Show OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard [29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.1200, (also referred to as the "Right to Know" law] requires manufacturers of chemicals, employers, and employees to take measures to prevent illness or injury that could occur when working with hazardous materials. OSHA has adopted significant changes to this standard to conform to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).
Summary of changesOSHA estimates, over five million workplaces and 43 million employees are going to be affected by the revised Hazard Communications Standard. The majority of the expected changes fall into three areas:
As the above table indicates, full compliance with the final rule is not expected until June 1, 2015. However, employers need to abide by the December 1, 2013 date for training their employees on the new label and SDS formats. This training must include details within two principal areas: Labels and SDS. 1. Labels
2. SDS
For more complete information regarding the transition requirements to the revised Hazard Communication Standard, visit the OSHA website. Information for public sector employersPublic sector employers in Texas are not subject to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act. However, the Texas Hazard Communication Act, which is applicable to state and local governments, does reference current Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations in terms of labeling and safety data sheets (SDS; formerly MSDS). Because public sector employers are not under OSHA's jurisdiction, they are not required to train their employees on the new labeling and SDS format by December 1 as private sector employers are. However, public employers are required by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to train employees on how to read and understand the new label and SDS elements at the time that hazardous chemicals are received with the new labels or SDSs. The training must be performed prior to requiring that the employee work with the hazardous chemical. DSHS has regulatory authority over public sector employers' compliance with the Texas Hazard Communication Act and provides information on its website. Fact sheets, employee notices, and other publications are also available. For more information about the applicability of the Texas Hazard Communication Act and GHS or this website, call DSHS at (888) 778-9440, ext. 2434. Other resourcesOSHA - Hazard Communication Standard What is the revised Hazard Communication Standard?It requires training of workers to enable them to understand the new labeling and safety data sheets using GHS. In addition, HCS provides new criteria for classification of health and physical hazards and mixtures of chemicals.
When Should every employee be trained on the HCS changes?How often must HazCom refresher training be given? You must provide "effective" HazCom training to your employees at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new physical or health hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area.
Is training on hazard communication required?Employers are required to develop and implement an effective written HazCom Program that conveys the information contained on the SDSs and labels to employees exposed to the chemicals, along with guidance on how to control exposures to these chemicals.
What should be included in your hazard communication training?The program must include labels on containers of hazardous chemicals, safety data sheets (SDSs) for hazardous chemicals, and training for workers. Each employer must also describe in a written program how it will meet the requirements of the HCS in each of these areas.
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