safety rules and regulations that we know
under the hazard communication standard are now changing
including changes in the Material Safety Data Sheets
labels and warning requirements
OSHA's hazard communication standard
known as hazcom will now integrate
into the United Nations globally harmonized system of classification and
labelling
of chemicals
it will now be known as the hazard communication
any globally harmonized system
or simply the GHS
the purpose of this videos to review the major changes that you're going to see
the GHS or
globally Harmonized System will now require chemical manufacturers to
provide specific criteria
to address health and physical hazards as well as classification of chemical
mixtures
labels will be required to show much more information than before
for example chemical manufacturers and importers must provide a lable that
includes
a signal word a pictogram a hazard statement and precautionary statement for
each
hazard class and category
what we now know as material safety data sheets
are now going to be shortened in name and will be known
simply as safety data sheets or SDS
instead of MSDS
Safety Data Sheets or SDS
will now have a new format
that has 16 specific sections
ensuring consistency in presentation
of important protection information OSHA's hazard communication standard is
designed to ensure that information about chemical hazards
and associated protective measures are disseminated to all workers
this standard has been revised to include the GHS
the major changes you should know right now are hazard classification
this replaces hazard determination hazard classification provides specific criteria
for classification of health and physical hazards
as well as classification of mixtures labels
chemical manufacturers and importers will be required to provide a label
that includes a harmonized signal word pictogram
and hazard statement for each hazard class and category
Safety Data Sheets will now have a specified
16 section format in the new GHS
all chemicals will now be classified into three major hazard groupings
the first and the largest is physical hazards
this includes items like explosives
flammable gases and aerosols flammable solids
gases under pressure self reactive substances that can react violently with
water
and other solid substances that emit a flammable gas when wet
oxidizers like oxygen and hydrogen peroxide
and corrosives which are either strong acids strong bases
or concentrated solutions of certain weak acids or weak bases
they can exist as any state of matter including liquids
solids gases mists or vapors
the next major has a group is health hazards examples of health hazards
include acute toxicity
for example hydrogen cyanide is a highly toxic substance
acute exposure at relatively low doses can result in death
skin corrosions or irritants can cause severe skin burns
and/or eye damage another health hazard is serious
eye damage or eye irritation, then respiratory or skin sensitization
sensitizers can cause severe organ damage or major permanent
functional changes in organ systems, for example the lungs
Germ Cell Mutagenicity. These are chemicals which may cause mutations in
the germ cells of humans
and then these mutations can be transmitted to offspring.
Carcinogens. These are chemicals associated with causing cancers.
Other toxic chemicals that affect the reproductive organs or other specific
organs
and aspiration hazards. The third major hazard grouping is environmental hazards
this is new and OSHA does not have jurisdiction over environmentally toxic
chemicals
the labeling and SDS requirements under GHS
require environmental labeling but OSHA considers this portion of the
standard
non-mandatory as environmental hazards are regulated by the EPA
therefore we will not be concerned with this area it is being mentioned here for
information purposes only.
Let's talk about the Material Safety Data Sheet
or as we know it now the old MSDS. The old MSDS have been found to be less
useful
in many circumstances because it did not contain enough information
the new safety data sheets or SDS will replace the nine part
MSDS with a 16 part document although that
sounds more complicated you'll find that much more information
is being presented in a much better way. The SDS
is product related and although it is not able to provide information that is
specific for any given workplace where the product may be used
the expanded SDS information will include much more data
funneled down into a better document to help us understand the chemicals we are
using
the SDS will enable people to develop an active program of worker protection
measures
including training that is specific to your individual workplace
and to consider any measures that may be necessary to protect the environment.
Information in an SDS also provides a source of information
for other workers such as those involved with the transport of dangerous goods
emergency responders, poison centers,
and finally, consumers. The new standardized SDS format will make
finding hazard and chemical information on the SDS
easier for both employers and employees.
There's no set format to the Material Safety Data Sheet and they can range in
length from one page to 20 or more pages
the new Safety Data Sheet will contain
only 16 headings all SDS will be in the standard format
which will make it easier for all of us to find the information
that we need for our workplace. The SDS headings
sequence and content are similar to many of the items required
by other regulatory organizations. Reviewing the headings give you an idea
of how comprehensive the information will be.
In the new standardized format Safety Data Sheets
the first thing that will be provided is an identification of the product or
chemical.
Next, the hazards within the product will be identified
and the composition or other information will be provided
about ingredients.First aid measures will be discussed as well as fire
fighting measures
and that will be followed by a section that discusses how to handle
accidental releases. Handling and storage is the next category,
and then the eighth category will discuss exposure control
or your personal protection what kind of PPE may be needed when
handling the product. Physical and chemical properties will be explained
followed by the stability and reactivity information and then toxicological
information.
The next three sections ecological information, disposal considerations,
and transport information are not required by OSHA,
but may be included in the safety data sheet, and the last two sections will be
regulatory information and then any other information deemed pertinent
by the manufacturer or an outside regulatory agency.
Here the first two pages of a sample Safety Data Sheet. Note the specific
sections.
All safety data sheets will have the sections or headings in this order and
in this format.
This will make finding specific information much easier.
There is not a standard format for the GHS label.
However, there are required label elements.
The GHS label elements that you see here with an asterisk
have been standardized and are directly related to the hazard level.
The other label elements are defined based on common definitions.
But these three elements, hazard pictograms, signal words, and hazard
statements
are all hazard warnings and are required to be grouped together
on the label. The symbols, signal words, and hazard statements have all been
assigned
to specific hazard categories and classes.
