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GLOBALLY HARMONIZED SYSTEM OF

CLASSIFICATION AND LABELING OF CHEMICALS

(GHS)

David Wallace, CIHUtah ASSE

January 14, 2010

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Outline

• GHS overview• OSHA’s GHS activity• Proposed changes to the Hazard

Communication Standard• Effect on Safety professionals

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Introduction

• In 1985, one of my jobs as a “young” Safety Professional was helping my employer comply with OSHA’s new Hazard Communication standard, 1910.1200.

• Now, it looks like we will need to do it again!

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GHS Overview

• “Globally Harmonized System Of Classification And Labeling Of Chemicals”

• United Nations guidance for a uniform (harmonized) hazard communication system

• Based on ”major” existing systems– USA and Canadian systems for the workplace,

workplace, consumers and pesticides – European Union directives for classification and

labeling of substances and preparations– United Nations Recommendations on the

Transport of Dangerous Goods.

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GHS Overview

• Elements– Harmonized criteria for

classifying substances and mixtures according to their health, environmental and physical hazards

– Harmonized hazard communication elements, including requirements for labeling and safety data sheets.

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GHS Overview

• Justification– Label requirements differ, requiring

multiple labels for the same product– Hazard definitions are not consistent

• Toxicity, Flammability

– Globally over 100 diverse hazard communication regulations for their products globally• Regulatory compliance is complex and

costly• Barrier to international trade in chemicals

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Flammability example

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GHS Overview

• Key Guiding Principles of the Harmonization Process– Protection will not be reduced– Will be based on intrinsic properties (hazards)

of chemicals– All types of chemicals will be covered– All systems will have to be changed– Involvement of all stakeholders should be

ensured– Comprehensibility must be addressed

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GHS Hazard Classification

• Defined criteria are used to assign a hazard classification – Physical Hazards

• 16 categories

– Health Hazards• 10 categories

– Environmental Hazards

• Mixtures – GHS classification guidance for when

chemicals are mixed

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GHS Hazard Classification

• Physical Hazards– Explosives– Flammable Gases– Flammable Aerosols– Oxidizing Gases– Gases Under Pressure– Flammable Liquids– Flammable Solids– Self-Reactive

Substances

– Pyrophoric Liquids– Pyrophoric Solids– Self-Heating Substances– Substances which, in

contact with water, emit flammable gases

– Oxidizing Liquids– Oxidizing Solids– Organic Peroxides– Corrosive to Metals

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GHS Hazard Classification

• Health Hazards– Acute Toxicity– Skin

Corrosion/Irritation– Serous Eye

Damage/Eye Irritation– Respiratory or Skin

Sensitization– Germ Cell

Mutagenicity– Carcinogenicity

– Reproductive Toxicology

– Target Organ Systemic Toxicity – Single Exposure

– Target Organ Systemic Toxicity – Repeated Exposure

– Aspiration Toxicity

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GHS Hazard Classification

• Hazardous to the Aquatic Environment– Acute aquatic toxicity– Chronic aquatic toxicity

• Bioaccumulation potential• Rapid degradability

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GHS Hazard Communication

• Labels– Symbols (hazard pictograms)

• Examples:

– Signal Words• “Danger” or “Warning”

– Hazard Statements• Example: “Toxic if swallowed”

– Other• Precautions, identification, supplier,

supplemental

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GHS label example

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GHS Hazard Communication

• GHS Safety Data Sheet (SDS)– 16 headings– Similar to ISO, EU, and ANSI

MSDS/SDS requirements

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OSHA MSDS Format (old)

• OSHA-174 (1989), 8 sections (non-mandatory)

1. Manufacturer information2. Hazard Ingredients/Identity Information 3. Physical/chemical properties4. Fire and Explosion Hazard Data 5. Reactivity Data 6. Health Hazard Data 7. Precautions for Safe Handling and Use 8. Control Measures

