GLOBALLY HARMONIZED SYSTEM for HAZARD COMMUNICATION

1. GLOBALLY HARMONIZED SYSTEM for HAZARD COMMUNICATION David Wallace, CIH Sr. Lecturer, Utah State University Nevada Local Section, AIHA March 9, 2011

2. Outline • GHS overview • OSHA’s GHS activity • Proposed changes to the Hazard Communication Standard • Current status of the proposed standard • Impact on Safety professionals

3. Introduction • In 1985, one of my jobs as a “young” industrial hygiene professional was helping my employer comply with OSHA’s new Hazard Communication standard, 1910.1200. • Now, it looks like we will need to do it again!

4. Introduction • AIHA online GHS course, if you want to learn more!

5. GHS Overview • “Globally Harmonized System Of Classification And Labeling Of Chemicals” • United Nations guidance for a uniform (harmonized) hazard communication system • Initiated at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) • Based on ”major” existing systems • USA and Canadian systems for the workplace, workplace, consumers and pesticides • European Union directives for classification and labeling of substances and preparations • United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.

6. GHS Overview GHS “Purple Book” • Elements • Harmonized criteria forclassifying substances and mixtures according to their health, environmental and physical hazards • Harmonized hazard communication elements, including requirements for labeling and safety data sheets. • Guide to the GHS (OSHA)

7. GHS Overview • Justification • Label requirements differ, requiring multiple labels for the same product • Hazard definitions are not consistent • Toxicity, Flammability • Globally over 100 diverse hazard communication regulations for their products globally • Regulatory compliance is complex and costly • Barrier to international trade in chemicals

10. Flammability example

12. Flammability Example • OSHA letter of interpretation, July 14, 2010 • Re: The definitions of combustible and flammable liquids under 29 CFR 1926 and 29 CFR 1910.  • Question: Why are the definitions for combustible liquids and flammable liquids different under OSHA's construction and general industry standards?  • Answer: The definitions in the two standards are different because the definitions were adopted from different sources. OSHA is currently addressing these definitions in the Hazard Communication rulemaking. [GHS} • http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=27488

13. GHS Overview • Key Guiding Principles of the Harmonization Process • Protection will not be reduced • Will be based on intrinsic properties (hazards) of chemicals • All types of chemicals will be covered • All systems will have to be changed • Involvement of all stakeholders should be ensured • Comprehensibility must be addressed

14. GHS Hazard Classification • Defined criteria are used to assign a hazard classification • Physical Hazards • 16 categories • Health Hazards • 10 categories • Environmental Hazards • Mixtures • GHS classification guidance for when chemicals are mixed

15. Physical Hazards (16) Explosives Flammable Gases Flammable Aerosols Oxidizing Gases Gases Under Pressure Flammable Liquids Flammable Solids Self-Reactive Substances Pyrophoric Liquids Pyrophoric Solids Self-Heating Substances Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases Oxidizing Liquids Oxidizing Solids Organic Peroxides Corrosive to Metals GHS Hazard Classification

16. Health Hazards (10) Acute Toxicity Skin Corrosion/Irritation Serous Eye Damage/Eye Irritation Respiratory or Skin Sensitization Germ Cell Mutagenicity Carcinogenicity Reproductive Toxicology Target Organ Systemic Toxicity – Single Exposure Target Organ Systemic Toxicity – Repeated Exposure Aspiration Toxicity GHS Hazard Classification

17. GHS Hazard Classification • Hazardous to the Aquatic Environment • Acute aquatic toxicity • Chronic aquatic toxicity • Bioaccumulation potential • Rapid degradability

18. GHS Hazard Communication • Labels • Symbols (hazard pictograms) with red border • Examples:

19. GHS Hazard Communication • Labels (cont.) • Nine symbols • Includes “Environment”

20. GHS Hazard Communication • Labels (cont.) • Signal Words • “Danger” or “Warning” • Hazard Statements • Example: “Toxic if swallowed” • Other • Precautions, identification, supplier, supplemental

