Safety Color Code for Marking Physical Hazards §1910.144(a)(1)(i)–(iii), (3)



Red

Red is the basic identification color of:
  • Fire protection equipment and apparatus
  • Danger
  • Stop
Safety cans or other portable containers of flammable liquids that have a flash point at or below 80°F, table containers of flammable liquids (open cup tester), excluding shipping containers, have to be painted red with some additional, clearly visible identification either in the form of a yellow band around the can or the name of the contents clearly stenciled or painted on the can in yellow.
Red lights must be provided at barricades and at temporary obstructions, as specified in ANSI Safety Code for Building Construction, A10.2-1944.
Danger signs have to be painted red.
Emergency stop bars on hazardous machines such as rubber mills, wire blocks, flat work ironers, etc., must be red.
Stop buttons or electrical switches on which letters or other markings appear, used for emergency stopping of machinery must be red.

Yellow

Yellow is the basic color for designating caution and for marking physical hazards such as:
  • striking against,
  • stumbling,
  • falling,
  • tripping, and
  • caught-in-between.

Respiratory Protection §1910.134(h)



Maintenance and Care of Respirators

Storage. The employer must ensure that respirators are stored in compartments or in covers that are clearly marked as containing emergency respirators.
Inspection. For respirators maintained for emergency use, the employer must:
  • Certify the respirator by documenting the date the inspection was performed, the name (or signature) of the person who made the inspection, the findings, required remedial action, and a serial number or other means of identifying the inspected respirator; and
  • Provide this information on a tag or label that is attached to the storage compartment for the respirator, is kept with the respirator, or is included in inspection reports stored as paper or electronic files. This information shall be maintained until replaced following a subsequent certification.

§1910.134(i)

Breathing Air Quality and Use

The employer must ensure that cylinders of purchased breathing air have a certificate of analysis from the supplier that the breathing air meets the requirements for Type 1-Grade D breathing air.
Compressors used to supply breathing air to respirators must have a tag containing the most recent change date and the signature of the person authorized by the employer to perform the change. The tag shall be maintained at the compressor.
Breathing gas containers marked in accordance with the NIOSH respirator certification standard, 42 CFR part 84 must be used.

§1910.134(j)

Identification of Filters, Cartridges, and Canisters

All filters, cartridges and canisters used in the workplace must be labeled and color coded with the NIOSH approval label. Labels must not be removed and remain legible.

Respiratory Protection for M. Tuberculosis §1910.139(d)(4); (f)(5); (g)(1)–(6)

Breathing Gas Containers

Breathing gas containers have to be marked according to:
  • American National Standard method of Marking Portable Compressed Gas Containers to Identify the Material Contained, Z48.12-1965;
  • Federal Specification BB-A-1034a, June 21, 1968, Air, Compressed for Breathing Purposes; or
  • Interim Federal Specification GG-B-00675b, April 27, 1965, Breathing Apparatus, Self-Contained.

Respirator Storage

Respirators placed at stations and work areas for emergency use should be quickly accessible at all times and should be stored in compartments built for this purpose. The compartments should be clearly marked.

Gas Mask Canister Identification

There are two ways to identify a gas mask canister:
  • By means of properly worded labels, and
  • By a color code.

Canisters that have a special high efficiency filter for protection against radionuclides and other highly toxic particulates must be labeled with a statement of the type and degree of protection afforded by the filter.
The label has to be put on the neck end of, or on the gray stripe which is around and near the top of the canister.
Each canister has to have a label warning that gas masks should be used only in atmospheres containing sufficient oxygen to support life (at least 16 percent by volume).
Each gas mask canister must be painted a distinctive color or combination of colors indicated in the following table:
All colors used must be clearly identifiable by the user and clearly distinguishable from one another. The color coating used shall offer a high degree of resistance to chipping, scaling, peeling, blistering, fading, and the effects of the ordinary atmospheres to which they may be exposed under normal conditions of storage and use. Appropriately colored pressure sensitive tape may be used for the stripes.

