Safety Notes
SLATE
BY PAT PINKHAM
Moreton & Company
OSHA Updates Chemical Hazard Communication Program
O
SHA’s Chemical Hazard Communication program is designed to protect workers from exposures to hazardous materials that they may be exposed to in the workplace. This program has been adopted by the Idaho Division of Building Safety. In schools, hazardous materials can be found in a wide variety of areas including science laboratories, professional-technical education, and arts classrooms. School staff members including maintenance, custodial, teachers, and bus drivers will routinely be exposed to hazardous materials that are included in the hazard communication standard. OSHA has changed the Hazard Communication Standard to adopt the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. Once implemented, the revised standard will improve the quality and consistency of hazard information, making it safer for workers and students by providing easy to understand information on the appropriate handling and safe use of hazardous chemicals.
GHS Hazard Pictograms
Explosive
Corrosive
Oxidizer
Other changes to be made include standardizing the information contained in Material Data Safety Sheets (MSDS), so that their safety information provided by the material’s manufacturer or supplier is in a uniform order. MSDSs will also have their name changed to “Safety Data Sheets”. The changes to the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard involve changes to the current labeling system. When implemented, labels will use a Globally Harmonized System (GHS) using standard pictographs to describe a substance’s hazards. Labels will also contain: • Precautionary Statements: One or more phrases that describe recommended measures to be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to a hazardous chemical or improper storage or handling of a hazardous chemical. • Signal Words: A signal word used to indicate the relative level of severity of the hazard and alert the reader to a potential hazard on the label. The signal words used are “danger” and “warning.” “Danger” is used for the more severe hazards, while “warning” is used for less severe hazards. • Hazard Statements: A phrase assigned to each hazard category; examples include “harmful if swallowed,” “highly flammable liquid and vapor,” etc. The switch to the GHS of labeling and the uniform order of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) is to be phased in over the next three years, with the first phase involving employee training. The first phase will be completed by December 2013, with complete implementation to be done by June 2015. SafeSchools.com has already developed online training programs on the change over to the GHS labeling requirements, and can be used to comply with OSHA’s training requirements.
ADDITIONAL ONLINE RESOURCE Gas Under Pressure
Aquatic Toxicity
Acute Toxicity
http://dbs.idaho.gov/safety_code/pdfs/301_haz_comm.pdf Please contact Moreton & Company if you have any questions related to the OSHA changes on the Hazard Communication program, the newly adopted GHS labeling system, or how to access and use the SafeSchools online library of school specific safety and loss control training.
Skin Irritant Carcinogen Toxic Respiratory Sensitizer Other Safety Hazard Reproductive Toxicity Mutagen
Flammable
Pat Pinkham or Allan Ranstrom Moreton & Company (800) 332-6789
ISBA
DIAMOND BUSINESS PARTNER
13 / Volume 31 / August 2013
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