To better protect workers from hazardous chemicals, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has revised its Hazard Communication Standard, aligning it with the United Nations' global chemical labeling system.

The United States and many other countries throughout the world have developed a Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The GHS is the culmination of more than a decade of work. After ten years of technical work and negotiation, a United Nations Economic and Social Council Subcommittee adopted the Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labeling ("GHS") and recommended that it be disseminated throughout the world.  By promoting common, consistent criteria for classifying chemicals and developing compatible labeling and safety data sheets, the Globally Harmonized System is intended to enhance public health and environmental protection, as well as reduce barriers to trade.

The implementation of the GHS can have numerous benefits for governments, business and industry, and public interest and labour groups. Implementing the GHS also provides a number of international benefits.  It is anticipated that application of the GHS will:

·         Enhance the protection of human health and the environment by providing an internationally comprehensible system,

·         Provide a recognized framework to develop regulations for those countries without existing systems,

·         Facilitate international trade in chemicals whose hazards have been identified on an international basis,

·         Reduce the need for testing and evaluation against multiple classification systems.

·         The GHS can also support the implementations of the Millennium Development Goals to “ensure environmental sustainability”.

The tangible benefits to governments are:

·         Fewer chemical accidents and incidents,

·         Lower health care costs,

·         Improved protection of workers and the public from chemical hazards,

·         Avoiding duplication of effort in creating national systems,

·         Reduction in the costs of enforcement,

·         Improved reputation on chemical issues, both domestically and internationally.

Benefits to business and industry include:

·         A safer work environment and improved relations with employees,

·         An increase in efficiency and reduced costs from compliance with hazard communication regulations,

·         Application of expert systems resulting in maximizing expert resources and minimizing labor and costs,

·         Expanded use of training programs on health and safety,

·         Reduced costs due to fewer accidents and illnesses,

·         Improved corporate image and credibility.

Benefits to workers and the public include:

·         Improved safety for workers and others through consistent and simplified communications on chemical hazards and practices to follow for safe handling and use,

·         Greater awareness of hazards, resulting in safer use of chemicals in the workplace and in the home.

The purpose of the GHS is to promote common, consistent criteria for classifying chemicals according to their health, physical and environmental hazards, and to encourage the use of compatible hazard labels, material safety data sheets for workers, and other hazard communication information based on the resulting classifications.

Now, OSHA is in the process of adopting these requirements for American workplaces.   The standardization will ultimately be good news for all concerned, facilitating improvements to both efficiency and worker safety. However, in the short term, the implementation of the GHS will require changes in all American workplace hazcom and other safety programs-including new labels and MSDS’s.

You have the right to know about the hazards you may encounter on the job and ways to protect yourself.  The material safety data sheet is a detailed bulletin prepared by the chemical manufacturer and the number one source of information regarding chemicals.  OSHA has developed a basic MSDS form to provide chemical manufacturers with a guideline in preparing MSDS’s.  The following information must be provided on each MSDS.  The information may vary from section to section depending on manufacturer, but it will be shown.

Chemical Identity.  This uses the name that’s on the label.  This section also tells you who makes or sells it and where they’re located.  It may also say when the MSDS was prepared.

Hazardous Ingredients/Identity.  This area lists all hazardous ingredients which have been determined to be health hazards and which comprise 1% or greater of the composition.  Any carcinogenic ingredients which comprise 0.1% of the composition will also be listed.

Physical Data.  This section explains the chemical’s normal appearance and odor.  Anything different should alert you to possible danger.  This also lists all other physical properties of the product:  boiling point, melting point, vapor pressure and density to name a few.

Fire and Explosion Data.  This section gives you the fire hazard risk.  Flash point is the minimum temperature at which a flammable liquid’s vapors could catch fire if they contact a spark or other ignition source.  The lower the number, the higher the risk.  Flammable limits are the minimum and maximum amounts of vapor in the air (%) that can catch fire.  It also gives you information on how to put out the fire.

Reactivity Data.  This tells you what could happen if this particular chemical is combined with other specific chemicals or air or water.  This section also tells if the chemical is stable or unstable and/or if it is incompatible with any other chemicals.

Health Hazard Data.  Tells how this chemical could affect your health—acute or chronic.  Acute happens immediately, for example, if you spill acid on your skin, it burns.  A chronic injury occurs over time—usually years.  For example, inhalation of a chemical day after day, year after year may lead to respiratory problems.  Also shown in this section are:  signs and symptoms of exposure and medical conditions aggravated by exposure.  Chemicals can only enter your body one of three ways:  inhaling, swallowing and through the skin.

Precautions for Safe Handling and Use.  Tells you what to do if there is a spill.

Control Measures.  This section tells you how to protect yourself when you work with the chemical.  What personal protective equipment is required and when to wear it.  This includes:  type of respirator, type of protective gloves, eye protection, and other protective clothing or equipment.  This section also tells what hygienic practices to follow, such as washing after handling or decontamination.

Look around your workplace--how do you store your chemicals?  During inspections, I notice that usually chemicals are stored (or not stored) randomly all over the workplace.  They are left where they were last used or shoved back onto shelves with newer chemicals placed in front of them.  Shelves are overcrowded and workers have to move stuff around to reach the required container.

When it comes to hazardous materials, we know it's important to have a written policy, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS's) and train employees on how to work with chemicals safely, BUT it is also extremely important to store these substances safely.  Chemicals must be stored in accordance with strict OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations.  Improper storing and handling can lead to serious consequences.  Materials Handling and Storage Regulations are found in 29 CFR 1910 Subpart N.  Store everything according to OSHA's general storage requirements. 

Storage Basics

Storage of material must not create a hazard.  Aisles and passageways must be kept clear.  Material must be stored securely.  Storage areas shall be kept free from accumulation of materials that constitute hazards from tripping, fire or explosion.

In addition to the basics, OSHA has specific chemical storage requirements (see 29 CFR 1910 Subpart H).  These requirements are based on the type of chemical, its container and even on how it's used.  For example, in the Flammable and Combustible Liquids section, is information on how much of a chemical that can be on the premises, what kind of storage cabinet is needed and even where you can or cannot put that storage cabinet.

Before a chemical can be stored properly, we need to know its hazards.  This is where the MSDS comes in.  An MSDS provides us with all data known about a chemical including its hazards.  Chemical hazards are: flammable/combustible, reactive, toxic, explosive, oxidizing, carcinogenic, and corrosive.  Than can be health hazards.  When trying to determine these hazards, review these sections.

Physical/Chemical Characteristics Section

This gives information on the physical properties of a chemical, including its color and odor so it can be identified.  Under what conditions is it a liquid, solid or vapor.  What are the freezing or boiling points.  Is it an acid or base.

Fire/Explosion Section

This section describes how to prevent a fire or explosion when storing and using the product.

Reactivity Section

This section tells you under which conditions dangerous chemical reactions can occur. How to avoid dangerous mixtures and how to use appropriate storage methods.

Health Hazards Section

This section includes information on acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) health effects, signs and symptoms. It gives first aid procedures to follow in an emergency.

Hazardous Materials Storage Rules:

Store like chemicals together and away from chemicals that might cause a reaction if mixed.

All chemicals should be labeled and dated.

Flammable materials should be stored in approved, dedicated, flammable materials storage cabinet.

Liquids should be stored in unbreakable or double-contained packaging or storage cabinet should have the capacity to hold the contents if the container breaks.

No flames or hot work in flammable/combustible storage area.

Remember, while it is important to work safely when using chemicals, it is just as important to store hazardous materials safely according to MSDS and OSHA requirements.