At Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health (NOAH), safety and compliance are paramount. To ensure the health and well-being of our employees, Support Services, Quality, and Risk teams have collaborated to establish a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) program. This initiative involves identifying chemicals used at each site and creating a standardized YELLOW SDS binder at each location for easy reference to approved information.
NOAH’s Hazard Communication Policy
NOAH is committed to regulating and approving any chemicals introduced to the workplace to prevent accidents and maintain a safe working environment. We comply with all applicable federal and state health and safety regulations and provide a written hazard communication plan accessible to all employees in the NOAH Policy Library.
Key Components of the SDS Program
Identifying Hazardous Chemicals
Each NOAH site maintains a YELLOW SDS binder listing all hazardous chemicals that employees may be exposed to. Every chemical has a corresponding sheet that provides detailed information on its physical, health, and environmental hazards. The product identifier on the SDS matches the identifier on its label for easy cross-referencing.
Labeling Containers of Hazardous Chemicals
To ensure safety and compliance, all hazardous chemical containers must have:
- The original manufacturer’s label with product identifier, signal words, hazard statements, pictograms, precautionary statements, and contact details of the manufacturer.
- Workplace labels that provide general information about the chemical’s hazards through words, pictures, symbols, or combinations.
The Public Safety Specialist is responsible for verifying that all containers are appropriately labeled before use. Workplace labels must be legible and in English.
Maintaining Safety Data Sheets
All employees have access to Safety Data Sheets during their shifts via the YELLOW SDS binder. The site’s Public Safety Specialist manages and updates these documents regularly to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Employee Training on Chemical Hazards
Before beginning work or handling new hazardous chemicals, employees must complete the Hazardous Materials/SDS training as part of the New Employee Orientation onboarding program. This ensures that all staff members are well-informed about chemical safety and hazard communication.
- SDS binders are located at the front desk of the health centers and admin locations
- All the chemical sheets are in alphabetical order by product name
- First aid for exposure is listed in Section 4. First Aid Measures
- Specific hazards to exposure can be found in Section 11. Toxicological Information
Chemical Restrictions and Approval Process
To maintain a safe workplace, NOAH enforces strict guidelines for chemical use:
- Employees must use only approved chemicals required for their job functions.
- If a new chemical is needed, it must be submitted to Support Services leadership for review and approval before purchase.
- Procurement will place a hold on any Purchase Orders (POs) containing unapproved chemicals.
- Any newly approved chemical will have associated education and documentation added to the SDS binders (both physical and virtual).
- Employees are prohibited from bringing chemicals from home unless pre-approved by Support Services leadership. Any unapproved chemicals will be removed from NOAH facilities until they are reviewed and either approved or disposed of properly. This includes chemicals such as Febreze, Pine-sol, or any type of aerosol air fresheners.
Commitment to Workplace Safety
The implementation of the SDS program underscores NOAH’s dedication to providing a safe and compliant work environment. By following these guidelines, employees can confidently handle hazardous materials while minimizing risks.
For further details, employees are encouraged to review the full hazard communication plan in the NOAH Policy Library. Together, we can uphold a safe and healthy workplace for everyone at NOAH.
For more information about SDS compliance or chemical use at NOAH, please reach out to Joe Slama at jslama@noahhelps.org.
