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 ORS - Hazard Communication


Hazard Communication Program

Appendix D:  HAZARD COMMUNICATION PROGRAM FOR OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires Northwestern University to inform contractors about the University's Hazard Communication Program. This chemical safety program is concerned with the safety of University personnel and your employees. Any work that you perform at Northwestern University must follow all applicable OSHA regulations and the guidelines listed below.  

  1. It is the University's policy to protect and support your employees from exposure to hazardous materials while they are working at the University. The department head or director is responsible for informing you of potential hazards and to remove or lower the risk of exposure to these hazards. Special care must be exercised by those working within a laboratory or servicing laboratory equipment. You and your employees must contact the department head or laboratory supervisor prior to working in a laboratory.

    2. If you feel that your University work site is unsafe because of hazardous chemicals, contact the department that hired you or the Office for Research Safety at (847) 491-5581 on the Evanston campus or (312) 503-8300 on the Chicago campus. To obtain material safety data sheets (MSDSs) for chemicals used at Northwestern University and to which you may be potentially exposed at a University work site, contact the department head or director who hired you or the Office for Research Safety.

  2. If the department head or the Office for Research Safety determines that the contracted work might be hazardous to the University community, you must take appropriate measures to adequately reduce the risks. All hazardous chemicals that you may use at Northwestern University must be in "break-resistant" containers and labeled with the chemical identity and hazard warnings. You must provide access by University personnel to MSDSs for the hazardous chemicals used at the work site. You are responsible for properly disposing of any hazardous waste that is created by the contracted work whether or not such disposal is specified in the contract. Contact the department that hired you for more detailed information. 
  1. Emergency Information for Injury, Fire, Hazardous Chemical Spill or Release: 
    • EVACUATE the area immediately in case of fire, explosion, or spill. 
    • PULL FIRE ALARM, if available in immediate area, in case of fire or explosion. 
    • CALL 911 
    • WAIT for emergency personnel. 
    • ASSIST emergency personnel. 

Further information can be obtained by telephoning the Office for Research Safety at (847) 491-5581 in Evanston or (312) 503-8300 in Chicago.

Internal ORS Links: What's New | Emergency Response | Administration | Biological Safety | Chemical Safety | Hazard Communication | Laboratory Safety | New to NU? | Radiation Safety

External ORS Links: Northwestern Home | Vice President for Research | Big 10 EH&S Links | Risk Management | Employee Safety Handbook

ORS - Evanston • 2145 Sheridan Road • Tech NG71 • Evanston, IL 60208
ORS - Chicago • 303 E. Chicago Avenue • Ward B106 W223 • Chicago, IL 60611
Phone 847/491-5581 or 312/503-8300 • FAX 847/467-2797 or 312/503-0547
e-mail researchsafety@northwestern.edu
Last Revision 05/16/2007
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