This guide is intended primarily
to assist employers who use hazardous chemicals in their workplaces
comply with the Hazard Communication Standard promulgated
by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
The standard was revised in 2012 to conform to the United
Nation's Globally Harmonized System of Classification and
Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). It will be fully implemented
in 2016 and benefit workers by reducing confusion about chemical
hazards in the workplace, facilitate safety training, and
improving understanding of hazards. Major changes to the Hazard
Communication Standard include:
Hazard Classification:
Provides specific criteria for classification of health
and physical hazards, as well as 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 by December 1, 2013
on the new labels elements and safety data sheets format
to facilitate recognition and understanding.
The Overview and Guidelines
for Compliance sections contain a general description
of the employer's responsibilities as well as specific items
that will be checked by OSHA to determine compliance with
the standard. The remainder of the kit contains step-by-step
guidelines for setting up and implementing a chemical hazard
communication program and a group of helpful appendices.
The Hazard Communication Standard
gives workers the right to know the hazards and identities
of chemicals in their workplace. A copy of the rule and related
appendices are included. It should be noted that if any requirements
change as a result of further rulemaking, OSHA will revise
and reissue appropriate parts of the standard. This guide
will serve equally well the needs of general industry, construction,
maritime, and agriculture.
This compliance kit provides
guidance on the step-by-step requirements for complying with
the Hazard Communication Standard. Specifically,
it identifies the components of a hazard communication program
and a worker training program. It explains how to use Safety
Data Sheets (SDSs) and how to identify and list hazardous
chemicals present in the workplace. This kit also provides
references, resources, and contacts to assist employers in
obtaining additional information on the hazard communication
regulation. This kit can be expanded by the employer to meet
his/her individual needs, including company hazard communication
and training programs, SDSs and requests for SDSs, and training
or other records.
This Program Kit is informational
only and was compiled from sources believed to be reliable.
The Zurich Services Corporation - Risk Engineering makes no
guarantee of results and assumes no liability in connection
with the information, methods or safety suggestions contained
herein. Moreover, it cannot be assumed that every acceptable
safety or compliance procedure
is contained herein or that abnormal or unusual circumstances
may not warrant or require additional procedures.
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