What You Need to Know about OSHA HAZCOM

Standard

OSHA has aligned its Hazard Communication standard last March 2012 with the United Nation and International Labor Organization’s Globally Harmonized System of Labeling Chemicals.

This presentation aims to give you an overview of the GHS HAZCOM components.

What is the Globally Harmonized System (GHS)?

GHS stands for Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. It applies to a wide variety of industries and focuses on the manufacture, labeling, identification of hazards from manufacturers

and distributors all over the

world.

What’s the need for alignment? OSHA’s previous Hazard Communication standard is being aligned with the GHS to promote safe chemical handling, labeling and transportation of hazardous chemicals across the United States. If the previous Hazard Communication standard established in 1983 gave workers the “right to know,” the new GHS grants workers the “right to understand.”

Who will be affected? Over 5 million workplaces and 43 million workers from the construction and general industries will be impacted by the GHS HAZCOM update. These workers include, but are not limited to, construction workers, lab technicians,

pathologists, clean-up

and maintenance

personnel.

Key Dates: June 1, 2015 – The full implementation of GHS will take effect on this date, which requires manufacturers, importers, distributors and employers to be strictly compliant of the modified standard. However, distributors can still ship chemicals labeled by manufacturers utilizing the old system until December 1, 2015.

Key Dates:

June 1, 2016 – This is the deadline of employee training for newly identified hazards. Employers meanwhile should also update the hazard communication program following the identification of new hazards.

Key Vocabularies:

Signal Word – Signal words are utilized to communicate the hazard level of the chemical in question, both on the label and the safety data sheets.

Pictogram – Pictograms are symbols framed by a red border and communicate a hazard. They appear on both the label and the SDS.

Key Vocabularies:SDS – “SDS” will now be used in replacement

of “MSDS” – the acronym for material safety data sheet. The SDS comes in a 16-section format and provides workers comprehensive information on the safe handling of chemicals as well as instructions for mitigation response.

Hazard Groups – Categories of hazards; are divided into three types: health, physical and environmental hazards.

Key Vocabularies:Class – The term used to identify different

hazard types under a hazard group.

Category – The term used to identify sub-sections of classes. Categories are represented by letters of numbers.

Hazard Statement - The hazard statement is a standardized statement that details a hazard. It appears both on the SDS and the label.

Elements of the GHS HAZCOM standard:

• Product Identifiers• Signal Words• Pictograms • Precautionary Statements• Safety Data Sheets• Supplier Identification

1. Product IdentifiersProduct identifiers are printed on the chemical label and Section 1 of the new Safety Data Sheets (SDS). It includes the chemical name, and code or batch number of the chemical. Manufacturers, importers and distributors are the entities that assign product identifiers to chemical substances.

2. Signal WordsSignal words indicate the hazard level of the chemical being handled. Two signal words will now be used in the industry: “warning” which is used for less severe hazards and “danger” for more

severe ones. Only

one signal word will

be used on the

label.

3. Pictograms Pictograms are used to indicate the hazard class and categories of the chemical, especially if it features multiple hazards. One pictogram is used for each hazard.

4. Warning StatementsWarning statements or precautionary statements provide protective information about the hazards. They are found on the left-hand side of the label, just below the supplier identification. Precautionary statements are composed of one-liners or quick phrases that provide workers instructions on how to limit their exposure to chemicals and execute emergency response procedures against accidents.

5. Safety Data SheetsThe use of a new safety data sheet format will be implemented beginning on June 1, 2015. Now containing 16 sections, the new SDS will include section numbers, headings, and related information, which aim to explain the hazard recognition elements found on the label.

6. Supplier IdentificationThe supplier identification provides information on the manufacturer, distributor or importer of the chemical and includes the name, address and telephone number. It is found just below the product identifier on the label.

9 Pictograms Used in GHSFlame over Circle Oxidizers

FlameFlammables; pyrophorics; self-heating; emits Flammable gas’ self reactives; organic peroxide

Exploding Bomb

Explosives; self reactives; organic Peroxides

Skull and Crossbones acute toxicity (severe)

9 Pictograms Used in GHSCorrosion- Corrosives

Gas Cylinder - Gases under pressure

Health Hazard Carcinogen; mutagenicity; reproductive toxicity;respiratory sensitizer; target organ toxicity; aspiration toxicity

9 Pictograms Used in GHSEnvironmentAquatic toxicity

ExclamationIrritant; skin sensitizer; acute toxicity (harmful); narcotic effects; respiratory tract irritation; hazardous to ozone layer

16 Components of the New Safety Data Sheets• Supplier Identification;• Hazard Identification;• Information on ingredients/substances;• First-aid measures;• Accidental release measures;• First-fighting measures;• Handling and storage of chemicals;• Exposure controls and personal protection;

16 Components of the New Safety Data Sheets• Physical and chemical properties;• Stability and Reactivity;• Toxicological information;• Ecological information;• Disposal considerations;• Transportation information;• Regulatory information;• Information on the date of chemical release and

last revision of the SDS

What to Expect During Training?• The training about the GHS HAZCOM update

should be in a manner and language that workers understand. Needless to say, the trainer should exert all effort and must elaborate on all the details of each of the elements when workers don’t understand them before moving on to the next topic.

• The training should also effectively explain the link between the labels and the SDS. Each section on the SDS sheet must also be explained.

What are the benefits of GHS?OSHA maintains that the new standard will help prevent over 500 workplace injuries and illnesses as well as 43 fatalities every year. Other benefits of the GHS implementation include:

• Enhanced worker understanding on hazard recognition, even among workers who had limited schooling or literacy level; reduced confusion on the part of workers when handling and using chemicals

What are the benefits of GHS?

• Make information on SDS more accessible• Save businesses up to $474 million because

of increased productivity, fewer SDS and label updates and simplified HazCom training

• Reduce trade barriers by unifying chemical handling and distribution globally

Sources:• F. Marie Athey. (2013). GHS and Hazardous Communication: Are You Ready? Retrieved

November 29, 2013 from http://www.oshacampus.com/blog/ghs-hazardous-communication/ • F. Marie Athey. (2013). A Few Things to Note about the GHS HAZCOM Update. Retrieved

November 29, 2013 from http://www.oshacampus.com/blog/a-few-things-to-note-about-the-ghs-hazcom-update/

• F. Marie Athey. (2013). GHS HAZCOM Training –Your Right to Know. Retrieved November 29, 2013 from http://www.oshacampus.com/blog/ghs-hazcom-training-your-right-to-know/

• F. Marie Athey. (2013). Barely a Month Left to Meet GHS HAZCOM Requirements – Are You Ready? Retrieved November 29, 2013 from http://www.oshacampus.com/blog/barely-a-month-left-to-meet-ghs-hazcom-requirements-are-you-ready/

• F. Marie Athey. (2013). Some Frequently Asked Questions about GHS HAZCOM. Retrieved November 29, 2013 from http://www.oshacampus.com/blog/some-frequently-asked-questions-about-ghs-hazcom/

• F. Marie Athey. (2013). New GHS Label Elements that You Should Know About. Retrieved November 29, 2013 from http://www.oshacampus.com/blog/what-are-the-new-ghs-label-elements-that-you-should-know-about/

• OSHA. (2013). A Guide to The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. (GHS) Retrieved November 29, 2013 from https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/ghs.html