Search

How Will OSHA’s Adoption of the GHS Affect HazCom Training Programs?

Posted on 5/1/2012 by James Griffin

On March 26, 2012, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) completed a years-long effort to incorporate the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Chemical Classification and Labeling into the Hazard Communication (HazCom) Standard. In addition to many changes to hazard criteria, this rule significantly revises labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs). The new regulations also call for complete retraining across the board.
 
The Hazard Communication Standard
Under HazCom, employers must ensure that their employees are made aware of all hazardous chemicals in the workplace, so that they can take reasonable precautions to protect themselves. Typically, HazCom requires a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) on file for each hazardous chemical in the workplace and a warning label on every container of hazardous chemicals. [29 CFR 1910.1200(a)(1)]
As part of the GHS revisions, new hazards were added to the HazCom Standard, such as simple asphyxiants, pyrophoric gases, combustible dusts, and hazards not otherwise classified (HNOC). [29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(ii)]
 
The HazCom Standard also requires employers to train employees to understand the hazards represented by SDSs and labels. [29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1)] Therefore, as part of the GHS initiative, OSHA is calling for employers to retrain all employees so that they understand the new system.
 
New Rules, New Training
Because the new regulation is a major overhaul of the HazCom Standard, all employees must be trained on the new rules by December 1, 2013. [29 CFR 1910.1200(j)(1)] While still part of a lengthy phase-in period, this deadline is sooner than OSHA originally proposed. Much of this training will focus on identifying and understanding the new symbols on hazard labels and the new systematic Safety Data Sheets.
 
Chemical manufacturers must update the Safety Data Sheets and hazard labels for their products by June 1, 2016. This is also the deadline for employers to address any newly identified workplace chemical hazards in their training plans. [29 CFR 1910.1200(j)(3)]
 
OSHA encourages employers to begin using the GHS HazCom Standard as soon as practicable, in order to fully transition to the new system before the December 1, 2013 deadline.
 
To help employers nationwide meet this training deadline and prepare their facilities for the coming changes, Lion offers a Hazard Communication Online Course. This 2-hour online course reflects OSHA adoption of the GHS, including training on new classification criteria, labeling standards, reading and understanding the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) format, recognizing pictograms, and understanding newly regulated hazards like combustible dust and “hazards not-otherwise-classified.”
 

Tags: GHS, HazCom, new rules, osha, training

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

More thorough than a class I attended last year through another company.

Troy Yonkers

HSES Representative

These are the best commercial course references I have seen (10+ years). Great job!

Ed Grzybowski

EHS & Facility Engineer

The instructor was very very informative, helpful, understandable and pleasant. This course answered many questions I had, being new to this industry.

Frances Mona

Shipping Manager

I think LION does an excellent job of any training they do. Materials provided are very useful to my day-to-day work activities.

Pamela Embody

EHS Specialist

We have a very busy work schedule and using Lion enables us to take the course at our own time. It makes it easy for me to schedule my employees' training.

Timothy Mertes

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Lion's course was superior to others I have taken in the past. Very clear in the presentation and the examples helped to explain the content presented.

George Bersik

Hazardous Waste Professional

Lion's online training is more comprehensive, has better slides, and is a superior training experience than what I would get from other trainers.

Robert Brenner

District Environmental Manager

I attended training from another provider and learned absolutely nothing. Lion is much better. Hands down.

Nicole Eby

Environmental Specialist

Lion is at the top of the industry in compliance training. Course content and structure are updated frequently to make annual re-training enjoyable. I like that Lion has experts that I can contact for 1 year after the training.

Caroline Froning

Plant Chemist

One of the best trainings I have ever received!

Brandon Morfin

EH&S Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Get to know the top 5 changes to OSHA’s revised GHS Hazard Communication Standard at 29 CFR 1910.1200 and how the updates impacts employee safety at your facility.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.