Question

In addition to compliance with the elements of the HazCom Standard, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employers develop and implement an effective hazard communication program. Select the HazCom program elements you would measure for compliance and effectiveness, explain how you would measure them, and the criteria you would use to determine both compliance and effectiveness.

Your response must be at least 500 words in length.

Answer 1

The elements of a HazCom program are as followed:
1) Learn the standards- Learn what OSHA requires
2) Prepare and Implement a Written Hazard Communication Program- Develop a plan for your felicity.
3) Ensure Containers are Labeled-Make sure all containers are labeled correctly.
4) Maintain Safety Data Sheets- Maintain safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical in the workplace.
5) Inform and Train Employees- Ensure that all employees are trained on your Hazard Communication Program.
Evaluate and Reassess Your Program- Review your hazard communication program periodically to make sure that it is still working and meeting its objectives.
The HazCom program elements I would measure for compliance and effectiveness are Ensure Containers are Labeled, Maintain Safety Data Sheets, Inform and Train Employees and Evaluate and Reassess Your Program.
The compliance and effectiveness of the element of Ensure Containers are Labeled can be measured by doing and audit of your facilities chemicals to ensure they are all labeled correctly. If you find that all the containers are labeled correctly then you are complaint. If you find containers that are not labeled, then you are not compliant. When you’re not complaint you do not have an effective labeling program and will need to review your program and make the necessary adjustments.
The compliance and effectiveness of the element of Maintaining a Safety Data Sheets can be measured by making sure that all chemical used in the facility are listed and accounted for. As time goes on different chemical come and go. During your review you see that all the chemicals are listed, then you are complaint. If you notice you’re missing a few chemicals or have some that are no longer used, then you are not complaint. You will not have an effective Safety Data Sheets if you are missing or have chemicals no longer used. Ensure that the Safety Data Sheets is always up to date to maintain your compliance and effectiveness.
The compliance and effectiveness of the element of Inform and Train Employee to me is the most important one and can be measured by doing testing the employee to ensure maximum retention of the material provided. You can also do spot checks on the floor of the facility to ensure the employees are uses and have retained the information provided. You can also measure the by the reduction in incidents and injuries that are recorded. If you do not have an effective training program, then you are putting your employees at risk for injury or illness.
The compliance and effectiveness of the element of Evaluate and Reassess Your Program can be measured by the amount of adjustments that are need to be made in order to stay complaint with OSHA standards. When you do your assessment of your program, as a whole, and you find no issues with any other element of your program, then you know your program is effective. If one of the other elements of your program are lacking, then the whole program may not be effective.