Definitions

Definition - What does Designated Substance mean?

A designated substance, within the context of workplace safety, refers to any substance that is identified as a hazardous material per Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA) guidelines. This method is designed to alert employers and employees to specific biological, chemical, and physical agents with toxic properties that impose a serious risk to individual health. According to the joint health and safety committee (JHSC), there are set conditions that predispose workers to toxic substances, which prompts employers to assess the substance in question by implementing control measures that cover all fundamental information of its use, including application of identifying hazmat labels that clearly demonstrate it is a designated substance.

SureHire explains Designated Substance

A designated substance, within the context of workplace safety, is a common type of chemical agent, such as asbestos, arsenic, benzene, lead, mercury, or silica, which is appropriately labelled as a hazardous material under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA). Designated substances serve as a precaution for employers and employees whose work environment can involve regular handling and usage of dangerous chemicals that demand limited access to their availability. Combined with restrained control measures, this identification is designed to foster a safe and healthy workplace. Employers are largely responsible for instituting preventative action by recognizing toxic agents posing a health threat followed with an effective strategy covering proper control, handling, storage, and disposal methods for employees to exercise on a consistent basis.