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Hazardous Materials

Hazard Communication

The Web: Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) provides a common and coherent approach to classifying chemicals and communicating hazard information on labels and safety data sheets. PDF: TAMIU's Hazard Communication Program provides information to students, faculty and staff on these chemical hazards and appropriate protective measures and includes further information on the these requirements including:

  • Chemical Labeling
  • Pictograms
  • Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
  • Employee Training

Chemical Labeling

The HCS requires that information about chemical hazards be conveyed on labels using quick visual notations to alert the user, providing immediate recognition of the hazards. Labels must also provide instructions on how to handle the chemical so that chemical users are informed about how to protect themselves.

The label provides information to the workers on the specific hazardous chemical. While labels provide important information for anyone who handles, uses, stores, and transports hazardous chemicals, they are limited by design in the amount of information they can provide. Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), which must accompany hazardous chemicals, are the more complete resource for details regarding hazardous chemicals.

OSHA Quick Card - Labeling

Pictograms

The HCS requires pictograms on labels to alert users of the chemical hazards to which they may be exposed. Each pictogram consists of a symbol on a white background framed within a red border and represents a distinct hazard(s). The pictogram on the label is determined by the chemical hazard classification.

GHS Pictograms and Associated Hazards
Compressed Gas Cylinder Corrosion Environment Exploding Bomb Flame Over Circle
Compressed Gas Corrosive Environmental Exploding Bomb Oxidizer
  • Gases under pressure
  • Skin corrosion/burns
  • Eye damage
  • Corrosive to metals
  • Aquatic toxicity
  • Explosives
  • Self-Reactive
  • Organic Peroxides
  • Oxidizers
GHS Pictograms and Associated Hazards
Health Hazard Flame Exclamation Mark Skull & Crossbones
Health Hazard Flammable Sensitizer Skull & Crossbones
  • Carcinogen
  • Mutagenicity
  • Reproductive Toxicity
  • Respiratory Sensitizer
  • Target Organ Toxicity
  • Aspiration Toxicity
  • Flammables
  • Pyrophoric
  • Self-Heating
  • Emits Flammable Gas
  • Self-Reactive
  • Organic Peroxides
  • Irritant (skin and eye)
  • Skin Sensitizer
  • Acute Toxicity (harmful)
  • Narcotic Effects
  • Respiratory Tract Irritant
  • Hazardous to Ozone Layer
  • Acute Toxicity (fatal/toxic)

Safety Data Sheets

The SDS includes information such as the properties of each chemical; the physical, health, and environmental health hazards; protective measures; and safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting the chemical. The information contained in the SDS is largely the same as the MSDS, except now the SDSs are required to be presented in a consistent user-friendly, 16-section format.

 

includes product identifier; manufacturer or distributor name, address, phone number; emergency phone number; recommended use; restrictions on use.

includes all hazards regarding the chemical; required label elements.

includes information on chemical ingredients; trade secret claims

includes important symptoms/effects, acute, delayed; required treatment.

lists suitable extinguishing techniques, equipment; chemical hazards from fire.

lists emergency procedures; protective equipment; proper methods of containment and cleanup.

lists precautions for safe handling and storage, including incompatibilities.

lists OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs); ACGIH Threshold Limit Values (TLVs); and any other exposure limit used or recommended by the chemical manufacturer, importer, or employer preparing the SDS where available as well as appropriate engineering controls; personal protective equipment (PPE).

lists the chemical’s characteristics.

lists chemical stability and possibility of hazardous reactions.

includes routes of exposure; related symptoms, acute and chronic effects; numerical measures of toxicity.

(non-mandatory)

(non-mandatory)

(non-mandatory)

(non-mandatory)

includes the date of preparation or last revision.

TAMIU complies with the requirement to have SDSs that are readily accessible to employees for hazardous chemicals in the workplace using Web: MSDS Online. Individuals in various laboratories can scan the QR code on the entrance door to open the website or by clicking the link below.

PDF: TAMIU Hazard Communication Program

Web: Chemical Management

Training

Assigned employees must complete training via TrainTraq.

In the event of a chemical spill or splash, contact your supervisor and UPD (x2911) or 911

Shipping Hazardous Materials

Before you offer hazmat for shipment, you—the shipper—are responsible for properly classifying and packaging your material with the correct hazard communications (e.g., marks, labels, and shipping documentation). If you are looking to ship a hazardous material, please notify TAMIU EHS of your expected shipment (at least two weeks before the anticipated shipment date).

** Please get in contact with safety@tamiu.edu **

Frequently Asked Questions

Hazmat is a substance that can pose an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce. The term includes a broad array of materials sorted into hazard classes and divisions by hazard type.
Hazmat can pose a significant safety risk while in transportation. DOT has carefully designed specific packaging, marking, and labeling requirements to ensure proper handling and safe transport. These requirements can vary between different hazard classifications, so it is imperative to first correctly identify the hazard posed by the material you plan to ship. Hazmat transportation requirements are tailored to the risks presented by each material. You need to know what you are shipping before you can properly contain the hazmat and communicate its risk.
There can be serious Web: civil and even criminal penalties for not complying with the hazmat transportation regulations. DOT aims to make compliance information readily available, clear, and understandable. We all need to do our part to protect people from hazardous materials accidents and incidents.

Material-Specific Fact Sheets

Web: Flammable Liquids

Web: Dry Ice

Web: Lithium Batteries

Web: Aerosols

Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Department

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Texas A&M International University
University Police Department - 160
5201 University Boulevard
Laredo, Texas, 78041

956.326.2194
safety@tamiu.edu