A new fact sheet has been posted at OSHA.gov regarding the changes for the Hazard Communication Standard.

This will most likely affect the blasting industry most directly in the training of employees on the new updates.

Building on the success of OSHA’s current Hazard Communication Standard, the GHS is expected to prevent injuries and illnesses, save lives and improve trade conditions for chemical manufacturers.

The new hazard communication standard still requires chemical manufacturers and importers to evaluate the chemicals they produce or import and provide hazard information to employers and workers by putting labels on containers and preparing safety data sheets. However, the old standard allowed chemical manufacturers and importers to convey hazard information on labels and material safety data sheets in whatever format they chose. The modified standard provides a single set of harmonized criteria for classifying chemicals according to their health and physical hazards and specifies hazard communication elements for labeling and safety data sheets.

Employers will begin seeing required completion dates starting December 1, 2013.

Fact sheet posted here: https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/HCSFactsheet.html

Call us to see how we can help with the training for your operation on these new issues. 314-241-5333

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