GHS News Room
Did You Know?
Most EHS folks are well aware that for years OSHA has listed its Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) in its top 10 most violated standards. But what you may not have known that penalties associated with non-compliance of OSHA standards relating to chemicals (i.e. process safety management, PPE, respiratory protection, flammable and combustible materials) in conjunction with penalties associated …
There is a lot of confusion out there regarding what OSHA is requiring for labeling. So, let’s try to walk through the basics.
Types of Labels
First, there are “primary labels” and “secondary labels.” Most of the time workplaces use the primary containers they purchase to store and use chemicals. However, sometimes, they may use their own …
Vancouver, Washington – March 22nd, 2012 – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis and Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels announced that the final rule to update the Hazard Communication Standard will be published in the Federal Register on March 26th, 2012. This update will be effective 60 days …
Read MoreThe Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is now aligned with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The revised HCS, which OSHA is calling HazCom 2012, now gives workers not only the right to know, but also the the right to understand.
Today, the rule will be filed at the Office of the Federal Register …
Read MoreSecretary of Labor, Hilda L. Solis will hold a teleconference with the media today to announce updates to OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard. http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1103328861331-48/NAT-OSHA-12-481-HazCom+Press+Call+ADVISORY.pdf
These updates include the incorporation of certain principals of the international Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labeling of Hazardous Chemicals (GHS). It is widely anticipated that on March 26, 2012; …
Read MoreDuring the 2012 Department of Labor’s (DOL) annual budget Webchat, Dr. Michaels was asked when the final rule regarding GHS in the US is expected to be adopted.
David Michaels replied with the following statement:
“Thank you for your interest in OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). We expect this rule to be published soon. This is a …
Read MorePer OSHA news release 03/01/2012:
WASHINGTON – Promoting best practices to reduce worker exposure to hazardous chemicals is the goal of a renewed Alliance between the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Society for Chemical Hazard Communication (SCHC). The renewed Alliance will continue to address hazard communication …
Read MoreAs you know, OSHA’s revisions to its Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) to incorporate certain aspects of GHS has been a long time coming. However, we are in the final stages, as it passed review at the Federal Office of Management and Budget on February 21, 2012.
Let’s review the major changes and challenges on the horizon …
Read MoreThe Federal Office of Management and Budget has completed its review of the GHS revisions to the OSHA Hazard Communication standard.
The revisions include:
-Classification of hazards based on criteria based definitions
-Using the GHS model of “Safety Data Sheets” instead of “Material Safety Data Sheets”
-Using GHS compliant labels that include new elements such as: pictograms, hazard statements, …
Read MoreThe Office of Management and Budget (OMB) extended its 90-day review period on OSHA’s revised Hazard Communication Standard (GHS). Recent OMB projections – available on regulations.gov – predict final action sometime in February. However, OMB is allowed to continue extending its review period.
Timetable:…
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