Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 50. HEALTH AND SAFETY

CHAPTER 78. EMPLOYEE AND COMMUNITY HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL INFORMATION ACT

Part 1. General

Definitions

50-78-102. Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Chemical manufacturer" means an employer in codes 31 through 33, as defined in the North American Industry Classification System Manual, with a workplace where chemicals are produced for use or distribution.

(2) "Chemical name" means the scientific designation of a chemical in accordance with the nomenclature system developed by the international union of pure and applied chemistry or the chemical abstracts service rules of nomenclature or a name that will clearly identify the chemical for the purpose of conducting a hazard evaluation.

(3) "Common name" means any designation or identification, such as code name, code number, trade name, brand name, or generic name, used to identify a chemical other than by its chemical name.

(4) "Department" means the department of environmental quality provided for in Title 2, chapter 15, part 35.

(5) "Designated representative" means:

(a) the individual or organization to whom an employee gives written authorization to exercise the employee's rights under this chapter; or

(b) a recognized or certified collective bargaining agent who is automatically a designated representative without regard to written employee authorization.

(6) "Distributor" means a business, other than a chemical manufacturer, that supplies hazardous chemicals to other distributors or to employers.

(7) "Employee" means a person who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals in the workplace under normal operating conditions or possible emergencies.

(8) "Employer" means a person, firm, corporation, partnership, association, governmental agency, or other entity that is engaged in business or providing services and that employs workers.

(9) "Exposure" means ingestion, inhalation, absorption, or other contact in the workplace with a hazardous chemical and includes potential, accidental, or possible exposure.

(10) "Hazardous chemical" means, except as provided in 50-78-103:

(a) any element, chemical compound, or mixture of elements or compounds that is a physical hazard or health hazard, as defined by subsection (c) of the OSHA standard, and that has been identified as such by the federal occupational safety and health administration or the manufacturer and has been filed with the federal occupational safety and health administration;

(b) any hazardous chemical, as defined by subsection (d)(3) of the OSHA standard; or

(c) any emitter of ionizing radiation.

(11) "Label" means any written, printed, or graphic material displayed on or affixed to containers of hazardous chemicals.

(12) "Local fire chief" means the chief of a governmental fire agency organized under Title 7, chapter 33, or the chief's designee.

(13) "Manufacturing employer" means an employer with a workplace classified in codes 31 through 33 of the North American Industry Classification System who manufactures, uses, or stores a hazardous chemical.

(14) "Material safety data sheet" means a document prepared in accordance with the requirements of the OSHA standard and containing chemical hazard and safe handling information.

(15) "Nonmanufacturing employer" means an employer with a workplace classified in a North American Industry Classification System code other than 31 through 33.

(16) "OSHA standard" means the hazard communication standard issued by the federal occupational safety and health administration, codified under 29 CFR 1910.1200.

(17) "Trade secret" means a confidential formula, pattern, process, device, or information, including chemical name or other unique chemical identifier, that is used in an employer's business and that gives the employer an opportunity to obtain an advantage over competitors.

(18) "Work area" means a room or defined space in a workplace where hazardous chemicals are produced, used, or stored and where employees are present.

(19) "Workplace" means an establishment at one geographical location containing one or more work areas.

(20) "Workplace chemical list" means the list of hazardous chemicals developed under subsection (e)(1)(i) of the OSHA standard or under this chapter.

History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 641, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 145, Ch. 418, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 332, Ch. 546, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 80, Ch. 51, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 36, Ch. 449, L. 2007.