The March 22, 2012 (Volume 11, Issue 7) of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration‘s (OSHA) “QuickTakes” anounced “OSHA Aligns HazardCommunication Standard with the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System ofClassification and Labeling of Chemicals.”  This announcement has been awaited by the environmental, industrial hygiene, and safety industry for some time now.  The QuickTakes discusses the March 20 press teleconference hosted by Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis joined by Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels announcing the final rule updating OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard.



Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) pictogram for corrosive substances (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The purpose of the revision is to align the standard with the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.  The standard should better protect workers and help American businesses compete in a global economy.
Assistant Secretary Michaels explained that
OSHA’s revised Hazard Communication standard (HCS), which will be fully
implemented in 2016, benefits workers by reducing confusion in the workplace,
facilitating safety training, and improving understandings of hazards,
especially for low-wage and limited-literacy workers. The harmonized standard
will classify chemicals according to their health and physical hazards, and
establish consistent labels and safety data sheets (SDS) for all chemicals made in
the United States or imported from abroad.  For more information, listen to an
audio-recording of the press conference and see the press
release.

Employers must train
workers on the new label elements and SDS format by December 1, 2013.
Chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors, and employers must comply with
all modified provisions of the final rule by June 1, 2015.  However, distributors may ship
products labeled by manufacturers under the old system until December 1, 2015.  By June 1, 2016,
employers must update alternative workplace labeling and hazard communication
programs as necessary, and provide additional worker training for new identified
physical and health hazards.  During this transition period, all chemical
manufacturers, importers, distributors, and employers may comply with either 29
CFR 1910.1200 (this final standard), or the current standard, or both.