Storage and Handling of Anhydrous Ammonia §1910.111(b)(3), (4), (8), (9), (13); (e)(1); (g)(5)



Marking Nonrefrigerated Containers

System nameplates, when required, must be permanently attached to the system. All containers covered in §1910.111(c), (f), (g), and (h) have to be marked as follows:
  • With a notation "ANHYDROUS AMMONIA."
  • With marking identifying compliance with the rules of the Code under which the container is constructed.
    • Under ground: Container and system nameplate
    • Above ground: Container
  • With a notation whether the system is designed for under ground or above ground installation or both.
  • With the name and address of the supplier of the system or the trade name of the system and the date of fabrication.
    • Under ground and above ground: System nameplate
  • With the water capacity of the container in pounds at 60°F or gallons, U.S. Standard.
    • Under ground: Container and system nameplate
    • Above ground: Container
  • With the design pressure in pounds per square inch.
    • Under ground: Container and system nameplate
    • Above ground: Container
  • With the wall thickness of the shell and heads.
    • Under ground: Container and system nameplate
    • Above ground: Container
  • With marking indicating the maximum level to which the container may be filled with liquid anhydrous ammonia at temperatures between 20°F and 130°F except on containers provided with fixed level indicators, such as fixed length dip tubes, or containers that are filled with weight. Markings shall be in increments of not more than 20° F.
    • Above ground and under ground: System name plate or on liquid-level gaging device
  • With the total outside surface area of the container in square feet.
    • Under ground: System nameplate
    • Above ground: No requirements
  • Marking specified on the container has to be on the container itself or on a nameplate permanently attached to it.

Marking Refrigerated Containers

Marking specified on the container has to be on the container itself or on a nameplate permanently attached to it. Each container has to be marked as follows:
  • With the notation "ANHYDROUS AMMONIA."
  • With the name and address of the builder and the date of fabrication.
  • With the water capacity of the container in gallons, U.S. Standard.
  • With the design pressure.
  • With the minimum temperature in degrees Fahrenheit for which the container was designed.
  • With the maximum allowable water level to which the container may be filled for test purposes.
  • With the density of the product in pounds per cubic foot for which the container was designed.
  • With the maximum level to which the container may be filled with liquid anhydrous ammonia.

Hose Specifications

All hose ½ inch outside diameter and larger, used for the transfer of anhydrous ammonia liquid or vapor, must be etched, cast, or impressed every 5 feet with the following:
"ANHYDROUS AMMONIA" XXX p.s.i.g. (maximum working pressure), manufacturer's name or trademark, year of manufacture.
The same information may be contained on a nameplate permanently attached to the hose instead of the above requirement.

Safety Relief Devices

Every container safety-relief valve used with systems covered by §1910.111(c), (f), (g), and (h) of this section shall be plainly and permanently marked as follows:
  • With the symbol "NH3" or "AA";
  • With the pressure in pounds-per-square inch gage at which the valve is set to start-to-discharge;
  • With the actual rate of discharge of the valve at its full open position in cubic feet per minute of air at 60°F and atmospheric pressure; and
  • With the manufacturer's name and catalog number.
For example, "NH3 250–4050 Air" indicates that the valve
  • is suitable for use on an anhydrous ammonia container,
  • is set to start-to-discharge at a pressure of 250 p.s.i.g., and
  • that its rate of discharge at full open position is 4,050 cubic feet per minute of air.

Storage and Handling of Liquified Petroleum Gases §1910.110(b)(5), (11), (15); (c)(2); (g)(2), (12); (h)(3), (12)



