The Premier Resource for Environmental, Health, and Safety Training Solutions

1. The Premier Resource for Environmental, Health, and Safety Training Solutions

2. GHS:Globalize Your Communication

3. Introduction Millions of people have no problem reading this sign… but what if you’re not one of them? What if this was information you needed?

4. Introduction Even worse, if your safety depended on understanding the warning on the left, would you know what to do?

5. Introduction How about now? When information is critical, it’s important that everyone finds it clear and easy to understand. That’s the idea behind the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (or GHS).

6. Introduction Around the world, raw materials travel back and forth across borders, and some of those materials are potentially hazardous. To stay safe, it’s critical that workers who come in contact with these chemicals understand how to handle them safely regardless of where they came from.

7. Introduction More than ever, we live in a global economy and much of that world economy is built around the use of chemicals. In the United States alone, 650,000 chemicals in the workplace are classified as hazardous, and from their production, to their use and transport, they pose a risk to workers and the environment.

8. Introduction The challenge is to keep these workers well-informed and safe. Until recently, in the United States and around the world, various agencies met this challenge by developing their own Hazard Communication procedures. But these various systems of classifying and labeling chemicals were often in conflict with each other.

9. Introduction For example, a substance with Acute Oral Toxicity at this level (Acute Oral Toxicity LD50 = 257 mg/kg/day) could be labeled anything from Toxic or Harmful, to Not Dangerous or Non-Toxic, depending on the country it was produced in.

10. Introduction In addition, Material Safety Data Sheets and container labels, the primary means of relaying this information, could vary so much in layout and design from country to country that they often added to the confusion, making mistakes more likely. Fortunately, the recent introduction of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals is changing all of that.

11. What is the GHS? With the help of the United States and many other countries, the United Nations developed the GHS to ensure that the handling instructions for hazardous chemicals are clear and easily understood worldwide.

12. What is the GHS? The GHS is a non-binding agreement, meaning it’s up to each country to decide whether they will adopt it and how it will be implemented. Acceptance has been widespread, however, and countries around the world are either using the system or are in the process of phasing it in.

13. What is the GHS? For countries like the United States, transitioning to a new standard has meant retooling a sophisticated regulatory process that’s already in place, but the benefits have made it worth the effort.

14. What is the GHS? Not only does adopting the GHS allow U.S. companies to remain competitive around the world, but, more importantly, it increases safety for workers. In the United States alone, OSHA estimates that the GHS will prevent 43 fatalities and 585 injuries and illnesses annually.

15. What is the GHS? To allow for a smoother transition, in the United States rolling out the new system will take several years. As a worker who will be affected by the changes, there are several dates that have been set by OSHA that you should be aware of: • By December 1st, 2013 employers must train workers on the new label elements and SDS format.

16. What is the GHS? To allow for a smoother transition, in the United States rolling out the new system will take several years. As a worker who will be affected by the changes, there are several dates that have been set by OSHA that you should be aware of: • By June 1st, 2015 chemical manufacturers, importers distributors, and employers must comply with al l the GHS-based changes to the OSHA standard, although distributors have until… • December 1st, 2015 before they must discontinue shipping any chemical products that do not have GHS labels.

17. What is the GHS? To allow for a smoother transition, in the United States rolling out the new system will take several years. As a worker who will be affected by the changes, there are several dates that have been set by OSHA that you should be aware of: • Finally, by June 1st, 2016, employers must update alternative workplace labeling and hazard communication programs as necessary, and provide additional worker training for newly identified physical and health hazards.

18. What is the GHS? What does the GHS look like? The system standardizes two critical areas of Hazard Communication: how hazardous chemicals are classified and the methods used to communicate those hazards.

19. What is the GHS? Breaking it down further, there are three types of hazards – physical, health, and environmental. And, there are two types of communication: labels and safety data sheets (more about those later).

20. What is the GHS? Under physical hazards there are sixteen categories, ten categories under health hazards, and environmental hazards has two. While we won’t spend time on each of the twenty eight categories here, it’s worth emphasizing that the chemicals that fit into this list can be very dangerous.

21. What is the GHS? Obviously, anyone handling hazardous chemicals must make sure they know what they’re doing to avoid injuring themselves and others. Fortunately, whether a chemical puts you at risk for physical hazards, health hazards, or both, you can protect yourself, and for every chemical classified as hazardous at your worksite, the information you need to stay safe is available to you.

22. GHS Labels When it comes to information about hazardous chemicals, container labels provide a sort of “first-line-of-defense.”

23. GHS Labels At the source of potential contact with a chemical, a container label provides important information about how to handle that chemical safely. While they’re not as informative as Safety Data Sheets, it’s critical that an appropriate identifying label is affixed to any container that holds hazardous chemicals.

24. GHS Labels Prior to the GHS, these hazard labels often differed in design from country to country and even within the United States depending on which regulating agency had jurisdiction. This wide variety of label designs only increased the possibility for confusion and risky mistakes.

25. GHS Labels Fortunately, the GHS has simplified interpreting the hazard information on labels by standardizing three key label components: symbols, signal words, and hazard statements. Under this system, no matter where a chemical originates from, the same words and symbols are always applied to a specific hazard classification.

26. GHS Labels When looking at a GHS label, the first thing you’re likely to notice is the symbol, which is also called a hazard pictogram – this is a graphic representation of the type of hazard present. On container labels in the workplace, pictograms are in the shape of a white diamond and have a red border. Depending on the hazard, one of nine possible black symbols appears in the center.

27. GHS Labels Among the possible hazards that may be represented by these symbols: oxidizers, flammables, explosives, acute toxicity, corrosives, gases under pressure, carcinogen, environmental toxicity, and irritant. An entirely separate set of pictograms is used for the transport of hazardous materials.

