Big changes are coming to the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard!

 

In 2003, the United Nations (UN) adopted the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The GHS includes criteria for the classification of health, physical and environmental hazards, as well as specifying what information should be included on labels of hazardous chemicals as well as safety data sheets. The United States was an active participant in the development of the GHS, and is a member of the UN bodies established to maintain and coordinate implementation of the system.

OSHA published a proposed rulemaking on September 30, 2009 to align OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard (HCS) with the GHS.

To make a long story short… *all* Material Safety Data Sheets will be revised to adopt the format of and include the information required by the GHS and *all* employees will have to be retrained in how to read, understand and follow the protections required by the new GHS MSDS’s.

If OSHA’s Proposed Rule is adopted, and it likely will be, then there will be a three year transition period for implementing the new GHS system. More information will be presented here as the story develops.

OSHA’s Fact Sheet on the GHS

http://www.osha.gov/as/opa/facts-hcs-ghs.html

and OSHA’s Gateway Page to other resources and information on the GHS

http://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/global.html

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