7/29/2019 OSHA Updates Hazard Communication Requirements for U.S. Companies

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OSHA Updates Hazard Communication Requirements for U.S. CompaniesThe U.S. workplace safety watchdog is requiring a change in the way U.S.companies teach their employees about potentially dangerous chemicals they comeinto contact with.

The changes are expected to make the workplace safer for millions of workers while

also making the companies more competitive in the global market.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) already requirebusinesses that use and make hazardous chemicals to inform workers of healthhazards and physical hazards. The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requireschemical manufacturers and businesses that import chemicals to label them andprepare safety data sheets for workers. It also requires these employers to have ahazard communication program to teach workers about the dangers of exposurelike hazwoper certification programs.

The United Nations also has a global chemical labeling system known as theGlobally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).

OSHA's update to HCS will make the HCS consistent with GHS. Once implementedlater this year, the revised standard will help businesses overcome trade barriersthey currently face by using hazard standards that are inconsistent with GHS.

According to U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, the soon-to-be-implementedupgrade will make workers safer and make it easier for employers to keep themproductive.

"Exposure to hazardous chemicals is one of the most serious threats facingAmerican workers today," Solis said via the OSHA website. "Revising OSHA's HazardCommunication standard will improve the quality and consistency of hazardinformation, making it safer for workers to do their jobs and easier for employers tostay competitive."

OSHA says the revised HCS will:

Prevent an estimated 43 deaths per year.

Result in an estimated $475.2 million in enhanced productivity for U.S.businesses per year.

Save U.S. businesses $32.2 million per year.

Prevent an estimated 585 injuries and illnesses per year.

Reduce trade barriers for businesses that operate globally.

The HCS was conceived to maintain safety for workers by informing them ofidentities, properties, and potential harmful effects of the chemicals they work with.Under the HCS, such information must not only be developed by chemicalmanufacturers and importers, but also conveyed to their customers through labelsand safety data sheets.

Companies that have harmful chemicals in their workplaces, meanwhile, arerequired to make these labels and safety data sheets available to their employees.

They're also required to train them how to handle the chemicals properly.

http://www.oshacampus.com/hazwoper-traininghttp://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/index.htmlhttp://www.oshacampus.com/hazwoper-traininghttp://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/index.html

7/29/2019 OSHA Updates Hazard Communication Requirements for U.S. Companies

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Chemical manufacturers and importers will now be required to prepare labels thatcarry a pictogram, a harmonized signal word (such as warning or radioactive),and a hazard statement for each hazard class and category. Precautionarystatements are also required. Safety data sheets will need to be in the required 16-section format for uniformity and readability.

In addition, employers are now obligated to train all their workers on the new labelsand safety data sheets format by Dec. 1, ensuring that they will be able torecognize the symbols and pictograms and understand the significance of thehazard information included.