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ANSI MSDS Format

• ANSI Z400.1-20041. Product and Company

Identification 2. Hazard Identification3. Composition /

Information On Ingredients

4. First Aid Measures 5. Fire Fighting

Measures 6. Accidental Release

Measures 7. Handling and Storage

8. Exposure Control / Personal Protection

9. Physical and Chemical Properties

10.Stability and Reactivity 11.Toxicological Information 12.Ecological Information 13.Disposal Considerations 14.Transport Information15.Regulatory Information 16.Other Information

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OSHA and the GHS

• Rulemaking Steps– ANPR- Sept. 12, 2006– Notice of Proposed Rulemaking – Sept. 30,

2009• Public Comment Period – ended Dec. 29. 2009• Public Hearing – (Notice published Dec. 29, 2009)

– March and April, 2010 for Washington, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles

• Post-hearing Comment Period

– Final Standard– Phase-in Period for Compliance

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Proposed OSHA Rule

• Major changes to the Hazard Communication Standards

– Changed “hazard determination” to “hazard classification”

– Changed “MSDS” to “SDS”– Changed definitions to comply with GHS– Labels for shipped containers required to have

GHS information• Workplace labels may be GHS labels, or

other labels that identify the material and hazard

– Safety Data Sheets with 16-sections• May include guidance for transportation

information and environmental hazards

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Proposed OSHA Rule

• Major changes to the Hazard Communication Standards (cont.)

– Other OSHA standards are changed where applicable• New wording on warning signs for

asbestos and other health hazards• Changes to standards for HAZWOPER,

Combustible and Flammable Liquids, Welding Cutting and Brazing, etc.

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Proposed OSHA Rule

• Effective dates– Two years after final rule

• Employee training on new labels and safety data sheets

– Three years after final rule• Chemical manufacturers, importers,

distributors, and employers in compliance with all modified provisions

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Proposed OSHA Rule

• Costs and benefits– $97 million annual cost

• training, SDSs & labels, management

– $851 million annual benefit • reduced injuries/illnesses/fatalities,

improved productivity and cost reduction

– $754 million net annual benefit

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OSHA interpretation

• GHS labels comply with current OSHA requirements– Standard Interpretations 10/06/2009 -

Using the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) to Comply with OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard

– http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=27218

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Comments on the proposed rule

• OSHA specifically solicited comments about:– Costs and benefits– Effect on “small entities” – GHS classification system– Combustible dusts and Simple asphyxiants– Color labels vs. B&W– PELs on data sheets– Etc.

• 475 items in the docket (12/29/09)

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ASSE’s Comment

• “ASSE applauds OSHA for its leadership in undertaking this rulemaking and urges that every possible step be taken to achieve a final rule as soon as practicable.”

• However, ASSE has some concerns:– OSHA should include “control banding”– OSHA underestimated the impact on small business– Some hazard classifications should be modified– OSHA should require red borders on labels– Labels should have more required information– Exposure limits should be listed on data sheets– The new standard should have a shorter deadline for

training– There may be a shortage of SH&E professional on staff– Etc.

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• Online news magazine features GHS– “As the United States creeps closer to

adopting the Globally Harmonized Hazard Communication System (GHS), companies must be prepared to comply with the new provisions.”

– http://ehstoday.com/fire_emergencyresponse/hazardous-materials/ghs-power-one/

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Effect on Safety Professionals

• Become familiar with the new system• Collect new SDSs as provided by suppliers

and incorporate them into the existing MSDS system (or use commercial service)

• New GHS labels for “shipped containers”– Employers can use other systems for

workplace labeling

• Train employees on new labels and SDS

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Resources

• GHS Websites– OSHA, http://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/global.html – EPA,

http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/international/globalharmon.htm

– DOT http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/regs/international

– CSPC, http://www.cpsc.gov/phth/GHSpolicy.html – UN,

http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/ghs_rev02/02files_e.html

• Government Printing Office– http://www.gpoaccess.gov/

• OSHA comments– Docket No. OSHA-H022K- 2006-0062 at

http://www.regulations.gov