Right to Know Publications

• General Information (Fact Sheets, Hazardous Substance List, Video List, etc.)
• Compliance (Private employers, public employers, Survey, labeling, etc.)

The RTK publications described below can be requested using our online order form. They can also be obtained by writing to the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services, Right to Know Program, PO Box 368, Trenton, New Jersey, 08625-0368; by e-mail; or by calling (609) 984-2202. Most of these documents are available online.

General Information

• Description of a Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet
  Describes the different sections of a Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet. Beginning September 2007, the Right to Know Program has adopted a new format for Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets. Fact Sheets in the old format will be converted over time as they are revised. Detailed descriptions are as follows:
  
  
  • Old format: English version; Spanish version
  • New format: English version; Spanish version
  
  
  
•  Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets
  Prepared for more than 1,600 individual hazardous chemicals; contains acute and chronic health hazards, identification, workplace exposure limits, medical tests, workplace controls and practices, personal protective equipment, handling and storage, questions and answers, definitions, and emergency response information for fires, spills and first aid. More than 800 have been translated into Spanish. Distributed free to all public facilities which report hazardous substances, and to the public.
  
  
•  List of Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets Available in Printed Form, on CD-ROM, and through Online Services (pdf 155k)
  Lists the chemical names of all the Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets published by the Right to Know Program, including the agencies and organizations through which one can access the fact sheets by electronic means. The Spanish Fact Sheets are incorporated into the list.
  
  
•  You Have the Right to Know
  A brochure which provides an overview of the Right to Know law meant to be given to public employees at work sites which report hazardous substances and at Hazard Communication training sessions. Sent to public employers in bulk. Available in English and Spanish.
  
  
  • English version: (pdf 84k)
  • Spanish version: (pdf 66k)
  
  
• Right to Know Public Service Announcements
  The Departments of Health and Senior Services and Environmental Protection have prepared a bilingual (English and Spanish) Public Service Announcement in both video and audio formats for television and radio stations encouraging the public and emergency responders to obtain and use the Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets and Right to Know Surveys to find out about workplace and environmental hazards to which they may be exposed.

  The audio files are available online in WAV format:
  
  

  • Workplace Hazards English (161k) Spanish (164k)
  • Environmental Hazards English (157k) Spanish (163k)
  
  
• Right to Know Hazardous Substance List
  Under the Worker and Community RTK Act, the RTK Program is required to develop the Right to Know Hazardous Substance List (RTKHSL). The revised RTKHSL (2007) contains 2,455 hazardous substances, including those which are on the Special Health Hazard Substance List (SHHSL). The SHHSL consists of 1,407 substances which are considered to be special health hazards and are defined as carcinogens, mutagens, teratogens, corrosives, flammables, and reactive materials.
  
  
• Right to Know Video Lending Library List (pdf 127k)
  Contains a list and description of the videos on occupational health and safety and the Right to Know and PEOSHA laws which New Jersey public employers can borrow for Right to Know training programs.

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Compliance

New Jersey Worker and Community Right to Know Act/Regulations

PRIVATE EMPLOYERS

Private Employers - Major Provisions of Right to Know Labeling - (pdf 30k)
This fact sheet explains private employers how to comply with the labeling requirements of the Right to Know law.

PUBLIC EMPLOYERS

Public employers have the responsibility to assist workers in learning about the hazards of the products they work with. The employer must:

• Complete the Right to Know Survey
• Label Containers
• Create and Maintain a Right to Know Central File
• Post the Right to Know Poster.

Right to Know Survey

Labeling

Public Employers - Major Provisions of Right to Know Labeling - (pdf 243k)
This fact sheet explains public employers how to comply with the labeling requirements of the Right to Know law.

Right to Know Central File

Each New Jersey public employer must establish and maintain a Right to Know (RTK) Central File. The following documents constitute a RTK Central File and should be available to all employees:

1. Most recent complete Right to Know Survey and Updates
2. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all chemical products at the facility
3. Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets for all individual chemicals reported on the Right to Know Survey and Updates
4. Right to Know Hazardous Substance List

Right to Know Poster

The Poster describes the rights of a public employee under the Right to Know law and tells them who to contact for more information about the law and hazardous materials at their workplace. Available in English, Spanish, and Polish. Call the Right to Know Infoline at (609) 984-2202 for copies of this poster.

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More Publications

• Occupational Health Surveillance Program Publications
• Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health Program Publications