The purpose of the New Jersey Right-To-Know Act (NJRTK) is to provide workers with a mechanism to access information about chemicals used in the workplace. The information is provided through chemical inventories, labels, site-specific training, Material Safety Data Sheets and Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets.

Chemical Inventories
A central file of the University's chemical inventory must be submitted to the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services every 5 years. A survey update is required annually for the intermediate years. Research and Development facilities may apply for exemption under the Act by contacting REHS. REHS provides MSDS/HSFS management, NJRTK training and chemical inventory data management.

The Survey forms for the 2007 (Due in 2008) reporting year can be found at the following links.

Container labels must list the chemical name and CAS number of the five most predominant chemical ingredients in the container whether they are hazardous or non-hazardous. This is commonly referred to as "universal labeling." The Right to Know Hazardous Substance List provides a list of synonyms of chemical names which may also be used on the label. For chemicals not listed on the Right to Know Hazardous Substance List, any chemical name recognized by the Chemical Abstracts Service may be used.

If the content of the container is not known or if only some of the contents are known, the container must bear a label stating either "Contents Unknown" or "Contents Partially Unknown" and a good faith effort must be made to find out the ingredients. In the latter case, whatever chemicals are known must be listed on the label. A good faith effort must involve at least two contacts by letter and/or documented phone calls to the product's manufacturer or supplier. If an employer finds out any additional ingredients of a product, the employer has up to 5 working days to add these ingredients to the existing label on the container.

The label must be a sign, emblem, sticker or marker of a durable nature affixed to or stenciled onto a container. The printing on these labels must be easy to read, not obscured, and prominently displayed on the container. (N.J.A.C. 8:59-5.8) Labels must be affixed to new direct use containers before containers are opened or within five working days of the container's arrival at the facility, whichever is sooner. A "direct use" container is the container that directly holds the product, such as a can of paint or a 55 gallon drum.

Labeling Exemptions

Rutgers University offers both departmental and general RTK training sessions. Access the general training session schedule.

Department-specific training can be arranged by contacting Jennifer Mancini at 732/445-2550.

Right-To-Know Central File
The current Right-To-Know (RTK) survey for Rutgers University is available on line and at the REHS Office.

	2006 Update Year RTK Survey Report [pdf]
	2005 Update Year RTK Survey Report [pdf]
	2004 Update Year RTK Survey Report [pdf]
	2003 Full Year RTK Survey Report [pdf] [pdf] (NOTE: This file is 8.4MB)

REHS Office Information:

REHS Offices
27 Road 1 Building 4086, Livingston Campus
Piscataway, NJ 08854
(732) 445-2550

The REHS offices are open from 7:30am till 5pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets (HSFS) and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
HSFS and MSDS are available at the REHS office. Please contact REHS for more information.

HSFS are also available on line through the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDOHSS) website.

MSDS are also available on line. Click here to go to the REHS MSDS link.

References

Contacts