On labels, the GHS system uses only two words:
Danger and Warning are used to inform the chemical user of the severity of the
hazards in the chemical.
The use of just two signal words is used to help simplify warnings
and the labeling system. For example, thinking about the word danger
imagine yourself driving up to an intersection with a stop sign
the signals to the driver that this is a potentially dangerous intersection
and that the driver is required to stop and look before proceeding through the
intersection.
If the signal word on a label is danger, the chemical user should understand that this
is a highly hazardous chemical
and they should stop and become familiar with all the characteristics of the
product before proceeding.
On the other hand, if the label contains the word warning
this is like driving up to an intersection controlled by a yield sign.
The driver can proceed through the intersection with caution as it also has
the potential to be a hazardous intersection.
However, labels that contain the signal word "Warning" indicates that the severity
of hazards of the chemicals
are less than those chemicals classified with the signal word
"Danger." Hazard statements are supposed to give the chemical user additional
information
about the hazard that is depicted in the pictogram. For example,
if you saw the flame pictogram on a label for a flammable liquid
the hazard statement might be "keep away from fire, sparks
and heated services. as stated earlier hazard statements have been standardized
and the chemical manufacturer,
importer, or distributor is responsible for using the appropriate hazard statement or
statements
on the label. The other statements shown are more examples
of standardized hazard statements. Pictograms
are now required. Only eight are required by OSHA,
but a ninth may also be used to indicate environmental hazards.
The labels for hazardous chemicals must contain
one or more of the pictograms to illustrate the hazards of the chemical.
The exclamation mark pictogram, when shown by itself on a label,
is for chemicals that have toxicity levels that are harmful to humans but
are not usually fatal.
This includes chemicals that could be irritants to skin and eyes.
For example, pepper spray is a skin and eye irritant, and many soaps, detergents and
cleaning products like ammonia
and chlorine can be irritants. The exclamation mark pictogram will also be
used to show skin sensitizers,
acute toxicity, narcotic effects, respiratory tract
irritants. Also something that could be hazardous to the ozone layer.
However, this would not be mandatory under OSHA. While the chemical hazards
associated with the exclamation mark pictogram are a concern
and precautions need to be taken they are not as dangerous as the health effects
or hazards associated with the health hazard pictogram.
Health hazard means a chemical that can cause acute or chronic health effects
in exposed personnel. Chemicals like gasoline
benzene, acetone, and products like brake cleaner or anything containing volatile
organic compounds.
will have a health hazard pictogram on the label. When you see the health hazard
pictogram,
the product or chemical will fall under the list of potential health hazards
including the group mentioned earlier. The flame pictogram
indicates the product or chemical has flammable or self-reactive
characteristics
or other hazards as listed here.
This is the pictogram for all gases under pressure.
Don't be fooled by the picture of the cylinder because it covers much more.
This symbol includes all cylinders, propane tanks,
natural gas tanks, refrigerated liquids, and many other products in this category.
The chemical hazards associated with the corrosion pictogram
are skin corrosives and can cause permanent eye and skin damage.
This symbol, one that is seen commonly in the military, is one we don't see very
often in private industry,
unless of course you handle ammunition, explosives and so on.
Oxidizers are symbolized by an "O" with flames on top of the "O".
The skull and crossbones pictogram is for chemicals with acute toxicity effects
that are deadly and could lead to fatality if not handled correctly.
The dead fish and tree symbol signals environmental information.
This is non-mandatory under the OSHA standard as OSHA
does not regulate environmental hazards. As we said before the EPA regulates
environmental hazards
and the chemical manufacturer importer distributor would be required to comply
with EPA regulations
in addition to the OSHA labeling requirements. Here's an example
of the labels you may see under the new GHS rules.
As stated earlier in this presentation there is no standard format required for
the GHS label,
so the information may or may not be in the order presented here.
In fact you can anticipate that most labels will look different from each
other.
The thing you need to keep in mind is that even though labels will look
different,
the information they will be required to list on the label
is the same, and you should understand how to read and used the data presented.
Other items required to be on GHS labels include
precautionary statements. These are phrases that describe
recommended measures that should be taken to minimize
or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to hazardous chemical
or improper storage or handling. The precautionary statements would be the
same on the label
and on the safety data sheet for the product. The product identifier.
This is how the hazardous chemical is identified.
This can be but is not limited to the chemical name,
code number or batch number. The manufacturer, importer or distributor
can decide the appropriate product identifier. The same product identifier
must be both on the label and section one of the safety data sheet.
The supplier identification. The name, address and telephone number must be
provided
on the label. You may also see statements pertaining to any pertinent supplemental
information.
This could be information added at the discretion of the manufacturer or
distributor,
or it might be information required by another regulatory agency.
If a chemical manufacturer, importer or distributor becomes aware of a new
hazard for a chemical they produce,
they have three months to update the label and the safety data sheet for that
product or chemical.
For example if new research finds that a product was recently found to be
carcinogenic, the chemical manufacturer, importer or distributor
will have three months from the time they are aware of the carcinogen health
hazard to change the label
and Safety Data Sheet for the chemical to include the new
health hazard carcinogen information.
This presentation summarizes major modifications of the Hazard
Communication Standard
to the Globally Harmonized System. We are exposed to chemicals
and chemical products every day. You can find them in your workplace,
your home, in schools, hospitals, hotels,
just about everywhere.Exposure to hazardous chemicals is one of the major
hazards in the workplace.
Knowing how to find and understand information on the chemicals around you
will help protect you, your coworkers and your families.
Thanks for watching and have a safe day!