Hazcom or Hazard Communication is changing and evolving to a new standard. The Globally Harmonized Standard or GHS is slowly integrating across many countries to have one set of rules and codes for working with and around hazardous materials. The streamlined effort will allow hazardous chemicals to be quickly shipped across borders, without unnecessary delays due converting the containers from one standard to another.
Hazcom or Hazard Communication is changing and evolving to a new standard. The Globally Harmonized Standard or GHS is slowly integrating across many countries to have one set of rules and codes for working with and around hazardous materials. The streamlined effort will allow hazardous chemicals to be quickly shipped across borders, without unnecessary delays due converting the containers from one standard to another.
Safety is the top priority for Hazard Communication and that focus has not changed for the Globally Harmonized Standard. Workers will be safer on the job due to many countries adopting the same standard. This allows for global commerce and an increased efficiency to reduce the number of people that need to handle the material.
The labels that denote the hazards faced will receive a uniform style to ensure workers are quickly able to identify the proper warnings and take the necessary precautions. The prior labels could vary between manufacturers of the same chemical. The inconsistent labels led to worker confusion. One container could be labeled very flammable while another from a different manufacturer would be labeled highly flammable. The difference was subtle, and unnecessary. The new mandates require the chemical manufacturers to follow a set classification process and utilize the established labels to remain uniform with the rest of the industry.
The Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are also changing to be Safety Data Sheets (SDS). The name change also comes with a change in the order that the information must be presented. The prior standard allowed for manufacturers to place certain information, but allowed the manufacturer to dictate the order the information was presented. GHS will set the order the information is presented so workers will be able to quickly reference the needed information regardless of the manufacturer.
Click hereto contact a Certified Industrial Hygienist to help your company with updating to the Globally Harmonized Standard adopted by OSHA. The new regulations will help create a safer work environment for all employees at the facility. Hazard Communication continues to raise the bar and has announced there will be ongoing revisions and updates to further increase safety in the future. The Certified Industrial Hygienist can keep your company in compliance moving forward by leading the HazCom initiative at your company. The workers need to understand the hazards they face on a daily basis to help keep them and other workers safe while working with and around hazardous materials.
Occupational Health Overcomes Everyday Hazards
Many workers face different types of hazards on a daily basis. Each company has a responsibility to proactively protect their employees from hazards encountered in the workplace. Accidents or injuries can bring production to a halt, reduce the workforce while the employee is recovering and lead to costly worker compensation claims. A Certified Industrial Hygienist can help your company improve the Occupational Health present at your facility.
The Risk from Asbestos
Asbestos poses a major health risk in many office buildings and homes due to the wide adoption and usage of asbestos as an insulator in the construction process. Asbestos can be found in the glue beneath vinyl flooring or in material applied to concrete to regulate the temperature between floors in an office building. These buildings and homes are being remodeled and modernized as an update to the space, but the demolition process can be hazardous if asbestos is present. Test for asbestos prior to starting your next remodeling project to ensure workers are safe.
Communicating the Dangers with HazCom
Hazard Communication focuses on explaining the dangers present at the workplace. The employees have a right to understand the hazards present and how to remain safe on the jobsite. A Certified Industrial Hygienist can work with your company to fulfill the HazCom requirement set forth by OSHA.
