Herman Jett Area Manager CalOSHA Consultation Services for

Herman Jett Area Manager Cal/OSHA Consultation Services for Los Angeles and Orange Counties 1 Centerpointe Drive Suite 150 La Palma, CA 90623

Globally Harmonized System (GHS) A Worldwide System for Hazard Communication

What is the GHS? • The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) is an international approach to hazard communication, providing agreed criteria for classification of chemical hazards, and a standardized approach to label elements and safety data sheets

Why? (cont. ) • Countries with systems have different requirements for hazard definitions as well as information to be included on a label or material safety data sheet. • For example, a product may be considered flammable or toxic in one country, but not in another to which it is being shipped.

Why does the US need it? • US Regulatory agencies regulations are not domestically harmonized—each Agency has pursued independent regulations that differ from each other • Domestic producers have to classify and label multiple times for the same product AFFECTED AGENCIES • • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-Pesticides Program Department of Transportation-Hazardous Materials Reg. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Principles Of Harmonization § Protections will not be reduced; comprehensibility will be key. § All types of chemicals will be covered; will be based on intrinsic properties (hazards) of chemicals. § All regulatory systems will have to be changed.

GHS Why Now? • Non-uniform communication • Varying degrees of safety implementation • High cost of compliance for international companies • No classification of chemical hazards • Need for greater consistency

International Mandate • An international mandate to harmonize was proposed at the United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development (UNCED) in 1992 in Brazil: – A globally-harmonized hazard classification and compatible labeling system, including material safety data sheets and easily understandable symbols, should be available, if feasible, by the year 2000. – Adopted by the UN 2002.

What is Changing? Uniformity-Oriented Approach • Classification of Hazardous Materials • Required Chemical Information • Use of signal words, pictograms, and hazard warning Terminology • “Hazard Determination” is now “Hazard Classification” • “Evaluate” is now “Classify” • “MSDS” is now “SDS”

The GHS Elements Classification Criteria – Health and Environmental Hazards – Physical Hazards – Mixtures Hazard Communication – Labels – Safety Data Sheets

Classification Criteria. Health/Environmental Hazards Acute Toxicity Skin Corrosion/Irritation Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation Respiratory or Skin Sensitization Germ Cell Mutagenicity Carcinogenicity Reproductive Toxicity Target Organ Systemic Toxicity/Single and Repeated Dose Hazardous to the Aquatic Environment

Classification Criteria. Physical Hazards Explosives Flammability – gases, aerosols, liquids, solids Oxidizers – liquid, solid, gases Self-Reactive Pyrophoric – liquids, solids Organic Peroxides Corrosive to Metals Gases Under Pressure Water-Activated Flammable Gases

Hazard Statements § A single harmonized hazard statement for each level of hazard within each hazard class § Example: Flammable liquids • • Category 1: Extremely flammable liquid and vapour Category 2: Highly flammable liquid and vapour Category 3: Flammable liquid and vapour Category 4: Combustible liquid

Key Label Elements Product identifier Supplier identifier Chemical identity Hazard pictograms* Signal words* Hazard statements* Precautionary information *Standardized

Role of the SDS in the GHS The SDS should provide comprehensive information about a chemical substance or mixture. § Primary Use: The Workplace § Employers and workers use the SDS as a source of information about hazards and to obtain advice on safety precautions. §

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) • As of June 1, 2015, the HCS will require new SDSs to be in a uniformat, and include the section numbers, the headings, and associated information under the headings. • Section 1, Identification includes product identifier; manufacturer or distributor name, address, phone number; emergency phone number; recommended use; restrictions on use. • Section 2, Hazard(s) identification includes all hazards regarding the chemical; required label elements. • Section 3, Composition/information on ingredients includes information on chemical ingredients; trade secret claims. • Section 4, First-aid measures includes important symptoms/ effects, acute, delayed; required treatment. • Section 5, Fire-fighting measures lists suitable extinguishing techniques, equipment; chemical hazards from fire. • Section 6, Accidental release measures lists emergency procedures; protective equipment; proper methods of containment and cleanup. • Section 7, Handling and storage lists precautions for safe handling and storage, including incompatibilities.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) • Section 8, Exposure controls/personal protection lists OSHA's Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs); Threshold Limit Values (TLVs); appropriate engineering controls; personal protective equipment (PPE • Section 9, Physical and chemical properties lists the chemical's characteristics. • Section 10, Stability and reactivity lists chemical stability and possibility of hazardous reactions. • Section 11, Toxicological information includes routes of exposure; related symptoms, acute and chronic effects; numerical measures of toxicity. • Section 12, Ecological information* ; Section 13, Disposal considerations* • Section 14, Transport information* ; Section 15, Regulatory information* • Section 16, Other information, includes the date of preparation or last revision. • *Note: Since other Agencies regulate this information, OSHA will not be enforcing Sections 12 through 15(29 CFR 1910. 1200(g)(2).

What does this mean to you in the future? • Integration of all new SDS • Updating the hazard communication program • Retraining of all employees • Changes in record-keeping • Inventory update • Record retention