(GHS), AKA HAZCOM 2012: What it Means to You

36 Pages·2013·2.16 MB·English

What it Means to You
Presented by Gary Clemen t - Portland Water District
Defining Terms
• GHS – Global Harmonized System – U.N. sponsored, to
improve safety information through a world wide
compatible chemical classification, labeling, and safety
sheets.
• HCS - Hazard Communication Standard – OSHA’s “Right
to Know” law.
• HAZCOM 2012 – OSHA’ s updated HCS implementing
GHS changes – “Right to Understand”
A Review of the Hazard Communication
Standard (HCS)

• An OSHA Regulation

• Adopted in 1983

• 43+ Million U.S. Workers

• 5 Million Workplaces

• Over 800,000 Chemicals

• 2nd Most Cited Violation In 2012
Lack of training, labeling, access to MSDSs & lacking correct MSDS’s
4
Employer “Must Haves” Under HCS
• Written hazard
communication plan.
• Written chemical inventory.
• Proper use of labels and
warnings.
• Maintain MSDS’s.
• Employee Training.

5
HCS Inconsistencies
• Hazard communications regulations
vary widely internationally
• Classifications that address various
end users vary within countries
• No standard format for MSDS’s
• Users often see different label warnings or MSDS’s
for the same product.
6
The Basics of GHS
• GHS = Globally Harmonized System of
Classification and Labeling of Chemicals
• U.N. Mandated in 1992
• Common & coherent global approach
Definitions
o
Hazard Classifications
o
• Consistent communication
on labels/safety data sheets

• 67 Countries have adopted
GHS.
GHS Overview
• GHS is Not...
- A Regulation.
• GHS is...
- Framework or guidance for
classifying and labeling hazardous chemicals
-Adaptable by Country
• Benefits
- Estimated to prevent 500 injuries and 43 deaths
per year
Will GHS Make Life Better?

- Estimated to prevent 500 injuries and 43 deaths
per year

- Costs per year will total $201 million dollars to
comply with revisions to the HCS.

- Future net benefits are estimated at $556
million dollars per year.
The Three Major Changes

1. Chemical Hazard Classification
2. Labels
3. Safety Data Sheets (SDS’s)
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Chemical Hazard Classifications
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