Globally harmonized hazard communication – what’s it all about?

On Sept. 25, 2012, Oregon OSHA adopted federal OSHA’s “Globally Harmonized” hazard communication standard,

which is based on the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for classifying and labeling hazardous chemicals.

How has the hazard communication standard changed?

The key changes in the hazard communication standard, which affects chemical suppliers (manufacturers, importers, distributors) and employers whose employees may be exposed to hazardous chemicals, include:

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Hazard communication in the workplace

In the workplace, hazard communication ensures that workers who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals know about the chemicals’ hazards and understand how to protect themselves from exposure.... Read more ...

What is a hazardous chemical?

Oregon OSHA’s hazard communication rule for general industry,

Hazard Communication, 1910.1200, defines a hazardous chemical as any chemical that is classified as a physical hazard, a health hazard, a simple asphyxiate, combustible dust, pyrophoric gas, or a “hazard not otherwise classified.”

Chemicals that are physical hazards

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Understanding the hazard communication process

Hazard communication begins when chemical manufacturers and importers

evaluate the chemicals they produce or import, classify the chemicals’ health and physical hazards, and determine the appropriate hazard categories for each class of chemicals.

Chemical manufacturers and importers must also prepare labels that include signal words, pictograms, and hazard statements for their products in each hazard class and category.

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Preparing a written hazard communication plan

You must prepare a written hazard communication plan if employees at your workplace use or may be exposed to hazardous chemicals.

The plan, which must be specific to your workplace, requires that you: ... Read more ...

Using safety data sheets

A safety data sheet contains detailed information about a hazardous chemical’s health effects, its physical and chemical characteristics, and the safe practices for using it.

You must have a current safety data sheet for every product that your employees use that contains a hazardous chemical.

Employees must be able to review safety data sheets in their work area at any time.

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Labeling containers of hazardous chemicals

If you use hazardous chemicals at your workplace, you must ensure that each hazardous chemical container has a legible label in English that identifies the chemical and warns of its hazards. Don’t remove or deface the label. ... Read more ...

Training employees about hazard communication

Required hazard communication training

If you have employees who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals, you must inform them about the chemicals and train them when they are hired and whenever a new chemical hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area.

Inform employees about:

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Oregon OSHA's hazard communication rules

Oregon OSHA’s hazard communication rules affect employers in general industry, construction, and agricultural workplaces.

The purpose of these rules is to ensure that workers who use hazardous chemicals know why the chemicals can harm them and how to handle the chemicals safely.

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