Create a basic safety plan:

Identify possible hazards in your workplace

Survey your workplace for hazards

• Use the "Job Hazard Analysis" Checklist to survey your workplace to see what hazards may exist.
• Have your employees review their own work areas. They are often aware of hazards that aren't obvious to anyone else.
• Have employees review each others' work areas. A "fresh look" can see things that the operator may take for granted.

Use the information to make your workplace safer.

Read the Core Rules (and others you got in the previous section) as you survey to ensure that your workplace complies with the rules

Get material safety data sheets for all hazardous chemical products used at your worksite.

Often the simplest action is to ask for MSDS for all products used in the workplace when you order them.

• Look for warnings on the label.
  • See a sample letter requesting MSDS. 
  • See if you need to have a Chemical Hazard Communication Program.
  • Read the Employer Chemical Hazard Communication rule.
  • See an example of a “HazCom” program that you can modify for your own company.
• Go on line to the manufacturer's Web site.
• Call the telephone number listed on the label.
• Send a sample letter requesting MSDS.
• Go on line to one of the Web sites offering MSDS searches.

Have a DOSH consultant review your written program.