21. GHS Hazard Communication • Labels (cont.) • GHS Label Elements for Flammable Liquids

22. GHS label example

23. GHS Hazard Communication • GHS Safety Data Sheet (SDS) • 16 headings • Similar to ISO, EU, and ANSI MSDS/SDS requirements

24. OSHA MSDS format (old) • OSHA-174 (1989), 8 sections (non-mandatory) • Manufacturer information • Hazard Ingredients/Identity Information • Physical/chemical properties • Fire and Explosion Hazard Data • Reactivity Data • Health Hazard Data • Precautions for Safe Handling and Use • Control Measures 24

25. ANSI Z400.1-2004 Product and Company Identification Hazard Identification Composition / Information On Ingredients First Aid Measures Fire Fighting Measures Accidental Release Measures Handling and Storage Exposure Control / Personal Protection Physical and Chemical Properties Stability and Reactivity Toxicological Information Ecological Information Disposal Considerations Transport Information Regulatory Information Other Information ANSI MSDS format 25

26. OSHA and the GHS • Rulemaking Steps • Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, ANPR • Sept. 12, 2006 • Notice of Proposed Rulemaking • Sept. 30, 2009 • Public Comment Period ended Dec. 29, 2009 • Public Hearings • Washington, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles • March and April, 2010 • Post-hearing Comment Period ended June 1, 2010 • Final Standard • Probably by late 2011, according to OSHA staff • Phase-in Period for Compliance • 2-3 years (as proposed)

27. Proposed OSHA rule • Major changes to the Hazard Communication Standards • Changed “hazard determination” to “hazard classification” • Changed “MSDS” to “SDS” • Changed definitions to comply with GHS • Labels for shipped containers must have GHS information • Workplace labels may be GHS labels, or other labels that identify the material and hazard • Safety Data Sheets with 16 sections • May include guidance for transportation information and environmental hazards • Side-by-side comparison (OSHA)

28. Proposed OSHA rule • Major changes to the Hazard Communication Standards (cont.) • Other OSHA standards are changed where applicable • New wording on warning signs for asbestos and other health hazards • Changes to standards for HAZWOPER, Combustible and Flammable Liquids, Welding Cutting and Brazing, etc.

29. Proposed OSHA rule • Effective dates • Two years after final rule • Employee training on new labels and safety data sheets • Three years after final rule • Chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors, and employers in compliance with all modified provisions

30. Proposed OSHA rule • Costs and benefits • $97 million annual cost • training, SDSs & labels, management • $851 million annual benefit • reduced injuries/illnesses/fatalities, improved productivity and cost reduction • $754 million net annual benefit

31. OSHA interpretation • GHS labels comply with current OSHA requirements • Standard Interpretation 10/06/2009 - Using the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) to Comply with OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard • http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=27218

32. Comments on the proposed rule • OSHA specifically solicited comments about: • Costs and benefits • Effect on “small entities” • GHS classification system • Combustible dusts and simple asphyxiants • Color labels vs. B&W • PELs on data sheets • Etc. • Public Hearings ended April 13, 2010 • Record closed June 1, 2010 (877 items)

33. Comments on the proposed rule • Maureen Ruskin, director of OSHA's Office of Chemical Hazards, at GHS Round Table, 5/24/2010, AIHCE, Denver, Co • Vast majority of comments support OSHA • OSHA should adopt EU reporting limits for chronic hazards • Create “hazards not otherwise classified” category • Support and criticism of proposal to drop TLVs • Updating labels within 30 days may not be feasible • OSHA may have underestimated cost of red border • Mixed support for adoption of GHS hazard statements • Disagreement about implementation dates • OSHA should provide more information for training

34. Comments on the proposed rule • OSHA’s update (cont.) • Some believe OSHA will create confusion with changes to flammable/combustible liquid classification, yet others agreed with OSHA • OSHA should review safety standards to avoid conflicts • Concerns over carcinogen notation changes in the health standards • Concerns about conflict or confusion regarding EPA/DOT/NFPA • OSHA underestimated costs • Very little support for OSHA’s proposed alternatives • How will OSHA respond after UN updates GHS?

