NFPA Journal - May/June 2013 - (Page 72)

— . CODES IN REVIEW . — NFPA 704 3 4 TWO APPROACHES, ONE HAZARD 2 EPICHLOROHYDRIN 1 UN No. 2023 3 2 DANGER 4 Flammable liquid and vapor. Toxic if swallowed. Toxic in contact with skin. Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. May cause an allergic skin reaction. May cause cancer. 5 Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapors/spray. Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection Fill Weight: 18.52 lbs. Gross Weight: 20 lbs. Expiration Date: 1/13/2018 6 Lot Number: A0323111323 Fill Date: 1/15/2012 HYPOTHETICAL CHEMICAL CORP. • Quincy, Massachusetts, USA related hazards addressed by NFPA 704. The NFPA system enjoys a much broader application as a hazardous chemical information resource than originally envisioned. Much of that increased use occurred during the 30 years following the issuance of the original HCS standard by OSHA in 1983. Since then, employers have utilized the NFPA 704 system widely in their efforts to comply with the HCS requirement for educating employees. Because the NFPA 704 72 NFPA JOURNAL MAY/JUNE 2013 201 system limits its application to acute hazards, it would not be sufficient to comply with the HCS requirements without some augmentation. OSHA acknowledged that employers could use the NFPA 704 system as a HazCom compliance resource, provided their program addressed the differences between the systems and employees received training on those differences. In the 1980s, the United Nations began holding discussions on the cre- The compound epichlorohydrin is used in a variety of industries for the production of glycerol, plastics, epoxy glues and resins, and elastomers. It is highly reactive and is a significant health hazard. The NFPA 704 hazard rating label for epichlorohydrin, at left, includes a “4” for the blue health hazard, the highest rating, meaning the hazard can be lethal. The red flammability hazard is a “3,” meaning it can be ignited under almost all ambient temperatures. The yellow instability hazard is rated as a “2,” meaning violent chemical change is possible at high temperatures or pressures. The white special hazard space is empty because the compound poses no special hazard. The U.N.-GHS hazard labeling standard adopted by OHSA takes a different approach. Each label requires, 1) a product identifier and identification number, in this case the name of the compound and its U.N. identification number; 2) a signal word, either danger or warning; 3) pictograms depicting associated hazards, in this case, clockwise from top, flammable, toxic if swallowed, skin burns and eye damage, may cause cancer; 4) a written list of associated hazards; 5) precautionary statements related to the hazard; and 6) supplier information. The pictograms do not include numbered hazard ratings, but supporting information in the safety data sheets does include numerical ratings, which are organized with “1” being the most serious level of hazard—the opposite of the hazard rating scale used in NFPA 704 and a source of potential confusion for users. ation of a new “globally harmonized system,” a single system for evaluating and identifying chemical hazards that would be adopted and used to protect workers and the environment worldwide. OSHA represented the United States during these negotiations. The result was the set of guidelines described in the U.N. document “Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals,” commonly referred to as The Purple Book,

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - May/June 2013

NFPA Journal - May/June 2013
Contents
First Word
In a Flash
Perspectives
Firewatch
Research
Heads Up
Structural Ops
In Compliance
Buzzwords
Outreach
Electrical Safety
Wildfire Watch
Treasurer's Report
Work in Progress
Amping It Up
Drill Team
Working Together
Code Process 2.0
Routine Maintenance
Here, There, Everywhere
Section Spotlight
Expo Preview: Exhibitors' Showcase
Looking Back

NFPA Journal - May/June 2013