Chapter 2 Safety 31 2.14 Handling Hazardous Materials Many of the materials used in building con- struction can pose a hazard. Some damage your body when inhaled, some enter your body through contact with your skin, and some are flammable or explosive. There are too many such hazardous materials to memorize them all. To know if a material is hazardous, always read the manufacturer’s label. OSHA’s Hazard Communication (HazCom) Standard requires employers to notify employees about hazardous materials and provide informa- tion. Anyone who will be working with a poten- tially hazardous material must have access to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for that material. The SDS (formerly known as Material Safety Data Sheet, or MSDS) describes the hazard that may exist, how to avoid it, and what to do in case of exposure to it. The recommended topics and their order on an SDS are intended to put the informa- tion workers are most likely to need first. The fol- lowing 16 sections are the topics on an SDS: • Identification • Hazard(s) identification • Composition/information on ingredients • First-aid measures • Fire-fighting measures • Accidental release measures • Handling and storage • Exposure controls/personal protection • Physical and chemical properties • Stability and reactivity • Toxicological information • Ecological information • Disposal considerations • Transport information • Regulatory information • Other information Pressure-treated lumber, especially wood treated with chromated copper arsenic (CCA) preservative, requires special care in handling for safety of the construction worker. Although wood treated with CCA has been phased out in favor of less dangerous preservatives, you may still encounter this type of lumber. When it is used, precautions are necessary to protect your health. Always be sure to read and follow the manufac- turer’s safety instructions. Avoid prolonged inha- lation of sawdust particles. Sawing should be done outdoors while wearing a particulate mask (some- times called a dust mask). Wear safety goggles when power sawing or machining. To minimize skin contact, wear gloves when handling any pres- sure-treated materials. After cutting or handling pressure-treated lumber, wash any skin that was exposed. Wash clothing exposed to sawdust sepa- rate from other clothes. Homeowners should never burn CCA-treated wood or use it as compost or mulch. CCA-treated wood can be disposed of with regular municipal trash (i.e., municipal solid waste, not yard waste). Homeowners should contact the appropriate state and local agencies for further guidance on the dis- posal of CCA-treated wood. Never burn scraps of treated wood. Burning the wood releases hazard- ous chemicals into the air. The ash that remains after burning poses a health hazard. Use great care when spraying paints, stains, or similar materials. Use an approved respirator and protect exposed skin by covering it with clothing. Many paints contain harmful chemicals which can cause health problems if inhaled or absorbed through the skin. See Chapter 23, Painting, Finishing, and Decorating, for more information before doing any painting. 2.15 Lifting and Carrying Improper lifting and carrying of heavy objects may cause injuries. When lifting, stand close to the load, bend your knees, and grasp the object firmly. Then, lift by straightening your legs and keeping your body as close to vertical as possible. To lower the object, reverse the procedure. When carrying a heavy load, do not turn or twist your body, but make adjustments in position by shifting your feet. If the load is heavy or bulky, have others help. Never underestimate the weight to be moved or overestimate your own ability. Always seek assistance before attempting to carry long pieces of lumber. Pro Tip Stretching exercises are a precaution against muscle strain. Many company safety programs include stretch training. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.