Category: Hazard Communication Standard

OSHA Revises the Hazard Communication Standard

On May 20, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published its final rule updating the Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910). The updated Standard includes revised criteria for
classification of certain health and physical hazards; revised provisions for
updating labels; new labeling provisions for small containers; and technical
amendments related to the contents of safety data sheets (SDSs). The updated rule also includes new provisions related to trade secrets and related revisions to definitions of terms used in the standard. The revised Standard takes effect on July 19, 2024.

Continue reading “OSHA Revises the Hazard Communication Standard”

OSHA GHS Update – The June 1 Deadline

OSHA-compliant label

label example from OSHA Brief 3636

Are you in compliance with the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, as revised to incorporate the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)?

June 1, 2015, is an important deadline to meet the revised requirements. By this date, if your operation manufacture, import or distribute chemicals, you must:

  • identify hazards associated with the chemicals you manufacture, import or distribute, using the new “hazard classification” system that replaces the previous hazard determination;
  • properly label all hazardous chemicals shipped with specified label elements including signal word, pictograms, hazard statements and precautionary statements (see example above);
  • prepare and distribute with chemical shipments Safety Data Sheets that comply with the new 16-section format (replacing the former “Material Safety Data Sheet” or MSDS).

OSHA has signaled some leniency with regard to enforcement, particularly with respect to downstream manufacturers and distributors that may have difficulty obtaining hazard data on mixture ingredients from upstream suppliers.

Continue reading “OSHA GHS Update – The June 1 Deadline”