January  2015  

Prepared  &  Edited  by  Sue  Zampella;    Occupational  Safety  Consultants        WWW.WORKRISKFREE.COM  

   

IS YOUR HAZARD COMMUNICATION PLAN READY

FOR JUNE 1, 2016? On March 26, 2012, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued the Hazard Communication/ HazCom 2012 Final Rule. Under this final rule, The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is now aligned with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). This update to the Hazard Communication Standard provides a common and coherent approach to classifying chemicals and communicating hazard information on labels and safety data sheets. OSHA believes this change will help reduce trade barriers and result in productivity improvements for American businesses that regularly handle, store, and use hazardous chemicals while providing cost savings for American businesses that periodically update safety data sheets and labels for chemicals covered under the hazard communication standard. OSHA estimates that the revised HCS will result in the prevention of 43 fatalities and 585 injuries and illnesses annually. The monetized value of this reduction in occupational risks is an estimated $250 million a year on an annualized basis. In order to ensure chemical safety in the workplace, information about the identities and hazards of the chemicals must be available and understandable to workers. OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires the development and dissemination of such information: • Chemical manufacturers and importers are

required to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import, and prepare labels and safety data sheets to convey the hazard information to their downstream customers;

• All employers with hazardous chemicals in their workplaces must have labels and safety data sheets for their exposed workers, and train them to handle the chemicals appropriately.

Major changes to the Hazard Communication Standard Under the Final Rule include: • Hazard classification: Provides specific

criteria for classification of health and physical hazards, as well as classification of mixtures.

• Labels: Chemical manufacturers and

importers will be required to provide a label that includes a harmonized signal word, pictogram, and hazard statement for each hazard class and category. Precautionary statements must also be provided.

• Safety Data Sheets: Will now have a

specified 16-section format.

Since March of 2012, there has been a phase-in period to help chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors and employers stay in compliance and adjust to the change to the hazard communication standard since adopting GHS. The final deadline for this phase-in period is June 1, 2016. By June 1, all employers need to update alternative workplace labeling and hazard communication program as necessary, and provide additional employee training for newly identified physical or health hazards. Your written HazCom program must include information on container labeling, collection and availability of safety data sheets, and the employee-training program. It also must contain a list of the hazardous chemicals (chemical inventory), the means the employer will use to inform employees of the hazards of non-routine tasks and the hazards associated with chemicals in unlabeled pipes.

         BIE  SAFETY  ADVISOR  May  2016  

 

 

 

January  2015  

Prepared  &  Edited  by  Sue  Zampella;    Occupational  Safety  Consultants        WWW.WORKRISKFREE.COM  

GHS Labeling Elements

The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard has been revised to align with the international “Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals”, commonly referred to as “GHS”. As a result, manufacturers and distributors of hazards chemicals and products must begin standardizing their container labels to display all of the following information.

The Six GHS Label Elements: • Product Identifier, which may be the product name or an identifying number that can be cross-referenced to the corresponding Safety Data Sheet (SDS),as well as to the list of hazardous chemicals that are maintained as part of our written HazCom program • Signal Word, which are used to indicate the relative level of severity of hazard. The only two signal words used are "Danger" and "Warning". "Danger" is used for more severe hazards, while "Warning" is used for the less severe hazards • Hazard Statement(s), which are a relatively short statement assigned to a specific hazard class and category that describes the nature of the hazard(s) of a chemical, including, where appropriate, the degree of hazard. Examples of hazard statements include “Highly flammable liquid and vapor”, or “May cause liver damage.” • Precautionary Statement(s), which are phrases that list recommended measures that should be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to a hazardous chemical or improper storage or handling. • Pictogram(s), which are icons that appear in a small red box. There are nine different pictograms, and one or more might appear on a label; each one helps you quickly identify the specific type of hazard associated with the product. • Supplier Identification, Name, Address, and Telephone Number of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party.

Sample Pictograms and Associated Hazard(s)

 The 9 pictograms are broken down in the three hazard categories: Physical Hazards, Health Hazards and Environmental Hazards. Pictograms that fall under the Physical Hazard Category include: Flame, Gas Cylinder, Corrosion, Exploding Bomb and Flame Over Circle. Health Hazard Pictograms are: Health Hazard, Exclamation Mark, Corrosion and Skull and Crossbones. Environmental pictograms, though part of GHS but not enforced by OSHA, include Environment and Exclamation Mark.

Monthly  Toolbox  Talk   BIE  Safety  Advisor