Date: January 3, 2013 Presentation Title

Globally Harmonized System (GHS) PRESENTED BY:

Russell Townsend, HSE Manager

Globally Harmonized System (GHS) Hazard Communication Standard (HAZCOM) 29 CFR

1910.1200

New changes to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard are bringing the United States into alignment with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), further improving safety and health protections for America's workers. Building on the success of OSHA's current Hazard Communication Standard, the GHS is expected to prevent injuries and illnesses, save lives and improve trade conditions for chemical manufacturers. The Hazard Communication Standard in 1983 gave the workers the ‘right to know,' but the new Globally Harmonized System gives workers the ‘right to understand.

May 30, 2012 page 2

History of Globally Harmonized System (GHS)

• Before the GHS was created and implemented by the United Nations, there were many different regulations on hazard classification in use in different countries. Whilst those systems may have been similar in content and approach, they resulted in multiple standards and classifications and labels for the same hazard in different countries. Given the extent of international trade in chemicals, and the potential impact on neighboring countries when controls are not implemented, it was determined that a worldwide approach was necessary.

• The GHS was designed to replace all the diverse classification systems and present one universal standard which all countries should follow (however, the GHS is not compulsory under UN law). The system provides the infrastructure for participating countries to implement a hazard classification and communication system, which many less economically developed countries would not have had the money to create themselves. In the longer term, the GHS is expected to improve knowledge of the chronic health hazards of chemicals and encourage a move towards the elimination of hazardous chemicals, especially carcinogens, mutagens and reproductive toxins, or their replacement with less hazardous ones.

History of Globally Harmonized System (GHS) cont.

• The final "Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for classification and labeling" standard was created at the 1992 Rio Conference on Environment and Development with the statement that “A globally harmonized hazard classification and compatible labeling system, including material safety data sheets and easily understandable symbols.

Reasons for Development of GHS

• Growing international trade • Different requirements for labeling of

chemicals • Different classifications of identical

products in different countries • Requirement for an international

safety standard

Major changes to the Hazard Communication Standard:

• Hazard classification: Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to determine the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import. Hazard classification under the new, updated standard provides specific criteria to address health and physical hazards as well as classification of chemical mixtures.

• Labels: Chemical manufacturers and importers must provide a label that includes a signal word, pictogram, hazard statement, and precautionary statement for each hazard class and category.

• Safety Data Sheets: The new format requires 16 specific sections, ensuring consistency in presentation of important protection information.

• Information and training: To facilitate understanding of the new system, the new standard requires that workers be trained by December 1, 2013 on the new label elements and safety data sheet format, in addition to the current training requirements.

The GHS Elements

Classification Criteria• Health and Environmental Hazards• Physical Hazards• Mixtures

Hazard Communication• Labels• Safety Data Sheets

Health & Environmental Hazards

Acute ToxicitySkin Corrosion/IrritationSerious Eye Damage/Eye IrritationRespiratory or Skin SensitizationGerm Cell MutagenicityCarcinogenicityReproductive ToxicityTarget Organ Systemic Toxicity – Single and Repeated

DoseHazardous to the Aquatic EnvironmentHazardous to the Ozone Layer

Tiered Approach to Classification

Generally use test data for the mixture, when available

Use bridging principles, if applicable

For health and environmental hazards, estimate hazards based on the known

ingredient information

Testing Requirements

• The GHS document does not include testing requirements for substances or mixtures. In fact, one of the main goals of the GHS is to reduce the need for animal testing. The GHS criteria for determining health and environmental hazards are test method neutral, allowing different approaches as long as they are scientifically sound and validated according to international procedures and criteria already referred to in existing systems. Test data already generated for the classification of chemicals under existing systems should be accepted when classifying these chemicals under the GHS, thereby avoiding duplicative testing and the unnecessary use of test animals. The GHS physical hazard criteria are linked to specific UN test methods. It is assumed that mixtures will be tested for physical hazards.

Hazard Communication

After the substance or mixture has been classified according to the GHS criteria, the hazards need tobe communicated. As with many existing systems, the communication methods incorporated in GHS include labels and MSDS’s. The GHS attempts to standardize hazard communication so that the intended audience can better understand the hazards of the chemicals in use. The GHS has established guiding principles:The problem of trade secret or confidential business information has not been addressed within the GHS, except in general terms. For example, non-disclosure of confidential business information should not compromise the health and safety of users.

● Hazard communication should be available in more than one form (for example, placards, labels or MSDS’s).

● Hazard communication should include hazard statements and precautionary statements.

● Hazard communication information should be easy to understand and standardized.

