Key Questions
The following key questions are answered in this module:
What OSHA standards relate to hazard communication?
Hazard Communication 1994 and Hazard Communication 2012 (Hazard Communication 1994 is being phased out).
- https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/hazcom_regtext_1994.html
- https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10099
What's the primary difference between Hazard Communication 1994 and Hazard Communication 2012?
Hazard Communication 2012 was "aligned" with the United Nation's Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
What is the Globally Harmonized System (GHS)?
An attempt to standardize the chemical labeling systems used throughout the entire world. See this page from OSHA for more. https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/global.html
What is the purpose of the Hazard Communication standard?
To help workers know the hazards of the chemicals they work with and therefore work with those chemicals safely.
What are the key elements of Hazard Communication 2012?
There are labeling requirements, a new safety data sheet, and training requirements.
What are the new required GHS-compliant label elements for Hazard Communication 2012?
GHS-compliant shipping labels must include a product identifier, supplier identification, precautionary statements, hazard pictograms, signal word, hazard statement. Labels may also include supplemental information.
What are the nine GHS-compliant hazard pictograms?
Health hazard, flame, exclamation mark (for "less hazardous" health hazards), gas cylinder (gas under pressure), corrosion, exploding bomb (for explosives and self reactives), flame over circle (for oxidizers), skull and crossbones (for acute toxicity), and environment (not mandatory for OSHA regulations but other regulators may require it).