion of this session, you will learn additional methods to protect yourself from the hazards of specific types of chemicals such as carcinogens, reproductive toxins and highly toxic materials.

It should  take you about 10 minutes to complete this training session.  When you have read through the material, you will be asked to answer 5 questions.

The information presented in this section is a summary of the hazards and controls for these compounds.  This is done for training purposes.  However, if you wish to get more detailed information, please consult the CHSP.

OSHA established a category of chemicals known as particularly hazardous substances for which special precautions are required.  These include:

Carcinogens

• Carcinogenic agents may be organic chemicals, inorganic chemicals, hormones, or ionizing radiation. 
• Some carcinogens react directly with a cell's genetic information (the DNA), causing changes (mutations) that are incorporated into subsequent generations of that cell.
• Selected carcinogens are agents that are strongly implicated as sources of cancer in humans. 
• A composite list of select carcinogens is available in the CHSP.

• Reproductive toxins are agents that affect reproductive capabilities including chromosomal damage (mutations) and produce effects on fetuses (teratogenesis).
• Reproductive toxins can affect both men and women.
• Examples of adverse reproductive health effects include birth defects, spontaneous abortion, fetal developmental damage, impotency and infertility. 
• It is important to note that the first trimester of pregnancy is the period of most concern to the developing fetus because this is when the organs and the limbs are being formed. 
• During this period, many women may not yet be aware that they are pregnant.  For this reason, it is important that the use of reproductive toxins have been identified and that control measures must already be in place to protect the woman and her fetus from toxic exposure levels.
• Women who are (or are trying to become) pregnant must consult with Health Services before the start of any laboratory or shop activity involving reproductive toxins. 
• A list of reproductive toxins is provided at the California Proposition 65 Web Site.

• Substances of high acute toxicity include materials that may be fatal or cause damage to target organs from a single exposure or exposures of short duration.  They also include materials capable of causing intense irritation that can result in pulmonary edema (fluid and swelling in the lungs), chemical asphyxia, and systemic (body-wide) poisoning. 
• It is not practical to provide a list of substances of high acute toxicity in this document.  The MSDS or Micromedix/Tomes should be consulted to determine the toxicity of substances.  An EH&S Industrial Hygienist may also be consulted for additional guidance.

OSHA requires that the following four categories of controls be considered for operations and activities involving particularly hazardous substances:

• Establish posted designated areas.  A designated area may be a room, a section of a room, a bench top or a containment device (such as a lab hood).  Its purpose is to ensure that appropriate controls are in place and that all activities involving particularly hazardous substances are confined to the designated area.
• If you work in a designated area, you must be familiar with the hazards and controls for  materials used there.
• Designated areas are to be posted with a warning placard stating the hazard and that the area is restricted to authorized personnel.
• Use containment devices. Use a fume hood or other appropriate exhaust ventilation when handling particularly hazardous substances in a manner that may produce an airborne hazard.  You must be familiar with the proper use of fume hoods, gas cabinets and glove boxes.
• Ensure that particularly hazardous substances are segregated from other incompatible chemicals.
• Use secondary containment for the storage of liquids
• Use appropriate storage lockers and connect to exhaust ventilation if possible.
• Implement contaminated waste removal procedures. Note: compliance with LBNL waste handling policy and procedures as addressed in PUB 3000,  Chapter 20 Hazardous Waste Disposal meets this requirement.
• Establish decontamination procedures.  Decontamination procedures are necessary to minimize the spread of contamination to other areas. 
• These include practicing good housekeeping by wiping down work surfaces at the end of the day and cleaning up drips, residues and spills.
• You must dispose of all contaminated PPE and other materials used (such as absorbents and cloths) as hazardous waste.

Line managers shall evaluate the use of particularly hazardous substances in the work area to determine the extent of the hazards they present and to establish controls necessary to safeguard employee health.

MSDSs and other hazard databases for these materials should be reviewed and understood.

An EH&S Industrial Hygienist may be contacted to provide guidance.

Operations involving particularly hazardous substances may require an AHD.

• Go to Specific Controls Exams
• Go to CHST Table of Contents