In Harmony

The adoption and implementation of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) into the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) has yet to occur.

OSHA submitted the text for the final rule to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Oct. 25, 2011. The office had up to 90 days to review the rule, but announced an extension of the review period in late January. If approved, the final rule will then be issued. If the rule is not approved, it may be sent back to OSHA for modifications.

The adoption of the GHS is expected to affect millions of employers in nearly every industry across the United States. This article is designed to inform you on the basics of the GHS.

GHS Background
The United Nations created the GHS in the 1990s. The system gave rise to a uniform method of labelling chemicals, defining chemical hazards, communicating those hazards and more.

Prior to the creation of the GHS, countries across the world used multiple systems to communicate the chemical hazards to employees and consumers. The implementation of the GHS into OSHA’s HCS is designed to create safer workplaces.

The GHS will replace the existing material safety data sheets (MSDS) with safety data sheets (SDS). SDS must contain specific information about each chemical in a specified order.

In addition to the switch to the SDS, the GHS introduces new labels, pictograms, hazard classifications and a series of four-digit universal warning codes.

According to “A Guide to The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals,” available on the U.S. Department of Labor’s website, www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/ghs.html#1.1, “The GHS itself is not a regulation or a standard. The GHS document (referred to as ‘The Purple Book’) establishes agreed hazard classification and communication provisions with explanatory information on how to apply the system. The elements in the GHS supply a mechanism to meet the basic requirement of any hazard communication system, which is to decide if the chemical product produced and/or supplied is hazardous and to prepare a label and/or safety data sheet as appropriate. Regulatory authorities in countries adopting the GHS will, thus, take the agreed criteria and provisions and implement them through their own regulatory processes and procedures rather than simply incorporating the text of the GHS into their national requirements. The GHS document thus provides countries with the regulatory building blocks to develop or modify existing national programs that address classification of hazards and transmittal of information about those hazards and associated protective measures. This helps to ensure the safe use of chemicals as they move through the product life cycle from ‘cradle to grave.’”
 

GHS Hazards
The GHS classifies chemicals based on physical, health and environmental standards. Criteria for those hazards are:

Physical Hazards – Physical hazards are reactions that occur if chemicals are handled or stored improperly. Reactions can result in a fire, explosion and/or toxic gas release. The 14 GHS physical classifications are:

• Self-reactive;
• Organic peroxides;
• Flammable solids;
• Corrosive to metal;
• Oxidizing solids;
• Oxidizing liquids;
• Flammable liquid;
• Self-heating;
• Pyrophoric;
• Gases under pressure;
• Oxidizing gases;
• Flammable aerosols;
• Flammable gases; and
• Explosives.

Health Hazards – Health hazards are chemicals creating acute or chronic health effects that can damage eyes, lungs, skin or mucous membranes. All chemical materials can cause health problems under the wrong conditions. The nine categories of chemical health hazards are:

• Acute toxicity;
• Skin corrosion;
• Eye effects;
• Germ cell mutagenicity;
• Carcinogenicity;
• Reproductive toxicity;
• Sensitization;
• Target organ systemic toxicity; and
• Aspiration hazard.

Environmental Hazards – The following is a list of the GHS environmental hazards. It is important for employees to know the different hazards chemicals present to the environment:

• Hazardous to aquatic environments;
• Acute aquatic toxicity;
• Chronic aquatic toxicity;
• Bioaccumulation potential; and
• Rapid degradability.

GHS Labels
The GHS features a labeling program that includes standardized pictograms, signal words and hazard statements. The elements of the GHS label are:

• Product name – A product identifier is used on a GHS label and matches the product identifier on the SDS.
   
• Symbol – The GHS label for a substance includes the chemical identity of the substance. The Competent Authority rules for confidential business information (CBI) take priority over the rules for product identification.
• Signal word – The signal word indicates the relative degree of severity of a hazard. The signal words used in the GHS are “Danger” for the more severe hazards and “Warning” for the less severe hazards. Signal words are standardized and assigned to the hazard categories within endpoints. Some lower level hazard categories do not use signal words. Only one signal word corresponding to the class of the most severe hazard should be used on a label.
   
• Hazard statement – Hazard statements are standardized and assigned phrases that describe the hazard(s) as determined by hazard classification. Each hazard statement is a designated code starting with the letter H and followed by three digits.
   
• Supplemental information – Supplemental label information is nonharmonized information on the container of a hazardous product that is not required or specified under the GHS.
  
  
• Precautionary measures – Measures to minimize or prevent adverse effects. They are identified by a four-digit code.
   
• First-aid statements – First aid for contact with the chemical.
   
• Name and address of company – The contact information for the chemical producer.
   
• Pictograms/symbols – The GHS symbols are incorporated into pictograms for use on the GHS label. Pictograms include the harmonized hazard symbols plus other graphic elements, such as borders, background patterns or colors which are intended to convey specific information.
   
• Telephone number – The phone number for the supplier.

GHS SYMBOLS
The GHS replaces the seven existing orange and black square symbols with nine new diamond symbols. For all instances except transportation, these symbols feature a black image, white background and red frame. For transportation these symbols feature backgrounds of varying color schemes to provide greater hazard identification.

SAFETY DATA SHEETS
Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to obtain or develop safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical they produce or import.

Distributors are responsible for ensuring that their customers are provided a copy of safety data sheets. Employers must have an SDS for each hazardous chemical they use. An SDS is specifically aimed at use in the workplace. An SDS provides comprehensive information about the chemical product that allows employers and workers to obtain concise, relevant and accurate information that can be put in perspective with regard to the hazards, uses and risk management of the chemical product in the workplace. An SDS contains 16 sections:

1. Identification;
2. Hazard(s) identification;
3. Information on composition and ingredients;
4. First-aid measures;
5. Fire-fighting measures;
6. Accidental release measures;
7. Handling and storage;
8. Personal protection and exposure control;
9. Physical and chemical properties;
10. Stability and reactivity;
11. Toxicological information;
12. Ecological information;
13. Disposal considerations;
14. Transport information;
15. Regulatory information; and
16. Other information.

“The GHS states in Chapter 1.4, Section1.4.9, the importance of training all target audiences to recognize and interpret label and/or SDS information, and to take appropriate action in response to chemical hazards,” according to “A Guide to The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals.” The document also states, “Training requirements should be appropriate for and commensurate with the nature of the work or exposure. Key target audiences include workers, emergency responders and also those responsible for developing labels and SDSs. To varying degrees, the training needs of additional target audiences have to be addressed. These should include training for persons involved in transport and strategies required for educating consumers in interpreting label information on products that they use.”

The author is a safety writer and researcher for Tempe, Ariz.-based Safety Services Co., a supplier of safety training materials in North America. More information about the safety solutions the company offers is available at www.safetyservicescompany.com. More information on the GHS is available by contacting mrich@safetyservicescompany.com.