Chemical hazards can pose great physical, health and environmental dangers if not handled properly. Manufacturer Labeling was the primary target of American Supply Association's (ASA) April 10, 2013, webinar to address the revised OSHA Hazard Standard and the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The webinar, hosted by Ricky Bryant, Chairman of the ASA Alliance with OSHA, and guest speaker Louisa M. Mayers, Director of Regulatory Services of MSDSpro, discussed a renewed focus on chemical compliance in the workplace, including how OSHA’s updated standard impacts the manufacturers responsibility.
GHS was introduced by the United Nations after recognizing the need for a globalized standard in chemical handing and labeling. The goal of GHS is to create a globally recognized set of rules for classifying hazards and communicating health and safety information.
In May 2012, the United States aligned with the UN GHS through the implementation of the revised OSHA HazCom Standard. As a result, chemical manufacturers and importers must now classify their products under division three of the UN GHS and provide labels that include appropriate paperwork, GHS pictograms, and hazard and precautionary statements from each hazard class category. In addition, Safety Data Sheets will now have a specified 16-section format, and all employers must train workers by December 1, 2013 on the new labels elements.
OSHA’s revisions to the HazCom standard are expected to improve the current procedures and lessen the health and safety risks associated with hazardous chemical exposure, Mayer’s said.
More information on the Revised HazCom 2012 Standard can be found on the OSHA website. Recordings from this webinar will be available to the public on the ASA website under Safety Resources.