Markings on Containers

Every container specified in Subpart H §1910.110(b)(3)(i)–(v) and containers used in LP-Gas system installations on commercial vehicles (§1910.110(g)) must be marked as follows:
  • With a marking identifying compliance with and other markings required by, the rules of the reference under which the container is constructed; or with the stamp and other markings required by the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors.
  • With notation as to whether the container is designed for underground or aboveground installation or both. If intended for both and different style hoods are provided, the marking shall indicate the proper hood for each type of installation.
  • With the name and address of the supplier of the container, or with the trade name of the container.
  • With the water capacity of the container in pounds or gallons, U.S. Standard.
  • With the pressure in p.s.i.g., for which the container is designed.
  • With the wording "This container shall not contain a product having a vapor pressure in excess of p.s.i.g. at 100°F." (see §1910.110(14)(viii)).
  • With the tare weight in pounds or other identified unit of weight for containers with a water capacity of 300 pounds or less.
  • With marking indicating the maximum level to which the container may be filled with liquid at temperatures between 20°F and 130°F, except on containers provided with fixed maximum level indicators or which are filled by weighing. Markings shall be in increments of not more than 20 °F. This marking may be located on the liquid level gaging device.
  • With the outside surface area in square feet.
  • Markings specified shall be on a metal nameplate attached to the container and located in such a manner as to remain visible after the container is installed.
  • When LP-Gas and one or more other gases are stored or used in the same area, the containers shall be marked to identify their content. Marking shall be in compliance with American National Standard Z48.1-1954, "Method of Marking Portable Compressed Gas Containers To Identify the Material Contained."

Vaporizer and Housing

Indirect fired vaporizers that use steam, water, or other means of heating have to be permanently marked as follows:
  • With the code marking that gives the specifications to which the vaporizer is constructed.
  • With the allowable working pressure and temperature for which the vaporizer is designed.
  • With the sum of the outside surface area and the inside heat exchange surface area expressed in square feet.
  • With the name or symbol of the manufacturer.

Loading or Unloading Points and Operations

When a tank car or transport truck is loading or unloading, a "TANK CAR CONNECTED" sign has to be installed at the active end or ends of the siding while the tank car is connected.

Cylinder Systems

Containers have to be marked according to DOT regulations. Additional markings that don't conflict with DOT regulations may be used.
  • Except as provided below, each container shall be marked with its water capacity in pounds or other identified unit of weight.
  • If a container is filled and maintained only by the owner or his representative and if the water capacity of each container is identified by a code, compliance with the above paragraph is not required.

LP-Gas

DOT containers have to be marked, maintained, and requalified for use according to DOT regulations.
A permanent caution plate has to be provided on the appliance or next to the container outside of any enclosure. It has to include the word "CAUTION" and the following instructions, or instructions using basically the same language:
  • Be sure all appliance valves are closed before opening container valve.
  • Connections at appliances, regulators, and containers must be checked periodically for leaks with soapy water or its equivalent.
  • Never use a match or flame to check for leaks.
  • Container valves must be closed when the equipment is not in use.

Liquified Petroleum Gas Service Stations

All container inlets and outlets except those listed below have to be labeled to show whether they connect with vapor or liquid (labels may be on valves):
  • Safety relief valves.
  • Liquid-level gaging devices.
  • Pressure gages.
"NO SMOKING" signs have to be posted where the customer being served can see them. The letters on these signs have to be at least 4 inches high.

Appendix F of CPL 2-2.59A Relationship of §1910.120(q) with other OSHA standards



The function of this appendix is to explain the HAZWOPER standard’s interface with other OSHA standards. It also covers Federal agency regulations as well as consensus guideline documents, which are not included in this document.

Relationship of §1910.120 with other OSHA standards

Expanded health standards

Section 1910.120 (a)(2)(i) states that when there is a conflict or overlap of coverage between standards, the provision that is more protective of employee safety and health shall apply. Employers must comply with all safety and health standards that are applicable to their workplace; however, certain provisions of HAZWOPER may be more protective than the analogous provisions of an expanded health standard. HAZWOPER does not completely supersede any standard; only those provisions of another standard that are addressed by HAZWOPER may be superseded if HAZWOPER is more protective.
  1. For example, Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs) may cite the provisions of one of two standards, the Ethylene Oxide (EtO) standard or HAZWOPER, depending on which provision offers more protection. The EtO standard provides instruction on exposure monitoring that is more protective than HAZWOPER; however, HAZWOPER offers more protection to employees responding to emergencies involving releases of EtO through its incident command system and HAZMAT training requirements.
  2. When a hospital uses EtO to sterilize instruments and there is a potential for a release that would cause an emergency, the hospital must establish an emergency action plan in accordance with §1910.38(a) if it evacuates all employees in the danger area and calls in outside assistance, or an emergency response plan in accordance with §1910.120(q)(1) if it expects its own employees to respond to releases.
  3. Other hazardous substances used by the hospital must also be addressed in their emergency response plan and/or emergency action plan, if there is a potential for a release that would cause an emergency.

Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) §1910.1200

The HCS requires that employers train employees who may be exposed or potentially exposed to hazardous chemicals. Employers are to train employees in (1) methods to detect a hazardous chemical, (2) the hazards of chemicals in the work area, (3) measures employees can take to protect themselves, and (4) the details of the hazard communication program (further clarified in §1910.1200(h)). It is important to note the objectives of both HAZWOPER and the HCS, especially where the two standards require training:
  1. The HCS is designed to ensure that employees are informed of the hazards associated with hazardous chemicals in the workplace, so that they may make informed judgments to protect themselves from exposure. The HCS does not require the employer to develop emergency procedures although HCS does require training in emergency procedures if the employer has already developed them. For example, when another standard (such as the Formaldehyde standard) requires an employer to develop emergency procedures, the employer would be required to incorporate those procedures into the HCS training program.
  2. Employers who fall under the scope of HAZWOPER must have either a written emergency response plan and/or an emergency action plan in accordance with §1910.38(a). If employers expect their own employees to respond to a potential emergency involving hazardous substances, then the employer must create an emergency response plan and the employees must be trained to perform the duties expected of them. HAZWOPER does not cover responses to incidental spills that do not have the potential for becoming an emergency. In such cases, OSHA enforces other applicable standards such as HCS, §§1910.119, 1910.132, 1910.134, and other OSHA standards.
  3. If employees are required to respond to spills that have the potential for becoming an emergency, then all of the provisions of §1910.120(q) are applicable. Therefore, in workplaces where there is a potential for emergencies, the employer’s HCS training program would have to address the HAZWOPER emergency response plan and/or emergency action plan. (Note that the HCS training can be adapted easily to encompass all of the required training competencies in §1910.120(q)(6)(i), the first responder awareness level, and that a single training session could satisfy the requirements of both standards.)

Employee emergency plans and fire prevention plans §1910.38(a)

Employers who will evacuate all employees from the danger area, and who will not permit any employees to assist in handling the emergency, have the option of creating a written emergency action plan in accordance with §1910.38(a) in lieu of an emergency response plan. Employers with 10 or fewer employees can communicate the emergency action plan orally and the employer need not maintain a written plan.
  1. When used to meet the requirements of HAZWOPER, §1910.38(a) requires employers to have an effective alarm system to alert employees of an emergency, evacuate all employees, and notify an emergency response team, such as a fire department that is trained in accordance with HAZWOPER.
  2. Employers who will train some of their employees to respond to an emergency release must create an emergency response plan. An emergency action plan is to be part of the emergency response plan for the evacuation of all employees in the area that are not essential for the response to the emergency.
  3. CSHOs shall follow the guidance below when citing an employer who has opted to create an emergency action plan in lieu of an emergency response plan:
    • (a) The CSHO shall cite §1910.38(a) if an employer with more than 10 employees merely expresses the intent to evacuate all employees from the danger area, and would not allow employees to assist in handling the emergency, but does not have a written emergency action plan. This intent must have been communicated to employees, which the CSHO may verify by employee interviews.
    • (b) The CSHO shall cite §1910.38(a) and §1910.165, the Employee Alarm Systems standard (referenced in §1910.38(a)), if there are deficiencies found in a written emergency action plan or alarm system.
    • (c) The CSHO shall cite §1910.120(q)(1) if the employer does not have a written emergency action plan, and has not expressed any intention to employees (i.e., the employer has done absolutely nothing in planning for emergencies).
    • (d) The CSHO shall cite §1910.38(a)(2)(v) if the employer has not established reasonable procedures in the plan for notifying both inside and outside parties of incidents so that employees are not at risk.

Occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories §1910.1450

Spills or releases of hazardous substances, emergency situations, etc., that occur inside a laboratory under the purview of the Laboratory standard, §1910.1450, and require an emergency response are covered by HAZWOPER. Incidental releases that can be safely handled by employees working with a chemical are not considered emergency responses. (For a discussion of the distinction between an incidental release and a release that requires an emergency, see Appendix E.)

