1.3 OSHA Standards, SDS, and Chemical Safety

1.3 OSHA Standards, SDS, and Chemical Safety

Salons are filled with active chemical products, including hair color, developers, perm solutions, relaxers, acrylic nail monomers, and chemical peels. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets national standards to protect employees from hazards associated with these chemical substances.

The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was created by the U.S. Congress in 1970 as part of the Department of Labor. Its primary mandate is to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for employees.

• Hazard Communication Standard (HCS): This standard requires chemical manufacturers and importers to assess the hazards of their products. It also requires employers to communicate these hazards to their employees.
• The "Right to Know" vs. "Right to Understand": Originally, the HCS focused on an employee's "Right to Know" about chemicals. In 2012, OSHA aligned the HCS with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). This changed the standard to the "Right to Understand," requiring standardized labeling and detailed safety sheets.

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Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

The cornerstone of chemical safety is the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), formerly known as the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). Manufacturers must provide an SDS for every professional product sold.

Structure of an SDS

An SDS is a standardized, 16-section document. The sections are organized in a specific order to help workers find critical information quickly:

1. Identification: Product name, manufacturer contact info, and recommended uses.
2. Hazard(s) Identification: All hazards regarding the chemical (e.g., flammable, eye irritant) and required label elements (signal words like "Danger" or "Warning").
3. Composition/Information on Ingredients: Identifies active ingredients and chemical identities.
4. First-Aid Measures: Important symptoms and required treatment (e.g., what to do if splashed in eyes).
5. Fire-Fighting Measures: Suitable extinguishing techniques and equipment.
6. Accidental Release Measures: Clean-up procedures, protective equipment, and emergency procedures for spills.
7. Handling and Storage: Precautions for safe handling and storage, including incompatibilities (e.g., keep away from heat).
8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection: Exposure limits and recommended PPE (gloves, masks).
9. Physical and Chemical Properties: Appearance, odor, pH, boiling point, flash point.
10. Stability and Reactivity: Chemical stability and possibility of hazardous reactions.
11. Toxicological Information: Routes of exposure, related symptoms, acute and chronic health effects.
12. Ecological Information: Environmental impact.
13. Disposal Considerations: Safe disposal instructions.
14. Transport Information: Shipping requirements.
15. Regulatory Information: Safety, health, and environmental regulations specific to the product.
16. Other Information: Date of preparation or last revision.

Availability in the Salon

Florida salons must keep a binder of all SDSs for every product used on-site. This binder must be readily accessible to all employees during their working hours. In the event of an inspection or a medical emergency, the SDS must be produced instantly to guide treatment.

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Chemical Storage and Labeling

Improper storage of chemicals can lead to fires, toxic gas releases, and degradation of product efficacy.

Labeling Requirements

• Original Containers: All products must remain in their original containers with the manufacturer's label intact.
• Secondary Containers: If a chemical is transferred to a secondary container (such as mixing hair color or diluting a disinfectant in a spray bottle), the secondary container must be labeled with the product name and its hazards. Hand-written labels are acceptable, but they must be legible and durable.

Storage Guidelines

• Separate Incompatible Chemicals: Oxidizers (like hydrogen peroxide developers) must be stored away from flammables (like acetone or alcohol).
• Temperature Control: Store chemicals in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Height Limitations: Store heavy containers or hazardous chemicals on lower shelves to prevent accidental drops and spills. Never store chemicals above eye level.
• Closed Containers: Keep all chemical bottles tightly closed when not in use to prevent evaporation and air contamination.

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Ventilation and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Ventilation

Chemical fumes and dusts from hair color, nail acrylics, and keratin treatments can build up in salon air.

• General Ventilation: Salons must have functioning heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
• Local Exhaust Ventilation: For high-exposure areas (such as nail tables or chemical mixing stations), localized exhaust systems or source-capture ventilation units are highly recommended to draw fumes directly away from the breathing zone of the client and cosmetologist.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE protects the cosmetologist from direct contact with chemicals.

• Gloves: Wear disposable nitrile gloves when mixing hair color, chemical texturizers, or handling disinfectants. Latex is less recommended due to potential allergies.
• Eye Protection: Wear safety glasses when pouring concentrates or mixing solutions.
• Aprons/Smocks: Protect clothing from chemical splashes.
• Masks: N95 or dust masks should be worn when mixing dry powders (like lightener) or when performing services that generate fine dust.

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Emergency Eye Flush Procedures

If a chemical splashes into a worker's or client's eyes, immediate action is required to prevent permanent damage or blindness.

Step-by-Step Eye Flush

1. Go to the Eyewash Station: Immediately lead the affected person to the eyewash station or a clean sink.
2. Activate the Water: Turn on the eyewash station. The water should be lukewarm (tepid) to avoid thermal shock.
3. Hold Eyes Open: Hold the eyelids open with the fingers.
4. Flush for 15-20 Minutes: Flush the eyes continuously for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Ensure the water flows from the inner corner of the eye to the outer corner (toward the ear) to prevent washing the chemical into the unaffected eye.
5. Remove Contact Lenses: If the person wears contact lenses, flush for 5 minutes, gently remove the lenses, and continue flushing for the remaining time.
6. Seek Medical Attention: Retrieve the product container or the SDS and seek immediate medical evaluation.

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GHS Pictograms and Signal Words

Under the GHS system integrated into OSHA standards, chemical labels must include:

• Signal Words: Either "Danger" (used for more severe hazards) or "Warning" (used for less severe hazards).
• Hazard Pictograms: Graphic symbols used to communicate specific hazard information. For example, a flame pictogram represents flammable liquids, while a skull and crossbones represents acute toxicity. Cosmetologists should be familiar with these symbols to identify hazardous materials instantly.
• Precautionary Statements: Phrases that describe recommended measures to minimize or prevent adverse effects, such as "Keep container tightly closed" or "Wear eye protection."