Hazard Communication/RTK
PEOSH Hazard Communication
Hazard Communication is the program that defines how the District warns employees of the hazards associated with the chemicals they use. In particular, hazard communications include providing inventories of hazardous substances in the workplace, providing safety information for hazardous substances, proper labeling of hazardous substances, and workplace related training on hazards.
All District employees should have general Hazard Communication knowledge for working in the District. However, the Hazard Communication Program directly affects all employees working in areas that store and/or use hazardous substances. All School district employees have the right to a safe workplace, and have the right to know:
- The identity of any hazardous chemicals that an employee may use or have exposure.
- The hazardous effects of these substances.
- The precautions to observe when handling these substances.
- Read Safety Data Sheets and Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets about the health hazards of the hazardous chemicals in the products.
Workers cannot be discriminated against for exercising their rights.
The New Jersey Worker and Community Right to Know Act
The New Jersey Worker and Community Right to Know Act has similar provisions to the PEOSH Hazard Communication Standard. The Right to Know Act requires public and private employers to provide information about hazardous substances at their workplaces. The Act:
- Informs public employees about chemical hazards at their workplace so they can work safely with these hazardous substances;
- Helps firefighters, police, and other emergency responders adequately plan for and respond to incidents such as fires, explosions or spills;
- Provides data for monitoring and tracking hazardous substances in the workplace and the environment.
How to Use Your Workplace Rights to Protect Your Health
The Right to Know Act gives employees certain rights and access to information about hazardous chemicals in their workplace. This information, kept in the RTK central file, informs workers about the health hazards of chemicals and ways to reduce or prevent their exposure to the chemical hazards. Learn to work safely with chemical hazards to protect your health and the health of your family members. To do so:
- Work only with labeled containers.
- Check your workplace RTK Survey to find out which products contain hazardous chemicals.
- Read Safety Data Sheets and Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets about the health hazards of the hazardous chemicals in the products.
Training
SafeSchools Training (secure login)
Resources
NJ Department of Health Right to Know