02 Mar Hazardous Materials – What Is the Difference?

Hazardous Materials – What Is the Difference?

Hazardous materials are used throughout construction, manufacturing, maintenance, transportation, and everyday life. Paints, solvents, fuels, adhesives, cleaners, lubricants, compressed gases, and many other common products may present hazards if they are improperly handled, stored, transported, or disposed of.

Terms such as HAZCOM, HAZMAT, hazardous waste, and HAZWOPER are sometimes used interchangeably, but they have different meanings. Understanding the difference helps employees recognize which requirements and safety procedures apply to their work.

What Is a Hazardous Material?

A hazardous material is generally a substance or material capable of presenting an unreasonable risk to health, safety, property, or the environment because of its chemical or physical properties.

Hazards may include:

• Flammability or combustibility.
• Toxicity.
• Corrosivity.
• Reactivity or instability.
• Explosive properties.
• Compressed gases.
• Acute or chronic health effects.
• Environmental hazards.

Some hazardous substances can be detected by sight or odor, while others cannot. Never rely on your senses to determine whether a chemical exposure is safe.

HAZCOM – Hazard Communication

HAZCOM refers to OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200). Its purpose is to ensure that employees receive information about hazardous chemicals present in their workplace.

A workplace Hazard Communication Program generally includes:

• A written Hazard Communication Program.
• A list or inventory of hazardous chemicals.
• Proper container labels and other required warnings.
• Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
• Employee information and training.

Employees must be trained to recognize chemical hazards and understand the protective measures required before working with hazardous chemicals.

HAZMAT – Hazardous Materials

HAZMAT is a broad term commonly used to describe hazardous materials. Depending on the context, it may involve the use, handling, storage, transportation, spill response, or management of hazardous substances.

Different regulatory agencies may have jurisdiction depending on the activity. For example, OSHA primarily addresses worker safety and health, EPA regulates numerous environmental aspects of hazardous substances and wastes, and the U.S. Department of Transportation regulates hazardous materials transportation.

Employees shall follow the requirements applicable to the particular material and activity being performed.

Hazardous Waste

A hazardous material does not automatically become hazardous waste simply because it is no longer wanted.

Under environmental regulations, a waste must be evaluated to determine whether it meets the applicable definition of hazardous waste. Hazardous wastes may include certain specifically listed wastes or wastes exhibiting characteristics such as:

• Ignitability.
• Corrosivity.
• Reactivity.
• Toxicity.

Examples may include certain spent solvents, discarded chemicals, contaminated process wastes, paints, and other materials.

Hazardous waste must be properly identified, accumulated, labeled, stored, transported, and disposed of according to applicable requirements. Employees shall not dispose of chemicals in ordinary trash, drains, sewers, or on the ground unless specifically permitted by company procedures and applicable regulations.

HAZWOPER – Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response

HAZWOPER refers to OSHA’s Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard, 29 CFR 1910.120.

HAZWOPER applies to certain hazardous waste operations and emergency-response activities. It does not mean that every employee who works with a hazardous chemical requires HAZWOPER training.

Depending on the work performed, HAZWOPER may apply to activities such as:

• Certain hazardous waste site operations.
• Operations at certain hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities.
• Emergency response to uncontrolled releases of hazardous substances.

Employees shall not perform hazardous-material emergency-response activities beyond their assigned duties and level of training.

Safety Data Sheets

Safety Data Sheets provide important information about hazardous chemicals. Employees must know how to access the SDS for the chemicals used in their workplace.

An SDS provides information concerning:

• Chemical identification and hazards.
• Composition and ingredients.
• First-aid measures.
• Firefighting measures.
• Accidental-release measures.
• Handling and storage.
• Exposure controls and PPE.
• Physical and chemical properties.
• Stability and reactivity.
• Toxicological information.

Employees should review the SDS and product label before using an unfamiliar hazardous chemical.

Labels and Containers

Hazardous chemical containers must be properly identified and labeled as required. Employees shall:

• Never remove or deface required labels.
• Never use an unlabeled chemical unless its identity and hazards have been established.
• Keep chemicals in compatible containers.
• Properly label workplace or secondary containers as required.
• Never place hazardous chemicals in food or beverage containers.
• Report damaged, leaking, or unidentified containers immediately.

Hazardous materials offered for transportation may also require specific DOT markings, labels, placards, shipping papers, and packaging based on their transportation classification.

Spills and Emergency Response

Employees who discover a chemical spill or release shall:

• Warn others and keep unauthorized personnel away.
• Notify their supervisor or designated emergency contact.
• Eliminate ignition sources when this can be done safely.
• Follow the site’s emergency and spill-response procedures.
• Do not enter a contaminated area or attempt cleanup unless trained, authorized, and properly equipped.

Some chemical releases may produce invisible or odorless hazardous atmospheres, and exposure effects may not appear immediately.

Remember the Difference

HAZCOM tells employees about chemical hazards in the workplace.
HAZMAT is a broad term for hazardous materials and activities involving them.
Hazardous Waste involves discarded materials that meet applicable regulatory criteria.
HAZWOPER establishes requirements for certain hazardous waste operations and emergency response activities.

Regardless of the terminology, employees should know the material, understand its hazards, review the SDS, use required PPE, and follow established handling and emergency procedures.