Um, no, this is not exactly what we meant by global harmonization…
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has finalized its rule intended to conform the Hazard Communication Standard to the UN Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The 858-page (gah!) rule can be downloaded here. It is expected to be published in the March 26 Federal Register.
The revisions introduce several important changes to the Hazard Communication Standard:
- Hazard classification under the new, updated standard provides specific criteria to address health and physical hazards as well as classification of chemical mixtures.
- Chemical manufacturers and importers must provide a label that includes a signal word, pictogram, hazard statement, and precautionary statement for each hazard class and category.
- The new format for Safety Data Sheets (no longer Material Safety Data Sheets, or MSDS) requires 16 specific sections, ensuring consistency in presentation of important protection information.
- Workers must be trained by December 1, 2013 on the new label elements and safety data sheet format, in addition to current training requirements.
The implementation schedule for the revised Hazard Communication Standard is as follows:
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