35. “ASSE applauds OSHA for its leadership in undertaking this rulemaking and urges that every possible step be taken to achieve a final rule as soon as practicable.” However, ASSE has some concerns: OSHA should include “control banding” OSHA underestimated the impact on small business Some hazard classifications should be modified OSHA should require red borders on labels Labels should have more required information TLV and REL exposure limits should be listed on data sheets The new standard should have a shorter deadline for training There may be a shortage of SH&E professional on staff Etc. ASSE’s comment

36. “AIHA supports the proposed revision of the HCS and believes it will result in better hazard recognition and safer use of chemicals in the workplace.” AIHA’s generally supports OSHA: Proposed hazard classifications are OK OSHA should require red borders on labels TLVs , WEELs and other exposure limits should be listed on data sheets OSHA should include a hazard category for combustible dust Training should not be delayed AIHA also submitted a post-hearing comment, April 29, 2010 to answer OSHA questions AIHA’s comment

37. OSHA’s Schedule • Record closed June 1 • Tasks: • Analyze information in the record • Prepare the final rule and update the analyses of the record • Submit rule for administrative review • OSHA, DOL, OMB • This is high priority for OSHA • Expect final standard about 1 ½ years (?)

38. Recent GHS activity • United Nations Subcommittee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (UNSCEGHS), Dec. 7-9, 2010, in Geneva • OSHA hosted an open informal public meeting of the U.S. Interagency GHS Coordinating Group, Nov. 20, 2010. • To provide interested parties with an update on GHS issues in preparation for the UN meeting • http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=FEDERAL_REGISTER&p_id=21809

39. OSHA’s Schedule • Dr. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA • June 16, 2010 at the Baltimore ASSE conference: the Global Harmonized System standard –a “non-controversial rule” – has received good comments and is moving along on target • Source: Occupational Health and Safety online magazine

40. OSHA’s Fall 2010 Regulatory Agenda, http://www.dol.gov/osha/regs/unifiedagenda/fall2010/1218-AC20.htm

41. Commercial GHS services • Commercial Hazard Communication and MSDS/SDS authoring services should be “ready” for GHS • Required for international trade • Preparing for domestic market • Examples: • http://3ecompany.com/solutions/ghs-solutions/ • http://www.sitehawk.com/ghs_home.html

42. GHS in the commercial news • Industry Week • How to Convert to the Globally Harmonized System of Chemical Classification • EHS Today • GHS: The Power of One • OH&S • Major GHS Progress This Year • OSHA's GHS Leader Sees Final Rule in 18 Months • Global Harmonization — A Catalyst for Safety • OSHA, GHS, and Your MSDSs and Labels • A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words • OSHA Finally Brings GHS to America

43. Impact on Safety and IH Professionals • Become familiar with the new system • May want to wait until the OSHA rule is “final” • Collect new SDSs as provided by suppliers and incorporate them into the existing MSDS system (or use a commercial service) • Get new GHS labels for “shipped containers” • Employers can use other systems for workplace labeling • Train employees about new labels and SDS

44. Impact on Chemical Manufacturers and Distributors • Prepare and use new GHS compatible labels • Prepare and distribute new GHS compatible Safety Data Sheets • Commercial “authoring” firms are ready and willing to help

45. GHS Resources • GHS Websites • OSHA, http://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/global.html • EPA, http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/international/globalharmon.htm • DOT http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/regs/international • CSPC, http://www.cpsc.gov/phth/GHSpolicy.html • UN, http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/ghs_rev02/02files_e.html • Government Printing Office • http://www.gpoaccess.gov/[this site will be replaced with the Federal Digital System, http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/] • OSHA comments • Docket No. OSHA-H022K- 2006-0062 at http://www.regulations.gov • Nearly 900 items!