hazard management mom

1 2010 Government of Singapore 1

A Great Workforce A Great WorkplaceA Great Workforce A Great Workplace


Hazard Communication in Chemical Safety Management

Ang Zhixian

Ministry of Manpower

30th Sep 2010

WSH Council Forum Industrial Chemical Safety

2010 Government of Singapore 2


Scope

Chemical Management

Hazard Communication-GHS

Legislation

Case Study

Guidance Materials



Key Components of InKey Components of In--plant plant Chemical ManagementChemical Management

1. Policy & strategy

2. Procurement & register

3.3. Hazard communicationHazard communication

Labeling & warning noticesLabeling & warning notices

Safety Data Sheet & training Safety Data Sheet & training

4.4. Risk assessments and control

Storage

Transportation

Use & handling

Disposal

5. Hygiene & Medical Surveillance

6. Personal protection

7. Emergency planning & first-aid

8. Programme review & audit

Globally Harmonized

System of Classification

and Labelling of

Chemicals (GHS)



What is GHS?What is GHS?

GHS is the abbreviation for Globally Harmonized System of Classification

and Labelling of Chemicals. It is developed by the United Nations to classify

chemicals by types of hazard and proposes harmonized hazard

communication elements, including labels and safety data sheets, to

enhance the protection of human health and the environment during the

handling, transport and use of these chemicals.

The GHS also provides a basis for harmonization of rules and regulations

on chemicals at national, regional and worldwide level, an important factor

also for trade facilitation.

UNECE UNECE United Nations Economic Commission for EuropeUnited Nations Economic Commission for Europe

http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/ghs_whttp://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/ghs_w

elcome_e.htmlelcome_e.html



Benefits of GHSBenefits of GHS

Enhance the protection of human health and the

environment by providing an internationally comprehensive

system for hazard communication;

Provide a recognized framework for those countries

without an existing system;

Reduce the need for testing and evaluation of chemicals;

Facilitate international trade in chemicals by having thei r

hazards properly identified and assessed on an

international basis.



National GHS Implementation Task Force National GHS Implementation Task Force

Ministry of Manpower [MOM]

Singapore Chemistry Industry Council [SCIC]

National Environment Agency [NEA]

Singapore Civil Defence Force [SCDF]

Singapore Police Force [SPF]

Maritime and Port Authority [MPA]

Ministry of Trade and Industry [MIT]

Standards Productivity and Innovation Board [SPRING]

Health Science Authority [HSA]

Singapore Institution of Safety Officers [SISO]

Workplace Safety and Health Council [WSHC]



Classification of HazardsClassification of Hazards

Hazard ClassificationHazard Classification

GHS classifies chemicals into three main classes: Physical Hazards,

Health Hazards and Environmental Hazards.

Each hazard class is divided into different sub-classes based on the

intrinsic hazardous properties of the chemicals.

Each hazard sub-class is further divided into hazard categories

depending on the severity of the hazard. A lower category number

indicates a more hazardous nature of the chemical and vice versa..

Each hazard class or category is known as a building block in GHS.



..MinistersMinisters encouragedencouraged APECAPEC membersmembers toto workwork towardstowardsimplementingimplementing thethe globallyglobally harmonizedharmonized systemsystem (GHS)(GHS) ononhazardhazard classificationclassification andand labellinglabelling ofof chemicalschemicals andand safetysafetydatadata sheetssheets byby 20062006,, includingincluding throughthrough capacitycapacity buildingbuilding..

1414thth APEC Ministerial Meeting, 2002APEC Ministerial Meeting, 2002

APEC Chemical DialogueAPEC Chemical Dialogue

Endorsement of GHSEndorsement of GHS



MultiMulti--agency governmentagency government--industry collaboration in a industry collaboration in a

taskforce on GHS implementation taskforce on GHS implementation

MultiMulti--agency governmentagency government--industry collaboration in a industry collaboration in a

taskforce on GHS implementation taskforce on GHS implementation

CoCo--chaired bychaired by

Ministry of Ministry of Manpower (MOM)Manpower (MOM)Singapore Chemistry Singapore Chemistry

Industry Council (SCIC)Industry Council (SCIC)

Implementation of GHS in SingaporeImplementation of GHS in Singapore

CoCo--chaired bychaired by



Singapores GHS Hazard ClassesSingapores GHS Hazard Classes



UNsUNs Hazard Classification (Explosives)Hazard Classification (Explosives)



Singapores GHS Hazard ClassesSingapores GHS Hazard Classes



GHS Pictograms and Hazard ClassesGHS Pictograms and Hazard Classes



Duties of Duties of EmployersEmployers

Section 12 (1)Section 12 (1)It shall be the duty of eve ry employe r to take, so far as is reasonably

practicable, such measures as are necessary to ensure the safety and health

of his employees at work.

