Question:
What are the changes in OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard?

Answer:
Prior to now, OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard hasn’t been changed since 1994. The new 2012 modifications to the standard were brought about to improve the health and safety of workers through more effective communications on chemical hazards. The changes to the standard are related mainly to labeling, safety data sheets (SDSs), and hazard classification of chemicals. One of the new requirements is that all employees must be trained on the requirements of the standard by December 1, 2013. This is a great opportunity to take a deeper look into your overall Hazard Communication Program, including your written program and training, and update them to reflect OHSA’s new Hazard Communication Standard requirements.

Question:
What is GHS and how does that affect the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)?

Answer:
GHS is the acronym for Globally Harmonized System. The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) mandated, in June 1992, after little progress was made regarding international harmonization, the development of a globally harmonized chemical classification and labeling system. GHS called for the harmonization of chemical hazard classification, labeling systems, SDSs, and easily understandable symbols. These new GHS global mandates required changes by the year 2000. It took another 12 years for OSHA to update their Hazard Communication Standard to match the requirements GHS.

Question:
How do I insure compliance with the updated HCS requirements?

Answer:
Like any new standard, you must first have a comprehensive, compliant, user-friendly written program. Then, you must train your employees to your new written program and the new standard. Then, all that remains is implementation. Sounds easy…well, hopefully it will be. However, because the requirements of the old OSHA standard have been ingrained in employees since 1983 (i.e., the term MSDS vs SDS) it may not be as easy as it appears.

Total Environmental & Safety, LLC (Total) can assist with this challenge and assist your organization in obtaining and maintaining compliance with the Hazard Communication Standard-Globally Harmonized System (HCS-GHS) requirements.