What is GHS?

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is an international effort developed by the United Nations to create a universal system for chemicals. With chemicals shipping to various countries, the inconsistencies between national and international laws slows commerce and creates potential safety hazards. By creating a universal standard, GHS will help protect workers, consumers, emergency responders, the environment and the public. Clearer chemical hazard identification and communication will also reduce costs and inefficiencies associated with the international trade of chemicals.

OSHA adopts GHS

On March 26, 2012 OSHA published in the Federal Register a final rule revising the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to align with GHS. GHS is not a law. It is a system with specific components countries can adopt into their own regulations.

HCS is the law in the U.S, but alignment with GHS changes HCS in ways that have significant consequences for chemical manufacturers and employers in both countries.

What are the consequences and effects of GHS adoption in HCS?

The most visible changes brought on by GHS for organizations is with safety labels, safety data sheets, and chemical classification. OSHA expects these changes to prevent 43 fatalities and 585 injuries annually in the U.S., with a net savings of over $500 million a year.

GHS adoption will affect everyone in the chemical lifecycle, but most responsibilities will rest with chemical manufacturers and employers that handle, use and store hazardous materials. Chemical manufacturers must reclassify their chemicals using GHS’s standardized classification criteria as well as produce GHS compliant labels and safety data sheets (SDSs).

How much will compliance cost?

Costs of implementation will be associated with the:

  • Reclassification of chemicals
  • Re-authoring of Safety Data Sheets
  • Training of workers on the modified HCS rules as well as the new labelling and SDS elements (12/1/13 deadline)

At Polytron, we have your best interests in mind when it comes to workplace safety and instruction. To help you meet the December 1, 2013 training deadline, we’ve created a specific on-site GHS course that will ensure your employees learn to understand and implement these new standards.

GHS Training

There are 40 million employees spread among the 5 million workplaces in the United States. Many of these employees handle hazardous chemicals on a daily basis. Handling and safety is a top priority, especially for OSHA. The existing fines and penalties for noncompliance with HCS now extend to GHS alignment. HCS violations already rank #3 on OSHA’s Top Ten Violations List. These violations are likely to become even more prominent. To remain compliant, employers must train employees for GHS.

By December 1st of 2013, employees will need to know how to:

  • Read and react to the new labels and data sheets.
  • Manage the influx of new SDSs which will include replacing your entire MSDS library.
  • And, be ready to produce GHS compliant workplace labels.

Polytron’s GHS Training

For the last twelve years, we’ve been helping manufacturing facilities ensure that employees will be capable of handling their new tools for the job by updating them on the latest techniques and requirements. Whether it is for workforce development for equipment, processes, safety or troubleshooting, our training programs provide interactive instruction: We provide the information, but even more importantly, we make sure employees demonstrate they can use their knowledge.

Many manufacturing safety departments are attempting to train employees on the new GHS standards on their own, but they don’t have the time and/or resources necessary for adequate training. They are pulling in as many of the employees as possible into a crowded classroom for a 50-minute lecture or long-distance webinar. These methods of GHS alignment are not working. Employees hear, but they do not understand and they are not taking away usable knowledge.

To help supplement your facility’s safety department, we’ve created a four part, 2-hour series of hands-on workshops that will teach employees about GHS, why it is required, and what they need to do. Your employees will need to make labels and read the new labels for the hazardous chemicals they use. By comparing the old labels with the new labels they create, employees will understand the value and purpose of the new labels before they come into contact with a hazardous chemical.

Our courses are developed to focus on transferring knowledge into action with the goal of creating a safer work environment. You can receive GHS training support that is quick, easy, inexpensive and, most importantly, effective.

GHS Deadlines

  1. December 1, 2013 – Employers must train employees on how to read GHS formatted labels and safety data sheets.
  2. June 1, 2015 – Chemical manufacturers and distributors must complete hazard reclassification and produce GHS styled labels and safety data sheets.
  3. December 1, 2015 – Distributors must comply fully with HCS requirements.
  4. June 1, 2016 – Employers must be in full compliance with revised HCS, including complete training of employees on new hazards and/or revisions to workplace hazard communication program.