SectionSection 1212 ((33))

For the purposes of subsection (1), the measures necessary to ensure the

safety and health of persons at work include

(e) ensuring that the person at work has adequate instruction, information,

training and supervision as is necessary for that person to perform his

work.

Workplace Safety and Health ActWorkplace Safety and Health Act



Duties of Duties of manufacturers and suppliers for machinery, equipment manufacturers and suppliers for machinery, equipment or hazardous substances used at workor hazardous substances used at work

Section 16 (1)

Subject to this section, it shall be the duty of any person who manufactures or supplies

any hazardous substance for use at work to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable-

(a) that the information about the safe use of the hazardous substance is available toany person to whom the hazardous substance is supplied for use at work:

(i) the precautions (if any) to be taken for the proper use and maintenance of

hazardous substance;

(ii) the health hazards (if any) associated with hazardous substance;

(iii) the information relating to and the results of any tests or examinations of thehazardous substances

(b) that the hazardous substance is safe, and without much risk to health, when properly

used;

(c) that the hazardous substance is tested and examined so as to comply with the

obligation imposed by paragraph (b)

Workplace Safety and Health ActWorkplace Safety and Health Act



1. Corrosive substances

2. Flammable substances

3. Explosives

4. Oxidising substances

5. Pyrophoric substances

6. Gases under pressure

7. Organic peroxides

8. Self-heating substances

9. Self-reactive substances

10. Substances which in contact with

water, emit flammable gases

11. Toxic substances

12. Mutagens

13. Carcinogens

14. Teratogens

15. Sensitizers

16. Irritants

17. Substances hazardous to aquatic environment

Hazardous SubstancesHazardous Substances

Part II of the Fifth Schedule of the WSHAPart II of the Fifth Schedule of the WSHA



Hazardous Hazardous substancessubstances

Regulation 41(2)Regulation 41(2)

Adequate warning notices in languages understood by allpersons at work in a factory specifying the nature of thedanger of the hazardous substances shall be placed -

(a) at all entrances to any workroom; and

(b) at appropriate locations,

where the hazardous substances are used or present.

WSH (General Provisions) Regulations WSH (General Provisions) Regulations



Hazardous substancesHazardous substances

Regulation 41(3)Regulation 41(3)

Persons at work in a factory who are liable to be exposed tohazardous substances shall be warned of the hazards involvedand the precautionary measures to be taken.


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Warning labelsWarning labels

Regulation 42Regulation 42

It shall be the duty of the occupier of a factory in which thereis any container of hazardous substances to ensure that, so faras reasonably practicable, every such container is affixed withone or more labels that

(a) are easily understood by all persons at work in the

factory;

(b)warn of the hazards involved with the hazardoussubstance in the container; and

(c) specify the precautionary measures to be taken whendealing with the hazardous substance in the container.




Warning Warning labels (SS586 Part 2)labels (SS586 Part 2)

The GHS LabelThe GHS Label

1. Product Identifier1. Product Identifier

2. Pictogram2. Pictogram

3. Signal Words3. Signal Words

4. Hazard Statements4. Hazard Statements

5. Precautionary Statements5. Precautionary Statements

6. Supplementary Information6. Supplementary Information

7. Supplier Information7. Supplier Information

*Scanned image was taken from SCICs Guidebook on the Globally HarmonisedSystem of Classification and Labellingof Chemicals

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Warning Warning labels (SS586 Part 2)labels (SS586 Part 2)

The GHS LabelThe GHS Label

*Scanned image was

extracted from SCICs

Guidebook on the Globally

Harmonised System of

Classification and Labellingof Chemicals



Dimensions of a GHS LabelDimensions of a GHS Label

Capacity of the packageCapacity of the packageDimensions Dimensions

(in millimeters)(in millimeters)

Package capacity 3 litresIf possible,

52 X 74

3 litres < package capacity 50 litres 74 X 105

50 litres < package capacity 500 litres 105 X 148

package capacity > 500 litres 148 X 210

Warning labels (SS586 Part 2)Warning labels (SS586 Part 2)

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Safety data sheets (SDS)Safety data sheets (SDS)

Regulation 43(1) Regulation 43(1)

Where any hazardous substance is used, handled or stored in afactory, it shall be the duty of the occupier of the factory to

(a) obtain a safety data sheet of the substance;

(b) assess the information in the safety data sheet and takeprecautionary measures to ensure the safe use of thesubstance;

(c) make available the safety data sheet to all persons at workin the factory who are liable to be exposed to the substance.





