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Hazmat Awareness Training

Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) are part of life in the industrialized world, and proper awareness of such substances is paramount in keeping a safe workplace. Most companies know what hazardous or toxic materials they use on a regular basis, and training is usually required for employees to know what to do with hazardous materials.

  1. On-Site Hazards

    • Nearly every work site stocks some hazardous material, even if it is a chemical used for cleaning. Other companies, particularly truck yards and shipping terminals, may handle any kind of hazardous or toxic substance at any time. Generally, though, companies will carry a list of hazardous materials that they handle.

    Orientation

    • Companies handling HAZMAT should brief new employees on handling hazardous materials, including site-specific emergency procedures. This orientation may be in the form of a class, or more often a videotaped lesson. This orientation should include evacuation procedures and location of staging areas. New employees should demonstrate they know HAZMAT safety before they are allowed to work on the site.

    Refresher Classes

    • Companies that handle large amounts of hazardous materials may have refresher classes to remind and further train employees on how to work around such materials. These classes may be more general, including personal protection and emergency procedures, or specific to the materials being handled.

    Placards

    • By law, hazardous and toxic materials are marked in a prescribed manner, and employees are expected to know how to decipher the placards. Generally, there are nine classes of placarded hazardous materials: explosives, compressed gases, flammable liquids, flammable solids, oxidizers, poisons, radioactive materials, corrosive liquids and miscellaneous materials. These placards are color-coded, and often marked with a four-digit UN number to identify the substance.

    Data Sheets

    • In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires businesses to keep material safety data sheets (MSDS) of all hazardous and toxic materials that may be on site. These data sheets include chemical properties and protective measures, and must be available for employees and emergency personnel to read. These data sheets are furnished by the manufacturer of the hazardous material, and are also available online.

    Safety Gear

    • Personal safety equipment may include masks, exposure sensors and gloves, and if an employee ignores such equipment, it's at great risk. In addition, a work site may have eyewash basins and safety showers in case of accidental exposure.

    In Case of Emergency

    • Employees trained in HAZMAT awareness should know how to detect a leak or release, and should know what to do about it in light of their job descriptions. The training covers signals so an employee knows when to evacuate the premises. Employees will be asked to know evacuation routes and protocols, as evacuated employees usually meet in a designated area to make sure everyone is safe.

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