Hazard Communication Standard

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 • Identification 12. Ecological information • Hazard identification 13. Disposal considerations • Composition/information on ingredients 14. Transport information • First-aid measures 15. Regulatory information • Fire fighting measures 16. Other information • Accidental release measures • Handling and storage • Exposure controls/personal protection • Physical and chemical properties • Stability and reactivity • Toxicological information

Sample SDS

Sample Label

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

Pictograms • 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

References OSHA HCS brief https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3514.pdf OSHA compliance http://www.thecompliancecenter.com/blog/2012/05/09/oshas-safety-data-sheet-changes/ OSHA HCS factsheet https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/HCSFactsheet.html

Hazard Communication Standard