● Hazard communication phrases should be consistent with each other to reduce confusion.

● Hazard communication should take into account all existing research and any new evidence.

Hazard Communication cont.

Comprehensibility is challenging for a single culture and language. Global harmonization has numerous complexities. Some factors that affected the work include:● Different philosophies in existing systems on how and what should be communicated;

● Language differences around the world;

● Ability to translate phrases meaningfully;

● Ability to understand and appropriately respond to symbols/pictograms.

These factors were considered in developing the GHS communication tools.

Physical Hazards

ExplosivesFlammability – gases, aerosols, liquids, solidsOxidizers – liquid, solid, gasesSelf-Reactive Pyrophoric – liquids, solidsSelf-HeatingOrganic PeroxidesCorrosive to MetalsGases Under PressureWater-Activated Flammable Gases

Labels

The Working Group identified about 35 different types of information that are currently required on labels by different systems.

To harmonize, key information elements needed to be identified.

Additional harmonization may occur on other elements in time, in particular for precautionary statements.

Key Label Elements

Product identifier

Supplier identifier

Chemical identity

Hazard pictograms*

Signal words*

Hazard statements*

Precautionary information

*Standardized

Pictogram Shape and Colour

For transport, pictograms will have the background and symbol colours currently used.

For other sectors, pictograms will have a black symbol on a white background with a red diamond frame. A black frame may be used for shipments within one country.

Where a transport pictogram appears, the GHS pictogram for the same hazard should not appear.

Transport PictogramsTransport Pictograms

GHS PictogramsGHS Pictograms

!

Signal Words

“Danger” or “Warning”

Used to emphasize hazard and

discriminate between levels of

hazard.

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

Precautionary Information

GHS label should include appropriate precautionary information.

The GHS document includes examples of precautionary statements which can be used.

The intent is to harmonize precautionary statements in the future.

HMIS Label

NFPA Label

Container Label

• Product Identifier• CODE ______________________________

Product Name ___________________• Supplier Identification• Company Name_________________

Street Address ______________________City _________________ State ______Postal Code __________ Country ______Emergency Phone Number ___________

• Precautionary Statements• Keep container tightly closed. Store in cool, well ventilated place that is locked.

Keep away from heat/sparks/open flame. No smoking.Only use non-sparking tools. Use explosion-proof electrical equipment.Take precautionary measure against static discharge. Ground and bond container and receiving equipment. Do not breathe vapors. Wear Protective gloves. Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Dispose of in accordance with local, regional, national, international regulations as specified.

Container label cont.

In Case of Fire: use dry chemical (BC) or Carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguisher to extinguish.

• First AidIf exposed call Poison Center.If on skin (on hair): Take off immediately any contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water.

• Hazard Pictograms• Signal Word• Danger• Hazard Statement• Highly flammable liquid and vapor.

May cause liver and kidney damage. Hazard Pictograms• Signal Word• Danger• Supplemental Information• Directions for use

____________________________________________________________

Fill weight: _____________ Lot Number ______Gross weight: __________ Fill Date: ______Expiration Date: ___________

Label

SDS Format: 16 headings

1. Identification2. Hazard(s) identification3. Composition/information on ingredients4. First-aid measures5. Fire-fighting measures6. Accidental release measures7. Handling and storage8. Exposure control/personal protection

SDS Format: 16 headings (cont.)

9. Physical and chemical properties10. Stability and reactivity11. Toxicological information12. Ecological information13. Disposal considerations14. Transport information15. Regulatory information16. Other information

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.

Training

Current training procedures for Hazard Communication in the United States are more detailed than the GHS training recommendations. Therefore, educating employees on the updated chemical and product classifications and related pictograms, signal words, hazard statements and precautionary measures will represent the greatest training challenge. Training will be a key component of the overall GHS approach and should incorporate information as it is introduced into the workplace. Employees and emergency responders will need to be trained on all new program elements, from hazard statements to pictograms. Bear in mind, if products are imported from countries that implement GHS prior to the United States and Canada, employee training may need to begin earlier than expected.

Target Dates

Effective Completion Date Requirement(s) Who, December 1, 2013 Train employees on the new label elements and SDS format. Employers June 1, 2015*

December 1, 2015 Comply with all modified provisions of this final rule, except:Distributors may ship products labeled by manufacturers under the old system until December 1, 2015. Chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors and employers June 1, 2016 Update alternative workplace labeling and hazard communication program as necessary, and provide additional employee training for newly identified physical or health hazards. Employers Transition Period Comply with either 29 CFR 1910.1200 (this final standard), or the current standard, or both. All chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors and employers.