Process safety management for highly hazardous chemicals §1910.119

The standard for Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals (PSM) covers processes in quantities at or above the threshold quantities specified in §1910.119(a)(1), except as provided by §1910.119(a)(2). The purpose of the standard is to prevent catastrophic releases of highly hazardous chemicals.
  1. Due to the nature of the facilities covered by the scope of the PSM standard, facilities covered by §1910.119 would have the potential for an emergency release.
  2. Facilities that fall under the scope of PSM shall establish and implement an emergency action plan in accordance with §1910.38(a). Paragraph (n) of the PSM standard states that employers covered by PSM “may also be subject” to the hazardous waste and emergency response provisions of §1910.120. If the employer plans to direct its employees to respond to emergency releases, the employer would be subject to §1910.120(q). (For further guidance see Appendix C of §1910.119 and OSHA Instruction CPL 2-2.45A, “Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals — Compliance Guidelines and Enforcement Procedures.”)
  3. The requirements of the PSM standard are geared toward preventing catastrophic releases, but they do not address the specific procedures for responding to such releases. HAZWOPER’s emergency response provisions apply to the actual emergency response effort at facilities covered by the PSM standard.

Occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens §1910.1030

The definition of “hazardous substance” found in HAZWOPER includes any biological agent or infectious material that may cause disease or death.
  1. The following are three scenarios where the Bloodborne Pathogens standard may interface with HAZWOPER:
    • clean-up of a hazardous waste site containing infectious waste (overlap with §1910.120(b)-(o) for clean-up operations);
    • Operation of a RCRA-permitted incinerator that burns infectious waste (overlap with §1910.120(p) for treatment storage and disposal (TSD) facilities); and
    • Response to an emergency caused by the uncontrolled release of an infectious waste, or where in fectious waste is part of the release (overlap with §1910.120(q) for emergency responses not otherwise covered by the standard).
  2. In the past, a medical waste incinerator was defined as a treatment, storage, and disposal (TSD) facility by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, recently Federal EPA allowed this definition to lapse and left the responsibility of specifying the status of a medical waste incinerator as a TSD facility to the State. Therefore, in States where medical waste incinerators are considered TSD facilities, §1910.120(p) applies.
  3. Section 1910.120(q) may apply to any other medical waste incinerator. In addition to complying with the Bloodborne Pathogens standard, these employers would be expected to comply with §1910.120 (q), which would require an emergency response plan and/or an emergency action plan. Employers may create one plan that would incorporate all of the applicable components of both standards.

Permit-required confined spaces §1910.146

The Permit-Required Confined Spaces (PRCS) standard covers sites or facilities that contain permit-required confined spaces as defined in §1910.146(b), “Definitions.” The purpose of the standard is to prevent unauthorized entry into a permit space and to establish adequate precautions and procedures for entry into permit spaces.
  1. Hazardous materials emergency response may involve permit-required confined spaces. Emergency response personnel and outside response parties may be required to enter permit spaces for rescue operations.
  2. While HAZWOPER addresses response procedures to emergency releases, it does not address response to incidents involving PRCSs with the detail provided in §1910.146. The requirements of the PRCS standard are targeted specifically toward work and emergency rescue as they relate to permit spaces. Employers who decide that their employees will enter PRCSs shall establish a PRCS program in accordance with §1910.146(d).
  3. The PRCS standard details specific requirements applicable to employers who have employees enter permit spaces to perform rescue services. These requirements include employee training, coordination with outside rescue services, and rescue retrieval systems, methods, and annual rehearsals.

Fire brigades §1910.156

The Fire brigade standard contains requirements for organization, training, selection of PPE, and preplanning during emergencies for private or industrial fire departments.
  1. The Fire brigade standard uses broader language than HAZWOPER in §1910.156(c): “The employer shall provide training and education for all fire brigade members commensurate with those duties and functions that members are expected to perform.”
  2. The Fire brigade standard addresses the need for industrial fire fighters to be aware of the MSDS, and requires written procedures and training for flammable toxic and radioactive materials; however, the emphasis is on structural fires. Employees within a fire brigade who are expected to respond to incidents involving hazardous substances must also receive HAZWOPER training.

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