OSHA regulations have changed and it is impacting product labeling and Safety Data Sheets. There are two deadlines of which you need to be aware.
June 1, 2015
In May 2012, the US Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) updated the current Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 1994) to align with the Global Harmonization System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. The result of which is the Hazard Communication Standard 2012 (HCS 2012).
HCS 2012 requires an update to Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and product labels by June 1, 2015.
December 1, 2015
All products shipped to end-users must be properly labeled and new Safety Data Sheets by available December 1, 2015. Slide Products has already completed the new labels and Safety Data sheets. You will be seeing the new labels over the next few months.
You can go here to get more detail from the OSHA Fact Sheet.
Per the OSHA fact sheet, below are what OSHA considers to be the major benefits of the new standard.
The new standard covers over 43 million workers who produce or handle hazardous chemicals in more than five million workplaces across the country. The modification is expected to prevent over 500 workplace injuries and illnesses and 43 fatalities annually.
Once fully implemented it will also:
– Improve the quality and consistency of hazard information in the workplace, making it safer for workers to do their jobs and easier for employers to stay competitive;
– Enhance worker comprehension of hazards, especially for low and limited-literacy workers, reduce confusion in the workplace, facilitate safety training, and result in safer handling and use of chemicals;
– Provide workers quicker and more efficient access to information on the safety data sheets;
– Result in cost savings to American businesses of more than $475 million in productivity improvements, fewer safety data sheet and label updates and simpler new hazard communication training: and
– Reduce trade barriers by harmonizing with systems around the world.
Rulemaking background
OSHA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to update the Hazard Communication Standard in September 2009 and held public hearings in March 2010.
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.
Slide Products – Product Labeling
Below is an example of the new content you can expect to see on the label. There are Signal Words, Hazard Statements, Precautionary Statements and pictograms, all designed to help users understand how to properly use and handle the products. Slide Products has also taken an additional step and created bilingual labels. You will now see all critical information in both English and Spanish.
