By December 1, 2013, employers must train workers on the new label elements and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) format required by the revised Hazard Communication Standard. The training must cover the revised product identifiers, pictograms, hazard and precautionary statements on labels, and the new 16-section format and contents of SDSs. Employers must provide training in a manner and language understandable to all employees. The Murphy Insurance Group can assist with HCS compliance training resources.

1. Training Requirements for the
Revised Hazard Communication
Standard
By Dec. 1, 2013, workers must be
trained on the new label elements
and the SDS format.
OSHA Publishes Rule Governing
Whistleblower Complaints under
ACA
Under the rule, employees are
protected from retaliation for
reporting alleged violations of Title
I of the ACA.
Study finds high rate of fatal
falls among roofers in
residential construction
Workers under 20, workers over
44, racial minorities and immigrant
workers also had above-average
fatality rates.
Spring 2013
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In March 2012, OSHA revised its Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to align with the United
Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The first
compliance date associated with the revised HCS is Dec. 1, 2013. By that date, employers must
have trained their workers on the new label elements and the SDS format.
Training on label elements must include information on the following:
• Product identifier: how the hazardous chemical is identified. This can be (but is not limited to)
the chemical name, code number or batch number.
• Signal word: used to indicate the relative level of severity of the hazard and alert the reader to
a potential hazard on the label.
• Pictogram: OSHA’s required pictograms must be in the shape of a square set at a point and
include a black hazard symbol on a white background with a red frame sufficiently wide
enough to be clearly visible.
• Hazard statement(s): describe the nature of the hazard(s) of a chemical, including, where
appropriate, the degree of hazard.
• Precautionary statement(s): means a phrase that describes recommended measures that
should be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to a hazardous
chemical or improper storage or handling.
• Name, address and phone number of the chemical manufacturer, distributor or
importer.
• How an employee might use the labels in the workplace.
• General understanding of how the elements work together on a label.
Training on the format of the SDS must include information on:
• Standardized 16-section format, including the type of information found in the various
sections
• How the information on the label is related to the SDS
OSHA requires employers to present information in a manner and language that their employees
can understand. If employers customarily need to communicate work instructions or other
workplace information to employees in a language other than English, they will also need to provide
safety and health training to employees in the same manner.
The Murphy Insurance Group has a comprehensive suite of training resources available to assist
you with your HCS compliance efforts. Contact us today for more information.
Dec. 1, 2013 Training Requirements for the
Revised Hazard Communication Standard

2. OSHA has published an interim final rule that governs whistleblower complaints
filed under Section 1558 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Under the rule, which
went into effect on Feb. 27, 2013, employees are protected from retaliation for
reporting alleged violations of Title I of the ACA. Employees are also protected
from retaliation for receiving a federal health insurance income tax credit or a
cost-sharing reduction when enrolling in a qualified health plan.
Protected Activity
An employer may not discharge or in any manner retaliate against an employee
because he or she:
• Provided information relating to any violation of Title I of the ACA, or any
act that he or she reasonably believed to be a violation of Title I of the
ACA to the employer, the federal government or a state’s attorney
general;
• Testified, assisted or participated in a proceeding concerning a violation
of Title I of the ACA, (or is about to do so); or
• Objected to, or refused to participate in, any activity that he or she
reasonably believed to be in violation of Title I of the ACA.
In addition, an employer may not discharge or in any manner retaliate against an
employee because he or she received a credit under section 36B of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 or a cost-sharing reduction under Section 1402 of the
ACA for health coverage purchased through an Affordable Health Insurance
Exchange (also known as a Health Insurance Marketplace).
Norfolk Southern Railway Co.
ordered to pay $1.1 million after
terminating 3 workers for reporting
injuries
Norfolk Southern Railway Co. has been ordered to pay
$1,121,099 to three workers following an OSHA
investigation, which found that the company violated the
whistleblower provisions of the Federal Railroad Safety
Act. Two investigations, conducted by OSHA staff in
Chicago and Pittsburgh, found that three employees were
wrongfully fired for reporting workplace injuries.
OSHA announces interim final rules
on Seaman's Protection Act
whistleblower procedures
OSHA has published interim final rules that establish
procedures for handling whistleblower complaints filed
under the Seaman's Protection Act. The Act protects
seamen from retaliation for engaging in protected activity
such as providing information to the government about
violations of maritime safety laws or regulations.
The interim final rule establishes procedures and time
frames for filing complaints with OSHA, investigations,
appeals of OSHA determinations to an administrative law
judge for a hearing, review by the Administrative Review
Board, and judicial review of the secretary of labor's final
decision.
Contact The Murphy Insurance Group for information on
how to maintain compliance with the Seaman's Protection
Act.
Fatal falls most likely to occur during
residential construction, according to
NIOSH study
A new NIOSH-funded study on fatalities in the
construction industry found that residential construction
workers suffer a disproportionate amount of fatal falls.
The study “Fatal falls from roofs among U.S. construction
workers” determined that the odds of a fatal fall from a
roof were higher in residential construction than any other
sector of the construction industry.
Other groups with high rates of fatal falls from
roofs included workers younger than 20,
workers older than 44, racial minorities,
Hispanics and immigrant workers. Workers in
southern regions also had a higher rate of fatal
falls compared to the construction industry as a
whole.
The study’s authors emphasize the need for employer
compliance with OSHA fall protection regulations and
effective training in a language and vocabulary workers
can understand.
© 2013 Zywave, Inc. This publication is for informational purposes only. It
is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or
opinions be construed as compliance or legal advice.
The Murphy Insurance Group
251 Progress Way
Waunakee, WI 53597
(608) 849-6873
http://www.murphyinsurance.com
OSHA Publishes Rule Governing
Whistleblower Complaints under
ACA