The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has revised the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to align with the United Nations globally harmonized system (GHS) of classification and labeling of chemicals. The main goal of this update is to improve the quality and consistency of hazard information in the workplace, making it safer for workers to handle chemicals. This article guides you through understanding and implementing these revisions.
Firstly, it’s crucial to comprehend the key changes in the revised standard. The modifications primarily focus on hazard classification, labels, and safety data sheets.
Major changes to the Hazard Communication Standard
- Hazard classification: Provides specific criteria for the classification of health and physical hazards, as well as the classification of mixtures.
- Labels: Chemical manufacturers and importers will be 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.
- Safety Data Sheets: Will now have a specified 16-section format.
- Information and training: Employers are required to train workers on the new label elements and safety data sheet format to facilitate recognition and understanding.
Hazard classification under the revised HCS now provides specific criteria for classifying health and physical hazards and mixtures of chemicals. This new, detailed approach ensures that evaluations of hazardous effects are consistent across manufacturers and that labels and safety data sheets are more accurate as a result.
The revised HCS also mandates a standardized label format for all hazardous chemicals, which must include a harmonized signal word, pictogram, and hazard statement for each hazard class and category. Precautionary statements must also be provided.
Safety Data Sheets (SDS), previously called Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), are now required to follow a specified 16-section format. This standardized format provides a coherent and consistent approach to presenting important protection information.
To implement these changes, organizations should start by updating their inventory of chemicals. The revised hazard classification requires a reassessment of all chemicals in use, as their hazardous properties may have been reclassified, and their labels and safety data sheets updated.
Next, ensure that all hazardous chemicals have appropriate labels following the new guidelines. This includes the specific signal word, pictogram, hazard statement, and precautionary statement.
Transition from MSDS to the new SDS format, and ensure employees know how to read and understand these sheets. The new format is designed to be easier to use, but it’s crucial that employees are trained in understand these documents.
Importantly, training is key to the successful implementation of these revisions. Employees should be trained to understand the new label elements and safety data sheet format, enabling them to use this information to protect themselves and their co-workers.
Finally, revise your written hazard communication program. It must now include details of the new label elements and SDS, and the methods the employer will use to inform employees of the hazards of non-routine tasks and chemicals in unlabeled pipes.
In conclusion, understanding and implementing OSHA’s revised Hazard Communication Standard is not just a legal obligation but a crucial step in ensuring a safer working environment. The revisions aim to provide clearer, more consistent, and precise information about chemical hazards, empowering employees to make informed decisions about their safety in the workplace. By comprehending and implementing these changes effectively, organizations can significantly enhance their safety communication, reducing risks and fostering a culture of safety.
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