28. GHS Labels An entirely separate set of pictograms is used for the transport of hazardous materials. More varied in design, they convey a shipped product’s potential hazards through symbols, numbers, colors, and background patterns.

29. GHS Labels Signal Words are the second element on a GHS label, and are used to indicate a hazard’s relative level of severity. There are only two signal words – “danger” and “warning.” “Danger” is used for more severe hazards. “Warning” is used for hazards that are less severe. Some lower level hazards don’t use any signal words.

30. GHS Labels Signal Words are the second element on a GHS label, and are used to indicate a hazard’s relative level of severity. There are only two signal words – “danger” and “warning.” “Danger” is used for more severe hazards. “Warning” is used for hazards that are less severe. Some lower level hazards don’t use any signal words.

31. GHS Labels Hazard Statements are the third element on a GHS label. These standard phrases are assigned to specific hazards, based on their class and category. Their purpose is to briefly describe the nature and degree of the hazard.

32. GHS Labels Though the GHS doesn’t specify the label’s actual layout, these three standardized elements – pictograms, signal words and hazard statements – should always be located together.

33. GHS Labels Precautionary Statements describe the recommended measures that should be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects from hazardous chemicals. In other words, they amount to a briefly worded list of best work practices, such as: “Do not allow contact with air”; “Avoid breathing fumes”; “Keep in original container”; and “Brush off loose particles from skin.”

34. GHS Labels Precautionary statements cover four areas: prevention, response (in case of accidental spillage or exposure), storage, and disposal.

35. GHS Labels Product Identifier is just that – the chemical identity of the substance and proper shipping name – this should match the product identifier found on the Safety Data Sheet. For mixtures and alloys, the label should include the chemical identities of all hazardous ingredients.

36. GHS Labels Supplier Identification. This is the name, address, and telephone number of the manufacturer or supplier of the substance or mixture.

37. GHS Labels And, finally, Supplemental Information is information not specified or required under the GHS. In some cases this may be additional safety information such as a chemical’s physical state, the routes of exposure, or a hazard not yet incorporated into the GHS.

38. Safety Data Sheets What’s new about the GHS’s safety data sheet? First off, the name. Prior to the GHS, OSHA typically called this document the Material Safety Data Sheet or MSDS. You’ll now see it referred to as the Safety Data Sheet or SDS – but with or without the “M” on front, the document serves the same purpose – it is a chemical’s “fact sheet.”

39. Safety Data Sheets While container labels are an important source of information, Safety Data Sheets go into much greater detail about a chemical’s hazards and how to protect yourself. For this reason, you should consult the safety data sheet for any hazardous chemical you work with.

40. Safety Data Sheets In the past OSHA required certain information on every MSDS, but the format or look of MSDSs was allowed to vary widely. Now, additional information is required and it must be placed within a specific format.

41. Safety Data Sheets The GHS Safety Data Sheet is divided into sixteen categories, and the categories appear in the same order on each document, making information easier to find.

42. Safety Data Sheets What are the categories? Here’s a brief overview of each: 1. Identification of substance and supplier This first section identifies the substance or mixture by product name, lists its recommended uses, and provides the supplier’s contact information, including address and phone number.

43. Safety Data Sheets What are the categories? Here’s a brief overview of each: 2. Hazard(s) identification The next section contains the GHS hazard classification for the substance or mixture, along with hazards not covered by the GHS such as dust explosion. Elements from the container label such as precautionary statements and hazard symbols also appear in this section. (By the way, if you’re familiar with the NFPA/HMIS system of classification you may have noticed a difference here: under the old system, hazardous chemicals were ranked from “1” to “4” with the higher numbers indicating a more severe hazard; under the GHS, however, the classifications go in the opposite direction - level “4” is less hazardous, level “1” more hazardous.)

44. Safety Data Sheets What are the categories? Here’s a brief overview of each: 3. Composition / Information on ingredients In section three, the material’s chemical identity is listed, along with its common name, and such identifiers as its CAS and EC numbers. If the product is a mixture, all hazardous ingredients are listed along with their concentrations.

45. Safety Data Sheets What are the categories? Here’s a brief overview of each: 4. First-aid measures Section four contains information on first-aid procedures. These are broken down by routes of exposure – for example, what should be done if a toxic substance is inhaled is detailed separately from what should be done if the same substance gets into a worker’s eyes or is ingested.

46. Safety Data Sheets What are the categories? Here’s a brief overview of each: 5. Firefighting measures In the next section, appropriate methods and extinguishing agents for fighting fires involving the chemical are listed, along with methods that should be avoided. Also listed: hazards specific to that chemical igniting, such as the release of dangerous gasses, and the protective equipment and precautions that firefighters should use.

47. Safety Data Sheets What are the categories? Here’s a brief overview of each: 6. Accidental release measures Section six details what steps should be taken if an accidental release occurs – any special protective equipment that needs to be donned, the emergency procedures that should be followed, and the methods and materials for containment and clean up.

48. Safety Data Sheets What are the categories? Here’s a brief overview of each: 7. Handling and storage Section seven provides information on handling the chemical safely – critical safety precautions such as “avoid breathing vapor” and “keep chemical away from ignition sources” are found here. Information on storing the chemical safely is also located in this section, including any incompatibility with other stored materials.

49. Safety Data Sheets What are the categories? Here’s a brief overview of each: 8. Exposure controls / personal protection In section eight, safe exposure limits are provided, along with appropriate methods to reduce a worker’s exposure, such as engineering controls and personal protective equipment.

50. Safety Data Sheets What are the categories? Here’s a brief overview of each: 9. Physical and chemical properties Important physical and chemical properties are listed in section nine, including odor threshold, evaporation rate, and flash point.