School Infection Control Handbook - 2010

Chapter 4: Selection of Products, Dispensing Equipment, and Application Systems

Chapter 4.D. Interpreting Information from Hazardous Materials Rating Systems for Product Selection Introduction The following chart provides a comparison of the two hazardous materials rating systems that were developed to provide an awareness of a product’s hazards—the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) system and the Hazardous Materials Information System (HMIS). The information found on product labels and on material safety data sheets (MSDSs) can be used to interpret product hazards at a glance and to compare product options to find the least-toxic one, as illustrated in the next section, Chapter 4.E . For an explanation of each rating, see Appendix B.3. Interpreting Information from Hazardous Materials Rating Systems . What the NFPA and HMIS rating systems are and how they are used Both systems display similar color and numerical coding information in the blue, red, and yellow sections, but different information is listed in the white sections. In newer versions of the HMIS, the yellow color (Reactivity) has been replaced by orange (Physical Hazard). NFPA HMIS

Health Flammability Reactivity (old) Physical Hazard (new) Personal Protective Equipment

Flammability

Reactivity

Health

Symbol

Special Hazard Oxidizer OX Acid ACID Alkali ALK Corrosive COR Use no water W

Provides information on the severity of product hazards to fire fighters and emergency responders. 1) On placards used on large containers, doors, and walls to alert people as to hazards inside.

Provides information on health, PPE, and product hazards to workers and medical responders. 1) On labels used on secondary containers where there is no manufacturer label.

Primary Focus of Symbol

How It Is Used

2) As a rating system on MSDSs.

2) As a rating system on MSDSs.

Use of Blue Use of Red

Health

Health

Flammability

Flammability

Use of Yellow

Reactivity (old - yellow color)

(old system)

Reactivity (still yellow for NFPA)

Use of Orange

Physical Hazard (new - orange color)

(new system)

Other Hazard – oxidizer, acid, alkaline, corrosive, water reactive

Personal Protective Equipment – gloves, safety glasses, goggles, mask, footwear, apron

Use of White

71