ize=-1 color=black>

Right-To-Know
OSU Safety Instruction Number 1
Open page for printing
Update January, 2000
Right-To-Know
The Right-to-Know Act was passed to ensure that both employees and employers know the identity and potential safety and health
hazards of substances used in the work place. The intent was to reduce occupational illnesses due to harmful exposures.
The Oregon OSHA Hazard Communication Standard requires manufacturers of substances that are a health or physical hazard to
prepare a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and provide it to individuals who purchase the product. Employers who use these
substances must retain the MSDS's and must provide training about the hazards to all employees who may be exposed to the
hazardous substances. Exposure includes both normal work operations and reasonably foreseeable emergency situations. (Most
chemical products used on the campus are considered hazardous.)
Exempted Products
1. Tobacco and tobacco products.
2. Wood and wood products.
3. Articles, manufactured items, or products that do not release or otherwise result in exposure to hazardous chemicals under
normal conditions of use.
4. Foods, drugs, and cosmetics (regulated by FDA) intended for personal consumption or use by the employees in the work
place.
5. Hazardous substance while in transport by rail car, air craft, interstate, and foreign motor vehicles regulated by DOT.
What Is On A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)?
1. Identity of chemicals found in the substance (chemical and trade names).
2. The immediate and long term health effects of exposure.
3. The routes of exposure and symptoms of overexposure.
4. The potential for fire, explosion, and reactivity.
5. Emergency procedures for spills, fire, disposal, and first aid.
6. Appropriate protective equipment and clothing.
Oregon State University maintains a computer file of all MSDS's in the Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) office at Adams Hall.
Computer users with 300/1200 baud modem may access the system by dialing extension 7-2469. Personnel can also request specific
MSDS's from EH&S. In an emergency, OSU employees may call Public Safety @ 7-7000 for 24 hour access to the MSDS data file.
OSU Hazard Communication Program
The University has charged EH&S to implement and administer the University's Hazard Communication Program. All departments
have been included in order to comply with the rule. This written program is in the
Safety Procedures Handbook
section of the
Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual. A copy of this manual is on file in department offices and in the EH&S office.
Employee Training
Environmental Health and Safety has prepared an extensive Right-to-Know training program that is offered to all departments. This
program covers the contents of the data sheets, the basic information about chemical toxicity, and how to avoid exposure. Further
training will be performed on specific hazardous substances in each department or job classification.
Your Right-To-Know
If you are concerned about any substance you are working with, call EH&S at 7-2273. EH&S can provide more complete information,
help interpret data sheets, and evaluate potential health effects of exposure based on your job environment. OSU Safety Instruction Number 4
Open page for printing
Update April, 2001
Prescription Safety Glasses
It is an Oregon State University policy and a State safety requirement that appropriate eye protection be provided to and worn by
employees whose jobs expose them to eye hazards. The minimum acceptable form of eye protection is safety glasses that meet the
requirements specified in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard 287.1, "Practice for Occupational and Educational
Eye and Face Protection".
Normal prescription glasses do not provided adequate protection from injury to the eyes and do not meet ANSI eye protection
specifications. In order to provide approved safety glasses for those employees who requires corrective lenses, a prescription safety
glasses program has been established and is coordinated by Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S). As in other cases where
personnel protective equipment is required, prescription safety glasses are considered a reasonable departmental expense.
To obtain prescription safety glasses an employee should follow the procedures outlined below:
1. The employee obtains and completes a "Prescription Safety Glasses Authorization Form." A copy of this form is on the back of
this bulletin. This form provides space for the departmental charge number and a supervisor's signature. The supervisor's
approval signifies that prescription safety glasses are a requirement of the employee's job and their purchase is approved by
the department.
2. The employee takes the completed authorization form and a current prescription to the currently selected eyeglass provider for
frame selection and fitting. Any examination which may be necessary to obtain the current prescription is at the employees
expense. It can be performed at the eyecare provider if desired.
3. The eyecare provider will notify the employee when the glasses are ready. The employee should return to the eyecare provider
for final fitting and delivery of the prescription safety glasses.
4. EH&S will invoice the employee's department for the cost of the safety glasses.
Contact EH&S at 7-2273 if there are any questions concerning the prescription safety glasses program or to obtain an authorization
form.
The currently selected optical vendor is Valley Eyecare, 1505 NW Harrison Blvd, 754-6222.
OSU Prescription Safety Glasses Request And Authorization Form (pdf)
OSU Safety Instruction Number 6
Open page for printing
Update January, 2000
First Aid Kits and Supplies
Oregon State Safety Code requires that first aid supplies be available in all work areas for the immediate treatment of minor injuries.
These first aid supplies must be stored in clearly marked containers, adequately protected from damage, deterioration, or
contamination, and should include at least the items listed below.
It is the responsibility of each department to determine how many first aid kits are needed for work areas and to develop a program
for maintaining these kits. A central laboratory, shop, or main administrative office is a good choice for the location of first aid kits.
Kits should be hung on the wall, be clearly visible, and each employee should be informed of locations. It is best to assign kit
maintenance to one individual. Kits should be inspected monthly and supplies replenished when necessary.
In the interest of reducing infectious disease spread by contact with blood or other bodily fluids, each first aid kit should contain an
Infection Control Kit. The kit includes two pairs of waterproof gloves, one Ziploc waste disposal bag, two sealed antiseptic/germicidal
wipes, one plastic garbage bag, and instructions on the use of the kit.
Complete first aid kits and replacement supplies are available at Facilities Services Stores(7-3373). These supplies with their
associated stock numbers are as follows:

Stock #
Description
35000
Kit, First Aid, 11 unit
35001
Bandage, Adhesive, 1" x 3", 16/box
35002
Bandage, Triangular, 1/box
35003
Pad, Gauze, 3" x 3", 4/box
35004
Compress, Gauze, 18" x 36", 2/box, or 24" x 72", 1/box
35005
Pad, wound cleaning, 5/box
35006
Tweezers
35007
Blanket, rescue, 1/box
35008
Bandage, Gauze, 2" x 6 yds., 2/box or 1" x 6 yds., 2/box
35009
Kit, Infection Control
35010
Scissors

This first aid kit is designed for locations where trained medical personnel can respond to an emergency within ten minutes. At those
OSU facilities where immediate medical response is not possible, a more extensive first aid kit is required along with proper training in
its use. Contact Environmental Health & Safety for advice on the types of first aid kits and training necessary for these remote sites. OSU Safety Instruction Number 8
Open page for printing
Update 10/07/2002
Hazardous Waste Disposal
Hazardous waste generated at Oregon State University must be disposed of through a system managed by Environmental
Health & Safety (EH&S). The designation "hazardous" refers to any substance that is corrosive, flammable, reactive, or toxic.
It does not refer to material that is only radioactive or biohazardous. Currently, hazardous waste is incinerated or treated (at
off-site locations).
Hazardous waste disposal is