Regulation 43(2) Regulation 43(2)

Where any hazardous substance is sold to any person for use

in a factory, the seller or any agent of the seller who caused

or procured the sale shall provide the buyer with a safety

data sheet for the substance, giving accurate and adequate

information on the substance, including as far as is

reasonably practicable -


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Regulation 43(2) (continued)Regulation 43(2) (continued)

(a) information on the identity of the substance;

(b) the safety and health hazard information pertaining to the substance;

(c) information on the composition of and ingredients used in the substance;

(d) information on first-aid measures;

(e) information on fire-fighting measures;

(f) information on accidental release measures;

(g) information on the precautions to be taken for safe handling and storage;

(h), (i) (p)




SS586 Part 3: SS586 Part 3: Minimum Information for SDSMinimum Information for SDS

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PhasePhase Target Target GHS focusGHS focus

Phase 1A

2 yr wef 1 Nov 08

(by end 2010)

Chemical manufacturers /

suppliers

Preparation of GHS, SDS &

labels for containers

containing single chemicals

/substances

Phase 2A

3 yr

(by end 2011)

Users of chemicals GHS labels for container

containing single chemicals

/substances

Phase 1B

4 yr

(by end 2012)

Chemical manufacturers /

suppliers

Preparation of GHS, SDS &

label for for containers

containing chemical

mixtures

Phase 2B

5 yr

(by end 2013)

Users of chemicals GHS labels for containers

containing chemical

mixtures

GHS Transition GHS Transition PeriodPeriod



Provision of informationProvision of information

Regulation Regulation 66((11) )

In every workplace, the employer, self-employed person and principal shall take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure that any person in the workplace who may be exposed to a risk to his safety and health is informed of

(a) the nature of the risk involved; and

(b) any measure or safe work procedure implemented

WSH WSH (Risk Management) (Risk Management) Regulations Regulations

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WSH (General Provisions) RegulationsWSH (General Provisions) Regulations Regulation 5. Ventilation Regulation 5. Ventilation

Regulation 39. Toxic dust, fumes or other contaminantsRegulation 39. Toxic dust, fumes or other contaminants Regulation 40. Permissible exposure levels of toxic Regulation 40. Permissible exposure levels of toxic substancessubstances

etcetc

WSH (Risk Management) RegulationsWSH (Risk Management) Regulations

Factories Factories (Medical Examinations) (Medical Examinations) RegulationsRegulations

WSH (Incident Reporting) RegulationsWSH (Incident Reporting) Regulations

Other Other Regulations Regulations



Prosecution VS Best Chemical (S) Prosecution VS Best Chemical (S) PtePte Ltd for Providing Ltd for Providing

Misleading Information in SDS Misleading Information in SDS

Charges vs Best Chemical and the MD:Contravention of section 16(1)(a) of the WSH Act, failure to ensure that

information about the safe use of the hazardous substance and the long

term health effects of the toxic substances are available in the SDS for

the solvent Trisoh 101.

Case StudyCase Study

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1996 2001 2010

Fined S$2000

Fined S$1500

Charged and f ined a total of S$80k



Background

Supplier/ Manufacturer

Best Chemical (S) Pte Ltd (BestChem)- manufactures & supplies

Trisoh 101

User:

Shinei International Pte Ltd

Both companies wrote in to MOM to apply for exemption from

Statutory Medical Examinations for TCE

User:

Unigold International Pte Ltd

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FindingsFindings

Problems with SDS

Uncommon synonym for PCE was stated. Literature shows that tertracap is a

synonym of tetrachloroethylene or perchloroethylene (PCE).

