GHS Global Harmonized System

Transcription

1 GHS Global Harmonized System What you need to know Allan A. Myers: Brett Saber

2 Objectives Where did GHS come from? Changes associated with GHS Dates/ required deadlines Tips for a smooth transition Review

3 Employee Right to Know Original Hazard Communication Standard written in 1983 updated This standard was also referred to as Employee Right to Know Developed to ensure employees had access to information and training on hazards associated with chemicals and products they were exposed to at work.

4 OSHA Adopted GHS Requirements Global Harmonized System of classification and labeling of chemicals

5 Unchanged Information SDSs Must be in English Must be readily available for employees Labels cannot be removed unless immediately replaced Annual Hazard Communication refresher training.

6 Why is GHS needed??? What was wrong with the old system? Prior to GHS most countries had hazard a communication system consisting of three parts: - Labeling - Safety Data Sheets/ Material Data Sheets - Training ***That sounds pretty good What s wrong with that???***

7 Problem Each country developed its own individual system, symbols, colors, shapes resulting in CONFUSION

8 Additionally Differences from country to country also compromised safety. Determining what was considered flammable or toxic in Russia could be different than in China or India etc. - Different standards were used to determine what was hazardous.

9 When did GHS Start In 1992 a conference was held in Rio De Janerio by the United Nations on: Environment and Development: Beginning of GHS

10 What is GHS? OSHA revised its Hazard Communication Standard to align with the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and labeling of chemicals Published in the Federal Register in March, 2012 Standardize how employees know what they are working with, how it can harm them and how they can protect themselves.

11 What changes will be made? Three Major Changes in the revised standard: 1) New Labeling Elements 2) Standardized format for Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Formerly known as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) 3) Hazard classification goes beyond determining if a chemical is hazardous or not, under GHS the level of hazard (how bad it really is) will also be listed.

12 Why? The new label elements and SDS requirements will improve worker understanding of hazards associated with the chemicals in their workplace.

13 Labeling Specific Format Standardized Hazard Classification System Employees must be trained on how to read and UNDERSTAND the new GHS labeling system.

14 Change Employee Right to Know Is now Employee Right to Understand (Exposure results, written material, etc.)

15 What Must Labels Include?? (6 parts)

16 Pictograms

17 Pictograms FYI: Pictograms are not intended to replace all other hazard identification symbols required by other agencies. Ex. Department of Transportation & Environmental Protection Agency (May continue to see these agencies pictograms)

18 Pictogram Training Employers must provide training to all employees so that they UNDERSTAND the information on the labels

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20 SDS Vs. MSDS Essentially the same purpose (Backbone of employee right to know) SDS format will feature 16 sections in a strict ordering:

21 SDS 16 Sections Section 1) Identification Section 2) Hazard(s) Identification Section 3) Composition/ Information on Ingredients Section 4) First-aid Measures Section 5) Fire-fighting Measures Section 6) Accidental Release Measures Section 7) Handling and Storage Section 9) Physical and Chemical Properties Section 10) Stability and Reactivity Section 11) Toxicological Information Section 12) Ecological Information* Section 13) Disposal Considerations* Section 14) Transport Information* Section 15) Regulatory Information* Section 8) Exposure Controls/ Section 16) Other Information Personal Protection *Note: Since other agencies regulate this information, OSHA will not be enforcing Sections (29 CFR (g)(2)).

22 Level Of Hazard Under GHS manufacturers will have to determine how bad it really is will be listed. Different criteria and numbering system for each hazard ( Oxidizers, Flammable Liquids, Flammable Gasses Etc.) Detailed information on Physical Health hazard classes can be found in 29 CFR , Appendix B- Physical Hazard Criteria

23 Key Obligation SDSs will need to be checked against the older MSDSs to see if there are any new hazards or precautions. WHY??

24 SDS FAQ s Will we have to have two safety data sheets libraries? One for MSDS s and one for SDS s Will I have to archive older MSDS sheets after the change to SDS?

25 Important Dates/ Deadlines Revised Haz-Com Standard Published: March 24, 2012 Manufacturers and distributers have all updated containers and labels by: June 1, 2015

26 Important Dates/ Deadlines Employers provide training on new labeling system by: December 1, 2013 Update written company Haz-Com program to fit GHS criteria by: June 1, 2016

27 Tips for a Smooth Transition 1) have a designated employee in charge of the transition to GHS 2) Make sure your employees, especially those on the front lines unloading material are on the lookout for updated SDSs 3) When a new safety data sheet comes in- have a system in place for comparing it to the earlier version, making note of any relevant changes 4) Plan/ execute training 5) Update your MSDS library/ archive old MSDSs

28 DO NOT WAIT!!!