Herman Jett Area Manager Cal/OSHA Consultation Services for Los Angeles and Orange Counties 1 Centerpointe Drive Suite 150 La Palma, CA 90623

Globally Harmonized System (GHS) A Worldwide System for Hazard Communication

The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) is an international approach to hazard communication, providing agreed criteria for classification of chemical hazards, and a standardized approach to label elements and safety data sheets

Countries with systems have different requirements for hazard definitions as well as information to be included on a label or material safety data sheet. For example, a product may be considered flammable or toxic in one country, but not in another to which it is being shipped.

US Regulatory agencies regulations are not domestically harmonized—each Agency has pursued independent regulations that differ from each other Domestic producers have to classify and label multiple times for the same product AFFECTED AGENCIES Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-Pesticides Program Department of Transportation-Hazardous Materials Reg. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Principles Of Harmonization  Protections will not be reduced; comprehensibility will be key.  All types of chemicals will be covered; will be based on intrinsic properties (hazards) of chemicals.  All regulatory systems will have to be changed.

GHS Why Now? Non-uniform communication Varying degrees of safety implementation High cost of compliance for international companies No classification of chemical hazards Need for greater consistency

An international mandate to harmonize was proposed at the United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development (UNCED) in 1992 in Brazil: –A globally-harmonized hazard classification and compatible labeling system, including material safety data sheets and easily understandable symbols, should be available, if feasible, by the year –Adopted by the UN 2002.

Uniformity-Oriented Approach Classification of Hazardous Materials Required Chemical Information Use of signal words, pictograms, and hazard warning Terminology “Hazard Determination” is now “Hazard Classification” “Evaluate” is now “Classify” “MSDS” is now “SDS”

Classification Criteria –Health and Environmental Hazards –Physical Hazards –Mixtures Hazard Communication –Labels –Safety Data Sheets

Acute Toxicity Skin Corrosion/Irritation Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation Respiratory or Skin Sensitization Germ Cell Mutagenicity Carcinogenicity Reproductive Toxicity Target Organ Systemic Toxicity/Single and Repeated Dose Hazardous to the Aquatic Environment

Explosives Flammability – gases, aerosols, liquids, solids Oxidizers – liquid, solid, gases Self-Reactive Pyrophoric – liquids, solids Organic Peroxides Corrosive to Metals Gases Under Pressure Water-Activated Flammable Gases

 A single harmonized hazard statement for each level of hazard within each hazard class  Example: Flammable liquids Category 1: Extremely flammable liquid and vapour Category 2: Highly flammable liquid and vapour Category 3: Flammable liquid and vapour Category 4: Combustible liquid

Product identifier Supplier identifier Chemical identity Hazard pictograms* Signal words* Hazard statements* Precautionary information *Standardized

Role of the SDS in the GHS  The SDS should provide comprehensive information about a chemical substance or mixture.  Primary Use: The Workplace  Employers and workers use the SDS as a source of information about hazards and to obtain advice on safety precautions.

As of June 1, 2015, the HCS will require new SDSs to be in a uniform format, and include the section numbers, the headings, and associated information under the headings. Section 1, Identification includes product identifier; manufacturer or distributor name, address, phone number; emergency phone number; recommended use; restrictions on use. Section 2, Hazard(s) identification includes all hazards regarding the chemical; required label elements. Section 3, Composition/information on ingredients includes information on chemical ingredients; trade secret claims. Section 4, First-aid measures includes important symptoms/ effects, acute, delayed; required treatment. Section 5, Fire-fighting measures lists suitable extinguishing techniques, equipment; chemical hazards from fire. Section 6, Accidental release measures lists emergency procedures; protective equipment; proper methods of containment and cleanup. Section 7, Handling and storage lists precautions for safe handling and storage, including incompatibilities.

Section 8, Exposure controls/personal protection lists OSHA's Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs); Threshold Limit Values (TLVs); appropriate engineering controls; personal protective equipment (PPE Section 9, Physical and chemical properties lists the chemical's characteristics. Section 10, Stability and reactivity lists chemical stability and possibility of hazardous reactions. Section 11, Toxicological information includes routes of exposure; related symptoms, acute and chronic effects; numerical measures of toxicity. Section 12, Ecological information* ; Section 13, Disposal considerations* Section 14, Transport information* ; Section 15, Regulatory information* Section 16, Other information, includes the date of preparation or last revision. *Note: Since other Agencies regulate this information, OSHA will not be enforcing Sections 12 through 15(29 CFR (g)(2).

Integration of all new SDS Updating the hazard communication program Retraining of all employees Changes in record-keeping Inventory update Record retention