HazCom is changing to align with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). This will standardize chemical labeling and safety data sheets internationally. By June 2016, companies must update their hazard communication programs, labels, and safety data sheets to comply with the new GHS format and requirements. The changes are meant to improve safety for workers by making chemical hazards more clearly understood globally.

1. HazCom is changing to GHS:
What does this mean for my company and employees?

2.  Background Overview
 Timeline
 What is changing?
 How to train employees
 Additional Learning Resources

3. Why the changes?
How do the changes affect your
company and your employees?

4.  Original Hazard Communication Standard (1983)
◦ “Right to Know”
 Revised Standard
◦ “Right to Understand”
 Aligned with GHS

5.  Enhances worker comprehension of hazards
 Reduces confusion in workplace
 Facilitates safety training
 Safer handling and use of chemicals
 Quicker and more efficient access to information
on safety data sheets (SDSs)

6.  US businesses save more than $475 million in
productivity improvements
 Fewer SDSs and label updates needed
 Provides simpler HazCom training
 Reduces trade barriers  harmonized systems
around the world

7.  Abbreviated: GHS
 A common, coherent approach to define, classify
and communicate hazards from chemicals
 Agreed upon by the UN General Assembly
◦ Modeled after existing systems in US, Canada, and
Europe

8.  Standardized system across countries
◦ Creates systems in countries where none exist
 Enhances global trade
◦ Fewer compliance burdens between different systems
 Enhances protection of humans and the
environment

9.  What was Classification Communication
hazardous before Criteria Requirements
is STILL • Health and • Labels
hazardous environmental • Safety Data
hazards
 GHS standardizes Sheets (SDS)
methods of • Physical • Training
hazards
classifying and
communicating
hazards

10. Acute Toxicity Carcinogenicity
Reproductive Toxicity Hazardous to Aquatic
Environment*
Target Organ Toxicity (Single Serious Eye
and Repeat Dose) Damage/Irritation
Aspiration Toxicity Respiratory/Skin
Sensitization
Skin Corrosion/Irritation Germ Cell Mutagenicity
*Exception: OSHA has no jurisdiction over aquatic toxicity (GHS does)

11. Explosives Self-Heating
Flammability Organic Peroxides
Oxidizers Corrosive to Metals
Self-Reactive Gases Under Pressure
Pyrophoric Water Activated Flammable
Gases

12. Dec 1, 2013 June 1, 2015 Dec 1, 2015 June 1, 2016
• Train employees • Reclassified • All GHS Label • HazCom
on new label and prepared Requirements program must
elements and GHS-compliant must be comply with
SDS format SDSs implemented GHS
• Affects • Affects Chemical • Affects Chemical • Proper GHS
employers Manufacturers, Manufacturers, labels
Importers, Importers, • Proper SDS
Distributors, Distributors,
Employers Employers • Additional
employee
training to
follow updated
HazCom
program
• Affects
everyone

13.  Comply with either existing Hazard
Communication Standards (HCS) or the revised
HCS, or both
 It is okay if both standards for labels and SDSs
are present in workplace (until 6/1/2016)

14.  Revisions Did Not Change…
◦ Who is covered by HCS
◦ Ability to protect trade secrets on labels, in SDSs, etc.
◦ What types of substances are covered
 The Bottom Line:
◦ Documents will look different.
◦ The chemicals are the same.

15. What exactly is different?

16.  Biggest change
 Only employers who manufacture products/by-
products are involved
 New Process
◦ Specific criteria for each health & physical hazard
◦ Detailed instructions for hazard evaluation and
determinations
◦ Hazard classes divided into hazard categories

17.  Who is affected?
◦ Everyone
◦ Especially chemical manufacturers and importers
 Harmonized Labels
◦ Signal Word
◦ Pictogram
◦ Hazard Statement
◦ Precautionary Statement
 6 Months to update labels when new information
becomes known

18.  Used to indicate relative level of severity of hazard
 Alerts reader to potential hazard on label
 “Danger” = more severe hazard
 “Warning” = less severe hazards
 “Caution” = no longer used

19.  Graphic:
◦ White Background
◦ Red Square Frame
◦ Black Symbol
 Conveys specific
information about
hazards of
chemical
 9 under GHS, only
8 required under
OSHA HCS

20.  Assigned to hazard class and category
 Describes the nature of the hazard(s) of chemical
(including degree of hazard, if appropriate)
 Example:
◦ “Fire or protection hazard”
◦ “Fatal if inhaled”

21.  Describes measures to be taken to minimize/prevent
adverse effects that result from exposure to hazardous
chemical, improper storage, etc.
Type Example Statements
Prevention Do not spray on open flame
or other ignition source.
Response Wash contaminated
clothing before reuse.
Storage Protect from sunlight.
Store in a well ventilated
place.

22. Key Label Elements:
Product Identifier
Supplier Identifier
Chemical Identity
Hazard Pictograms*
Signal Words*
Hazard Statements*
Precautionary Information
*Harmonized

23. Product Identifier & Chemical Identity

24. Supplier
Identifier

25. (Harmonized) Hazard
Pictograms

26. (Harmonized) Signal Words

27. (Harmonized)
Hazard Statements

28. Precautionary
Information

29. MSDS SDS
• Content Requirements • Content Requirements
• No Format (Order Counts!)
Requirements • Format Requirements
• Difficult to use during • Most critical
training information shown first

30. What do employees need to
know by June 1, 2013?

31.  Training should include:
◦ How to read labels and SDSs
◦ How to respond safely to chemical hazards
 Major changes are just revised elements of HCS
 Ongoing training  continue as usual

32.  Train employees BEFORE the labels appear
 Make sure employees understand the labels

33. Where to learn more about the
OSHA HazCom Revisions

34.  “The Purple Book” published by the UN (also
available on OSHA website)
 OSHA Quick Cards for SDSs, Labels, and
Pictograms

35.  OSHA’s “Hazard Communication” Webpage
◦ Highlights and key information about HazCom, according
to OSHA and the United States Dept. of Labor
 Facts on Aligning the Hazard Communication
Standard to the GHS
◦ Published by OSHA
◦ FAQ about the changes

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