|
|
|
Messages Forum>
NFPA vs HMIS
johninga
2 posts
Feb 05, 2011
6:34 PM
|
I ordered your dental OSHA manual with Documentation Kit last Thursday. Thank you for all your e-mails. I have urgent questions. The answer may be in the coming package; however, I need an answer now. I received your download of HMIS. I see dental vendors (Patterson, Pearson, Sullivan Shein) selling HCLS (Hazardous material wall chart).
1. Do I need to order this HCLS wall chart? or is your HMIS sufficient?
2. I only see HCLS labels in dental vendor books. Do I need to order these HCLS labels to be compliant?
3. Is it true that if you have Chemical Identification labels, that no wall chart HCLS is needed?
4. What is NFPA numerical ratings with color coded system? Apparently if you have this, no wall chart is needed.
Please feel free to contact me by phone or email.
Thank you kindly,
John Inga DDS
702-914-8870
2500 Wigwam Parkway Suite 110
Henderson, NV 89074
Last Edited on 5-Feb-2011 6:35 PM
|
thomaskappil
43 posts
Feb 06, 2011
8:51 AM
|
Dear Dr Inga,
Thank you for your questions.
You do not need the wall chart. HMIS or HCLS is also not mandatory. The chart I sent you is just a guide to hazardous material identification. Here are the important requirements of Hazard Communication Standard (HCS):
• Preparing a Hazard Communication Plan
• Chemical identification labels for containers. You can create your own label for secondary containers. Primary containers will have their own original labels.
• MSDS for every chemical in your facility.
• Creating an inventory of chemicals present in your office.
• Training your employees in the requirements of HCS and use of PPE
Here is the difference between NFPA and HMIS:
At first glance HMIS and NFPA look similar, but there are some important differences.
HMIS is a complete system designed to aid employers and their employees in day-to-day compliance with OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard. It includes hazard evaluations; a rating system for acute and chronic health, flammability and physical hazards; labels providing at-a-glance information on the hazards and PPE; employee training; and a written compliance program. HMIS was developed by the NPCA.
NFPA is a fire protection hazard warning system designed to provide rapid, clear information to emergency responders on materials under conditions of fire, chemical spill, or other emergency situations. This labeling system was developed by the NFPA. Like HMIS, it includes labels and a numerical rating system, but the basic purpose of the label information is different.
HMIS is intended to be used by employers and workers on a daily basis and provides information on acute and chronic health hazards, flammability, physical hazard, and personal protective equipment. The system helps employers comply with OSHA's Hazard communication standard.
The emphasis of HMIS on personal protective equipment and hazard communication make it the better choice for keeping employees informed about every day workplace hazards and how they can minimize exposure.
NFPA label information is intended for use by emergency response personnel (fire fighters, hazardous materials workers, police, etc.) under emergency conditions. Labels contain information on acute health hazards, flammability, physical hazard and special characteristics that might require special fire fighting techniques, such as reactivity with water.
Facilities that store or use materials that require special handling under emergency situations find the NFPA system useful. The additional information on special characteristics is particularly useful during a spill or fire.
I hope I have given you sufficient information. Please feel free to contact me if you need any more clarifications.
Regards
Thomas
Last Edited on 6-Feb-2011 8:53 AM
|
|
|
