COMDTINST 6260.21B
22 OCT 1993
Standard (reference (a)). This standard, which is applicable to the Coast Guard, requires
that employers initiate and comply with a hazard communication program for employees
that consists of:
(1)
An inventory of the hazardous materials which you would reasonably expect to
encounter in the workplace;
(2)
Data sheets providing information regarding the hazards presented, protective
measures to be taken and emergency first aid procedures to be followed for each
hazardous material;
(3)
Information labels on all hazardous material containers;
(4)
Specific training about how to use this information; and
(5)
A written program which sets forth how the employer will provide the above
information and training.
b.
Facilities required to have Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) available under the
OSHA Hazard Communication Standard are subject to certain requirements under Title III
of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986. Section 311
requires submission of the MSDSs or a list of the products/chemicals to local emergency
planning committees, appropriate State emergency response agencies, and local fire
departments. Further policy concerning SARA requirements will be provided in a separate
directive.
5.
SCOPE. This instruction applies to all Coast Guard units whose personnel use or are exposed
to hazardous materials in the workplace. This instruction also applies to units, such as those
actively engaged in marine safety activities, whose personnel do not use but may be exposed to
hazardous materials or their by-products in the workplace. For purposes of this instruction
only, the term exposure is defined as coming in physical contact with a hazardous material,
whether through contact with skin, inhalation or ingestion, without regard to the use of
personal protective equipment. All forms of a material may be involved, including liquid,
vapor, gas, solid, dust, mist and fume. The provisions of this instruction do not apply to office
workers, unless their job performance routinely involves exposure to hazardous chemicals.
Common household consumer products, such as detergents, bleach, waxes, furniture polish,
window cleaner, etc., are excluded from the requirements of this instruction provided they are
used in the same manner and quantities as would be expected in their typical consumer
applications. For the purposes of this
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