Permissible exposure levels provided are inaccurate

Declared ingredients were not found in the chemical, Trisoh 101

PCE is not safer than TCE. Both are Chlorinated hydrocarbons

CNS impairment

Toxic effects on the liver & kidneys if exposure is excessive. Possible

carcinogens to human beings.

Persons exposed to TCE or PCE are required to undergo regular medical

examinations.

Investigations showed that both Unigold & Shinei were deceived by Best

Chemical into believing that Trisoh 101 is a safer substitute for TCE.

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Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA) &Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA) &

EPM (Hazardous Substances) RegulationsEPM (Hazardous Substances) Regulations

Hazardous Substances ControlHazardous Substances Control

Any person who wishes to: import,import, sellsell oror exportexport, any hazardous substance controlled under the EPMA

must obtain a Hazardous Substances Licence.

purchase,purchase, storestore and/orand/or useuse any hazardous substance controlled unde r theEPM (Hazardous Substances) Regulations, must obtain a HazardousSubstances Permit.

transporttransport any hazardous substance in quantities exceeding those specif ied inRegulations must possess a valid Hazardous Substances Licence before

applying for transport approval.



Fire Safety Act & Fire Safety (Petroleum & Flammable Fire Safety Act & Fire Safety (Petroleum & Flammable

Materials) RegulationsMaterials) Regulations

Petroleum having flash point below 610 C, diesel, as well asa list of 237 flammable chemicals and their mixtures(P&FM) are subjected to SCDF licensing control.

SCDF licence is required to storestore, importimport andand transporttransportP&FM above the exemption quantity.

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Storage and Transport Requirements for Dangerous Goods Storage and Transport Requirements for Dangerous Goods

(SS586 Part 1)(SS586 Part 1)

Domestic transport of containers or tanks carryingdangerous goods shall require the display of EmergencyInformation Panels containing the following information:

Appropriate dangerous goods class label, and subsidiary risk label if any;

Correct technical name or Proper Shipping Name of the substance;

UN Number of the substance

telephone numbers and names of the emergency response services, i.e SPF andSCDF; and

telephone numbers and name of the company or organization domiciled inSingapore





Every road vehicle containing dangerous goods in excess ofthe minimum quantity for the class or classes of dangerousgoods, shall be marked on the front, both sides and rearwith class label or placard if the vehicle does not require theTEIP.

Transport ActivityTransport Activity TEIPTEIP DG PlacardDG Placard

Transport units

(Import/ export/ trans-

shipment)

Display not required Display required

Transport units

(Domestic)

Display required Display not required

Lorry with chemical

drum/ LPG cylinder

Display not required Display required

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StorageStorage EmergencyEmergency InformationInformation PanelPanel (SEIP)(SEIP) Every all tanks and bulk stores not in a building, the SEIP is to be

posted on or adjacent to the tank or bulk store so that it is visible fromall normal directions of approach.

For bulk stores within a building or structure, an SEIP is to be posted ateach entrance to the store.

WarningWarning placardplacard forfor packagepackage storesstores At package stores within a building, the warning placards are to be

posted at the main entrance to the building and at every entrance tothat room.

If DG are not stored in a building or structure, the warning placard is tobe prominently displayed at the designated storage area.





WarningWarning panelpanel forfor storagestorage inin publicpublic areasareas Beside the appropriate dangerous goods class label, the subsidiary risk

label if any, the proper shipping name of the dangerous goods stored,the UN number and emergency contact numbers, the warning panelalso includes information to warn the public of the danger of thesubstance present.

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1. Singapore Standards SS 586: 2008 on Specification for Hazard Communication for Hazardous Chemicals and Dangerous Goods developed by Spring Singapore

2. Guidebook on GHS of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals by Singapore Chemical Industry Council Limited (SCIC)

3. United Nations GHS document can be downloaded from http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/ghs_rev02/02 files_e.html

Guidance materials for GHS on Guidance materials for GHS on

Hazard CommunicationHazard Communication



GHS LeafletsGHS Leaflets

1. Fact Sheet

2. Classification

3. Labelling of Chemical Containers

4. Safety Datasheet (SDS)

Guidance materials for GHS on Guidance materials for GHS on

Hazard CommunicationHazard Communication

http://www.siso.org.

sg/www/

http://www.scic.sg/

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Ang ZhixianAng ZhixianEmail: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Internet Website: Internet Website: www.mom.gov.sg/oshdwww.mom.gov.sg/oshd

hazard management mom

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