Hazard Communication/Right-To-Know Standard Final Rule

New changes to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard are bringing the United States into alignment with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), further improving safety and health protections for America’s workers.  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 Hazard Communication Standard in 1983 gave the workers the ‘right to know’, but the new Globally Harmonized System gives workers the ‘right to understand’.

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.

Major changes to the Hazard Communication Standard:

•  Hazard classification: Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to determine the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import.  Hazard classification under the new, updated standard provides specific criteria to address health and physical hazards as well as classification of chemical mixtures.
• Labels: Chemical manufacturers and importers must provide a label that includes a signal word, pictogram, hazard statement, and precautionary statement for each hazard class and category.
• Safety Data Sheets: The new format requires 16 specific sections, ensuring consistency in presentation of important protection information.
• Information and training: To facilitate understanding of the new system, the new standard requires that workers be trained by December 1, 2013 on the new label elements and safety data sheet format, in addition to the current training requirements.

• * This date coincides with the European Union implementation date for classification of mixtures.

We at John W. Furrh Associates watch over all of our client’s needs. This notice is an update to the very new requirements for your compliance needs. We are making the necessary changes to our services, training, written Hazcom Program, Safety Data Sheets and labeling requirements. We will be changing everything in the very near future. Your transition to the rule will be on time and without worry about the changes.

• New maintenance & testing requirements
• Revised certification/notification requirements
• Change of owner/operator notification
• Compliance testing company requirements

Download the Fact Sheet here.

]]> http://www.johnwfurrhassociates.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=28 5 http://www.johnwfurrhassociates.com/blog/?p=23 http://www.johnwfurrhassociates.com/blog/?p=23#comments Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:44:10 +0000 admin http://www.johnwfurrhassociates.com/blog/?p=23 Continue reading →]]> According to ANSI Z535 and OSHA 1910.145 safety signs are required to indicate and define specific hazards that, without identification, may lead to injury or death. Select your signs with the header that indicates the degree of hazard in your application.

• Use DANGER to indicate an immediate hazard which has a high probability to cause severe injury or death.
• Use WARNING to indicate a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, can result in serious injury or death.
• Use CAUTION to indicate a potentially hazardous situation which may result in minor or moderate injury, but not death.
• Use NOTICE to provide general information needed to avoid confusion.
• THINK & SAFETY FIRST These and similar headings are used with information about housekeeping, first aid, health, medical equipment, sanitation and general safety.

Many companies often have visitors who enter and exit the facility. Also, non-employees come on-site to repair machines, equipment and to perform routine maintenance along with janitorial work. Occasionally, employees’ family members and sales representatives stop by.

Just a short time away from a work station can leave an employee’s equipment and materials vulnerable to being stolen or permit observation and information gathering. Does your company have a plan in place? It’s important to establish policies and procedures for visitors that will lessen security risks.

Company Security controls

• Is there visitor/client sign in/out?
• Are visitor(s)/client(s) escorted?
• Are identification badges used?
• Are emergency phone numbers posted?
• Are there internal procedures for conflict (problem) situations?
• Are parking lots well-lit?
• Are security guards used at the facility?
• If no, has consideration been given to the local law enforcement response capability?

Training

• Has training been conducted?
• Does training include:
• Components of facility security program?
• Work practice controls instituted at the workplace?
• Techniques to use in potentially violent situations?
• How to anticipate/read behavior?
• Procedures to follow after an incident?
• Recognizing abuse/paraphernalia?

Floor plan, evacuation plan

• Are evacuation plans current?
• Are floor plans posted showing exits, entrances, location of security equipment, etc?

In addition, DOT mandates that certain companies have a Written Security Plan and do specific training. The most common reason a company would qualify under DOT is by: Offering for shipment or the transport of a quantity of hazardous material that requires placarding (1001 lbs or more).

For more information please contact us at 508-824-4939.