OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard has been revised to align it with the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. This update to the Hazard Communication Standard provides a common and coherent approach to classifying chemicals and communicating hazard information on labels and safety data sheets. Chemical manufacturers and importers are now required to provide a label that includes a harmonized signal word, pictogram, and hazard statement for each hazard class and category. Precautionary statements must also be provided. In addition, Safety Data Sheets will now have a specified 16-section format.
By December 1, 2013, all employers with hazardous chemicals in the workplace must conduct new training for workers on the new label elements and safety data sheets format to facilitate recognition and understanding.
Aligning Your Hazard Communication with GHS
In 2003, the United Nations (UN) adopted the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). It includes criteria classifying health, physical and environmental hazards. It also specifies what information should be included on labels of chemicals, as well as safety data sheets. The United States has been working to move its hazard communication rules into compliance with GHS since 2005, with the final rule being issued by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) on March 20, 2012. All workplaces must complete training regarding the new labels and safety data sheet formats by Dec. 1, 2013. Chemical manufacturers must comply with all provisions (namely the universal use of new labels and safety data sheets) no later than June 1, 2015. Hazard communication programs and workplace signs at all establishments must be GHS-compliant by June 1, 2016.
The change to GHS as the standard form of hazard communication affects 40 million workers in more than five million American workplaces. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Department of Transportation and Consumer Product Safety Commission are also considering regulatory changes to align with GHS.
Why the Change?
In an increasingly globalizing world, the conversion to GHS is expected to enhance protection of human health and the environment by providing an internationally comprehensible system for hazard communication. According to the EPA, GHS will help ensure more consistency in the classification and labeling of all chemicals, thereby improving and simplifying hazard communication. This improved communication system will alert the user to the presence of a hazard and the need to minimize exposure and risk, resulting in safer transportation, handling and use of chemicals.
GHS Basics
GHS classifies chemicals according to their health, physical and environmental hazards. It uses pictograms, hazard statements, and the signal words “Danger” and “Warning” to communicate hazard information on product labels and safety data sheets (SDS).
Product Labels
Chemical manufacturers and importers will be required to provide a harmonized signal word, pictogram, and hazard statement for each class and category. Precautionary statements must also be provided. The most important elements of GHS-compliant labels are:
- Hazard Statements – A phrase assigned to each hazard category; examples include “harmful if swallowed,” “highly flammable liquid and vapor,” etc.
- Pictograms – A symbol inside a diamond with a red border, denoting a particular hazard class. There are nine pictograms, although pictograms can indicate an entire family of hazards.
- Precautionary Statement(s) – Phrases that recommend measures that should be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure or improper handling. GHS provides guidance on cautionary statements and includes a list of statements that may be used.
- Product Identifiers – Under GHS, labels for substances should include the identity of the substance. Label mixtures should include the identities of ingredients that are responsible for certain hazards on the label (there are exceptions to this based on confidential business information).
- Signal Word – The label and SDS should include a signal word to indicate the relative severity of the hazard. “Warning” is used for less severe hazard categories and “Danger for more severe hazard categories. Lower categories of classification, and unclassified products, do not require pictograms or signal words under GHS.
- Supplier Identification – GHS requires the label to contain the name, address and telephone number of the manufacturer or supplier of the substance.
GHS Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
The SDS are similar to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) requirements for Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), although sections 2 and 3 have been reversed. The SDS should provide a clear description of the data used to identify the hazards. The minimum information required by a GHS-compliant SDS is:
- Identification of the substance or mixture and of the supplier
- Hazards identification
- Composition/information on ingredients
- First aid measures
- Firefighting measures
- Accidental release measures
- Handling and storage
- Exposure controls/ personal protection
- Physical and chemical properties
- Stability and reactivity
- Toxicological information
- Ecological information
- Disposal considerations
- Transport information
- Regulatory information
- Other information including information on preparation and revision of the SDS
The conversion from traditional methods of hazard communication to GHS may be difficult to navigate. Contact Texas Associates Insurors for ongoing support on building and maintaining your OSHA compliance program.
Texas Associates Insurors has prepared a number of materials to assist employers in complying with the new updates. In addition, OSHA’s Hazard Communication Web page explains the changes and contains a number of materials including: a new fact sheet (PDF*) that reviews the new training requirements, new QuickCards that review the new pictogram label requirements and abrief (PDF*) on labels and pictograms.
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