Bernalillo County Hazard Communication Program PDF

**PURPOSE** This document outlines the roles and responsibilities of department personnel as it relates to the Bernalillo County Hazard Communication Program. **POLICY** It is the policy of the Bernalillo County Fire and Rescue that all individuals of this Department shall ensure compliance with...

**PURPOSE** This document outlines the roles and responsibilities of department personnel as it relates to the Bernalillo County Hazard Communication Program. **POLICY** It is the policy of the Bernalillo County Fire and Rescue that all individuals of this Department shall ensure compliance with the requirements of the Bernalillo County Hazard Communication Program. In addition, this program complies with the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 29 CFR 1910.1200. **PROCEDURE** I. **RIGHT TO KNOW COMPLIANCE CENTER** A. All stations shall have a "Right to Know Compliance Center" posted visibly in the station. 1. In the "Right to Know Compliance Center" there shall be a notice identifying where exactly to find the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) information including digital form. II. **LABELING** A. All bottles shall be properly labeled. 1. Labels are provided by the manufacturer. a. If there is no label on a bottle, a label must be requested through the Logistics Division. 2. b. If chemical characteristics (such as flammable or corrosive) are known, it shall also be included on the label. 3. III. **RESPONSIBILITES** A. Fire Chief 1. The Fire Chief or their designee shall develop, implement, and maintain a policy to enforce departmental compliance of the Bernalillo County Hazard Communication Policy. B. Logistics Division 1. Shall maintain and update the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) in a digital format for the Department. 2. Shall ensure that all new chemicals are delivered to the appropriate locations and appropriate personnel are made aware of the new chemical. 3. Shall provide replacement labels as requested by company officers. 4. Shall dispose of chemicals that are expired, no longer needed, or unidentifiable in the appropriate manner. C. Captain 1. Shall ensure that all stations have a "Right to Know Compliance Center" posted, clearly visible to the employees and the public. c. In the event that a "Right to Know Compliance Center" is NOT at the location a request must be submitted to Logistics for replacement. D. Company Officer 1. Shall ensure that all members are complying with the Bernalillo County Hazard Communication program. 2. Shall ensure that all company officer subordinatese participate in required Hazard Communication Training annually. 3. Shall be responsible for maintaining the chemical inventory at their station and substations. a. Officers shall know the maximum and minimum allowable chemicals/products on hand per standards set by the Logistics Division. 4. Shall ensure that personnel are aware of and understand the proper use and disposal of chemicals that are stored on site. 5. Will ensure that all members are complying with the Bernalillo County Hazard Communication Program. 6. Shall enforce safety practices such as: a. Using the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) specified on the SDS. b. Implementing safety precautions and procedures for operations which involve the use of hazardous chemicals. c. Utilizing the SDS as a reference 7. When receiving a new chemical(s): a. Verify that a digital SDS has been uploaded into SharePoint located in the Field Operations section, b. If there is no SDS for the product, contact the Logistics Division so they can obtain and upload the document. 1. Chemicals should not be used if there is no SDS and personnel are not familiar with the chemical/product. c. If a chemical/product may need to be transferred from its original container they shall see that it is done in the appropriate manner and labeled appropriately as per section II of this policy and procedure. 1. Shall participate in required Hazard Communication Training annually. 2. Shall read the SDS and labels of products within their work area and become familiar with the safety precautions, chemical and physical properties, and potential health hazards of the chemicals prior to handling them. 3. Shall exercise all necessary precautions in the safe use of hazardous chemicals, including wearing personal protective equipment as specified on the SDS or recommended by Risk Management Loss Control/Safety. 4. Shall notify the Company Officer of any apparent deficiencies involving hazard communication, such as missing SDS, improperly labeled containers of hazardous chemicals, chemicals not listed on the hazardous chemical inventory for the work area, etc. 5. Shall report all working conditions that may cause substantial personal exposure to hazardous chemicals to the Company Officer. **REVIEW/REVISION** **6/16/2024** - Changed terminology from \"BCFD\" to \"BCFR\" (Section III, D). - Updated company officer responsibilities for compliance and training (Section III, D, 2 and 6). **1/23/2020** - Removed language describing consequences of following this policy. - I. A (1) Renamed MSDS to Safety Data Sheets (SDS) - III\. Responsibilities C & D. Changed to Captain Responsibilities from Commander and moved language requiring compliance with BC Hazard Communication Program to "Company Officer".