New components of OSHA's hazard communication standard will soon come into effect

November 24th, 2015 by Dakota Software Staff Industry News

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's switch to the current form of its Hazard Communication Standard had an especially widespread impact on businesses in the U.S. The vast majority of organizations that handle hazardous or otherwise dangerous chemicals and substances during the course of their operations had to adapt to the initial changes, which were set into motion in 2012. Subsequent years have seen additional rules come into effect as the standard continues to roll out, with the last major implementation scheduled for June 2016. Dec. 1, 2015, also signals a major shift for distributors, and the six-month period between the activation dates for the final two components of the standard is a critical one in terms of EHS compliance.

Moving past old labeling standards
Dec. 1 is the deadline for distributor compliance with OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard and its enforced adoption of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. Manufacturers were supposed to switch to the new GHS labeling scheme by June 1, 2015, with a six-month transition period in place to facilitate the transport and use of the last batches of chemicals and related substances labeled under OSHA's previous standard.

Going forward, distributors may no longer ship products from manufacturers that lack GHS labeling. If businesses don't comply, they could face fines and other penalties. Distributors and wholesalers need to reach a level of preparedness where switching to the new standard will be a relatively pain-free and successful experience, and they need to do so quickly.

Updates and training needed
Beyond labeling and distribution requirements and related considerations, Material Handling & Logistics provided a reminder about new training and education requirements. The GHS format for safety data sheets is seen as more comprehensive and easier for individuals to understand, but staff still need to learn about this new system and how to understand all relevant components. While the revised HCS doesn't lay out specific rules for training employees, it includes a requirement for businesses to do so. Automotive service industry news site Carwash highlighted the right to know aspect of the rule, which requires education about chemicals used in the workplace as well as training centered on understanding GHS labels. No matter what industry or market a business operates in, it must use the six months remaining until the final OSHA HCS deadline to make sure staff and operations all comply with the new regulations.