OSHA’s revised Hazard Communication Standard is one of the most sweeping regulations the agency has issued in recent years, and compliance deadlines are approaching.
Published in March 2012, the final rule incorporates the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, commonly known as GHS. The idea behind GHS is to make hazard warnings and labels found on products easier for workers to understand.
The requirements in OSHA’s updated standard will take effect in several phases. The first comes up later this year: All workers who come in contact with hazardous chemicals must be trained by Dec. 1 on the new requirements of the revised standard. Specifically, employees must be trained on the new format of Safety Data Sheets (formerly known as Material Safety Data Sheets) and new labels, which include pictograms and signal words.
Although the compliance date is a few months away, it is best to begin training employees on the new requirements immediately, safety professional Daniel Levine notes. (Read More from Source: SafetyandHealthMagazine.com)