II. D. 3. c. Hazardous Materials
In accordance with the Public Employee Hazardous Chemical Protection and Right to Know Act of 1988, the Central Office and State Technical Colleges shall develop plans and establish procedures to safeguard the health and safety of their employees when working in contact with or proximity to hazardous chemicals. Under the law a "hazardous chemical" means any chemical which is a physical or health hazard as those terms are defined in the law.
Each workplace in the Department shall have in place an approved Hazard Communications Plan designed to provide measures to protect department employees when working in contact with or proximity to hazardous chemicals. This plan shall be approved by the Commissioner and the Georgia Department of Labor in accordance with its Public Employee Hazardous Chemicals Protection and Right to Know Rules, 300-3-19-01 et seq. This plan shall govern employee activities when performing tasks or procedures when working in contact or proximity to hazardous chemicals.
Requirements under this policy will be reviewed periodically and will be revised in accordance with Georgia Department of Labor requirements, guidelines and recommendations.
Each Technical College will develop a local plan and related policies designed to address employee exposure to hazardous chemicals and employee hazard communication. This plan shall contain, at a minimum, those elements identified in the Plan Approval Checklist provided by the Georgia Department of Labor. Each employee shall be made aware of the plan and related policies through appropriate means such as staff development activities.
Each Technical College shall designate an individual to serve as the Technical College hazardous chemicals communications coordinator. This individual shall be responsible for preparation, implementation and monitoring of the elements of the Technical College hazard communication plan.
The hazardous chemicals communication plan shall be approved by both the Commissioner and the authorized representative of the Georgia Department of Labor. The Georgia Department of Labor must provide written approval/authorization for all formal training to be conducted to meet the requirements of O.C.G.A. §45-22-1 to §45-22-12.
An employee information poster describing employee rights under O.C.G.A. §45-22-1 to §45-22-12 shall be posted in all appropriate workplaces in a prominent manner so that it is routinely visible to all employees. For those workplaces in geographically dispersed work areas, a poster shall be placed in each work area.
The hazardous chemicals coordinator shall also make arrangements for and/or provide appropriate and adequate training in the area of hazardous chemicals for all employees. Training is required prior to initial assignment of an employee to a workplace and periodic retraining is required on at least an annual basis.
The hazardous chemicals coordinator shall also maintain a master log of all associated training activities which shall be maintained for at least three (3) years after the training is completed.
The Central Office and each Technical College shall provide appropriate person protective equipment (PPE) for use by employees as required in each work environment and shall provide training to employees on the use and maintenance of this equipment.
Employee training on the notification and use of hazardous chemicals shall be documented in the employee's personnel file.
Employees shall follow appropriate procedures specified in the hazardous communication plan when performing duties, tasks and activities proximity to hazardous chemicals.
References
O.C.G.A. §45-22-1 to §45-22-12 Public Employee Hazardous Chemical Protection and Right to Know Act of 1988
Public Employee Hazardous Chemicals Protection and Right to Know Rules, 300-3-19-01 et seq.
The Right to Know Program of the Environmental Safety Division of the University of Georgia
Chemical Hygiene Plan of the Environmental Safety Division, University of Georgia
Adopted: March 3, 1994
Revised: October 3, 2001
Code: 09-05-19
Approved