School Infection Control Handbook - 2010

Chapter 3: Development of Protocols

Chapter 3.E. Labeling Secondary Containers

Introduction Secondary or portable containers are those into which chemical products are transferred from the original container or dispensing station for use throughout the building. Typically, custodial staff members fill spray bottles of each product from a dispensing station and put them on their cleaning cart. Some vendors provide labels for spray bottles with all of the required product information. When labels are not supplied, these spray bottles are often haphazardly labeled with marker or tape, or not labeled at all. They can often be found inadequately labeled on the cleaning cart or in rooms throughout the building if they were left behind by the custodian or were distributed to teachers. This practice becomes an “accident waiting to happen.” In the case of exposure, there is no health and safety information and the chemical is essentially an “unknown.” Requirements The Massachusetts Right to Know Law and the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard require that secondary containers be labeled with the name of the product and the appropriate hazard warning as specified below. Copies of the product’s label, or spray bottles that have the manufacturer’s or distributor’s information printed on them may be obtained. Š Required label information for secondary containers: ƒ The brand name of the hazardous chemical (if the container is original) or the name as listed on the material safety data sheet (MSDS; if the container is secondary). ƒ Hazard warnings, listing health hazards such as effects on target organs and systems (heart, liver, kidneys, nervous system, etc.) and physical hazards such as whether the chemical is flammable, corrosive, or reactive. Š Optional label information for secondary containers: ƒ The name, date, and initials of who diluted the solution to track its expiration date. Expiration dates can be found on the manufacturer’s label. ƒ Hazardous Materials Identification System labels. These labels provide a good “at-a- glance” warning to alert workers of the degree of hazard, particularly for those who do not speak English.

Old Version

Revised Version – 2001

Health Flammability Reactivity PPE

Health Flammability Physical Hazard PPE (personal protective equipment)

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