Hazard Communication Standard Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals Kathleen Park Medical Technology Program Austin Community College

What is hazard communication?  Employers must develop, maintain, prepare, and implement a written hazard communication to include:  List of all hazardous chemicals present onsite  All containers MUST be labeled  Provide employees access to Safety Data Sheets (SDS) at all times within the work area  An effective training program for all employees that could potentially have an exposure

Define the GHS  The Globally Harmonized System (GHS)  International approach to hazard communication  Internationally agreed criteria for classification of chemical hazards  Standardized approach to label elements and SDSs  Based on existing systems from around the world  OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)  U. S. agencies’ labeling systems

Hazard communication updates  The three major areas updated in 2012  Hazard classification  Labels  Safety Data Sheets (SDS)  Formerly known as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Hazard Classification  Definition changed to provide specific criteria  For classification of health hazards  For classification of physical hazards  For classification of mixtures  Why change?  Ensure evaluation of hazardous effect are consistent across manufacturers  Labels are accurate  SDS are accurate  For classification of physical hazards  For classification of mixtures

Hazard Classification  Classification  Physical hazard  Health hazard  Pyrophoric Gas  Simple Asphyxiates  Combustible dust  Hazard not otherwise classified (HNOC)

Labels  Requirements for chemical manufacturers:  Product identifier  Name, address, and telephone number of the chemical manufacturer  Hazard class and category  Harmonized signal word  Pictogram  Hazard statement  Precautionary statements

Safety Data Sheets  Information required is essentially the same as the old standard (MSDS)  1994 Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) indicated what information, but not a format  The revised standard, HCS 2012, requires  Consistent headings  Information in a specified sequence

Safety Data Sheets  SDS MUST be accessible to employees  Employers must maintain SDS  Binders  Online  A back-up system MUST be available for rapid access if power outage  Employees MUST have immediate access without leaving work area  Employers may designate personnel to obtain and maintain the SDS

Safety Data Sheets  SDS format into 16 sections 1.Identification12. Ecological information 2.Hazard identification13. Disposal considerations 3.Composition/information on ingredients14. Transport information 4.First-aid measures15. Regulatory information 5.Fire fighting measures16. Other information 6.Accidental release measures 7.Handling and storage 8.Exposure controls/personal protection 9.Physical and chemical properties 10.Stability and reactivity 11.Toxicological information

Sample SDS

Sample Label

Pictograms  Required under the GHS  Required to convey health, physical, and environment hazards  Found on all SDS

 Fire pictogram - flammables, pyrophorics, self-heating, self-reactive, items that emit flammable gas, and organic peroxides  The pictogram in the middle - oxidizers  The skull and crossbones pictogram - acute toxicity (fatal or toxic) Pictograms

 Hand and chemical pictogram – skin corrosion/burns, eye damage, and corrosive to metals  Explosion pictogram – explosives, self-reactive, and organic peroxides  Exclamation point pictogram – irritant (skin and eye), skin sensitizer, acute toxicity, narcotic effects, respiratory tract irritant, and hazardous to ozone layer Pictograms

 “Dead fish” pictogram – aquatic toxicity  Man and star pictogram – carcinogen, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, respiratory sensitizer, target organ toxicity, and aspiration toxicity  Gas pictogram – gases under pressure Pictograms

References OSHA HCS brief OSHA compliance sheet-changes/ OSHA HCS factsheet