By Sandy Flippo, SPHR 
New standards for communicating the health and safety risks involved in handling chemicals and substances have been adopted by OSHA. These changes are designed to protect American workers as well as align the United States with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals being implemented throughout the world by countries including Canada, Europe, China, Australia and Japan. Other U.S. agencies such as Dept. of Transportation have modified their classification and labeling criteria to ensure consistency with this new globally harmonized system. The global Hazard Communication Standard is expected to enhance trade by making the U.S. system consistent with procedures and processes used around the world. OSHA also expects that the new system will help prevent injuries and illnesses as well as save lives. (OSHA Quick Takes, www.OSHA.gov, March 28, 2012). Changes include:
- Chemicals now will be classified according to their health and physical hazards. Chemical manufacturers will be required to determine the health and physical hazards of each chemical as well as the classification of the chemical mixtures before shipping.
- Labels must now include a signal word, pictogram, hazard statement and precautionary statement. This is expected to enhance workers’ understanding of the potential hazards involved and create a safer workplace.
- Safety Data Sheets will be in a standardized format throughout the world which will provide consistency and assist in understanding.
- All workers must be trained on the new standards by December 1, 2013.
Details on the new Hazard Communication Standard, including implementation deadlines and a link to the Federal Register notice, can be found at www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/index.html.
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