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OSHA RTK labels - Right To Know
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Right-To-Know How To

effective rtk labels

Right-to-know labeling


 What are RTK labels?
effective rtk labels Making effective RTK labels
  MSDS and RTK labels
  Classifying Health Hazards
  Interpreting the NFPA coding system
  Do RTK labels need to list target organs ?

 

 effective rtk labels

Making Effective
Right-To-Know Labels

There are many types of Right To Know label designs used to inform employees of chemical hazards. The most popular RTK labels use some type of number rating and color coding system in conjunction with written text to identify the chemical and its physical and health hazards.

The National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Standard System for the Identification of the Fire Hazards of Materials is an example of a number and color coding system. The NFPA Diamond uses color codes to identify Health risks (in blue), Flammability (in red), Instability (in yellow), and Special Hazards (in white). Numbers are used to rate the severity of the hazard on a scale of 0 to 4. 4 represents the most severe. 0 represents minimal or no danger.

NFPA Diamond / commonly used on RTK labels.
          The NFPA Diamond

The NFPA Diamond by itself does not meet the OSHA HazCom Standard. Whether or not a number and color coding system is used, all Right-To-Know labels must contain at least the following information*:

  • Identity of the hazardous chemical(s).
  • Appropriate hazard warnings.
  • Target organ warning.
  • Name and address of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party.

The most effective RTK labels employ a number and color coding system and have the following information written out on the label:

  • An index of the number and color coding system.
  • Chemical name.
  • CAS number.
  • Signal word (Danger, Caution, Poison, etc.)
  • Health hazard.
  • Fire hazard.
  • Organs effected by the chemical.
  • First aid.
  • Emergency numbers.
  • Pictograms illustrating protective equipment and dangers.
  • Reference to Material Safety Data Sheet for further information.

Thus, an effective RTK label might look something like this:

Right-to-know labels should have enough detail to truly be helpful to employees.

*{OHS 1910.1200(f)(1); OSHA Standards Interpretation 1910.1200 02/09/94}

Related links

Software to customize and streamline RTK labels.
NFPA 704
Free NFPA Ratings Explanation Guide

For more information
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This guide is intended for general information purposes only. This guide is not a substitute for review of applicable government regulations and standards.
   
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