Update 4/15/21: OSHA has extended the comment period by 30 days for the proposed HazCom Standard update. Members of the public are encouraged to submit their comments by
May 19, 2021.
Original Article Text:
On February 16, OSHA proposed to
update its Hazard Communication (HazCom) Standard and harmonize US rules with the seventh edition of the Globally Harmonized System for Classifying and Labeling Chemicals (GHS).
Proposed updates to the HazCom Standard include:
- Revised criteria for certain health and physical hazards;
- Revised provisions for updating labels ;
- New labeling provisions for small containers;
- Technical amends to Safety Data Sheet contents; and
- Revised definitions for some key terms.
OSHA will accept public comments on the proposed HazCom rulemaking until April 19, 2021.
It's been nearly a decade since OSHA incorporated the GHS hazard classification criteria, labeling requirements, and Safety Data Sheet format into the HazCom Standard at 29 CFR 1910.1200 in 2012. Since then, the international hazard communication rules have continued to evolve. Now, OSHA will bring the US up to date.
Read the full proposed rule here.
Lion Members: A more detailed breakdown of what OSHA proposed was included in a recent Member Bulletin.
Need a Refresher on GHS Hazard Communication?
Check out our
5 Must-Know Changes to the HazCom Standard whitepaper, created for safety professionals adjusting to OSHA's adoption of GHS hazard criteria, labels, and SDSs.
Lion's
Hazard Communication Online Course is designed to help satisfy OSHA's HazCom training mandate for employees who work around hazardous chemicals. The course covers the latest OSHA requirements and will be updated to reflect any critical changes OSHA makes to the HazCom rules in 2021.