Presenter: Sue Brown
WSU Plant Operations Support
International Global Harmonization System (GHS) of
Classification and Labeling of Chemicals
Understanding the GHS Labeling System
Background The federal Occupational Safety & Health
Administration (OSHA) has made changes to the 1983 Federal Hazard Communication
Standard based on the United Nations International Global Harmonization System of
Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), Revision 3. This went into effect in
May 2012.
Why change? When OSHA originally created the HazCom Standard, it was “performance based,” which
meant that while the Standard described what companies needed to accomplish, it left them free to decide exactly how they would do
that.
What is the Global Harmonization System?
It is an international system used to classify hazardous chemicals
and standardize hazard information on product labels and
safety data sheets.
Who do these changes affect?
• Chemical manufacturers • Chemical importers/transporters • Chemical distributors • Employers • Workers who use chemicals
HazCom 2012 It doesn’t replace OSHA’s HazCom Standard, it “enhances” the Standard. It does not change a workers’ right to know if they are being exposed to hazardous chemicals. It includes information on: • What to do to protect themselves from the
hazards of the chemical product • Where to go to get more information
What HazCom 2012 Does Change
1. Hazard Classification: Provides specific criteria for classification of health and physical hazards, as well as classification of chemical mixtures.
2. GHS first divides chemicals into “Hazard Classes” then into “Hazard Categories”
What HazCom 2012 Does Change
2. Labels: Chemical manufacturers and importers will be required to provide a standardized label that includes: – Product identifier – Signal words – A hazard statement – A precautionary statement – Pictograms – Supplemental information
What HazCom 2012 Does Change
3. Safety Data Sheets will replace Material Safety Data Sheets and have a new
16-section format
4. Right-to-Know laws are evolving into “Right to Understand” regulations, meaning workers who handle hazardous chemicals must be trained in a format they can understand to become familiar with the content of the safety data sheets and labeling requirements.
What HazCom 2012 Does Change
HazCom Training All states must adopt these changes.
Washington State’s Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) Division of Occupational
Safety and Health (DOSH) states that employees who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals must be trained on the safety data sheet format and new labelling elements by
June 1, 2014.
HazCom Training
Training must be presented in a manner workers can understand, even for • Non-English speaking workers • Illiterate workers The ultimate goal is to more effectively prevent injuries and illnesses and save lives.
HazCom 2012
Once GHS-based requirements go into effect in Washington State, required HazCom programs will
need to be modified to include the new labels and standardized SDS
format.
Deadlines for Compliance • All hazardous chemicals shipped after June 1,
2015 must be labeled with the six new specific elements of the 2012 Hazard Communication Standard, but are permitted to comply with regulation earlier.
• Distributors may ship containers labeled by manufacturers or importers with earlier HazCom compliance until December 1, 2015.
Labels
Labels, as defined in the HCS, are an appropriate group of written, printed, or
graphic informational elements concerning a hazardous chemical that are affixed to, printed on, or attached to the immediate container of a
hazardous chemical, or to the outside packaging.
Label Requirements
1. PRODUCT IDENTIFIER This can be (but not limited to) the chemical name, code number or batch number. The identifier must be both on the label and in section 1 of the SDS.
Label Requirements
2. SIGNAL WORDS There are only two: “Danger” and “Warning” and only one is used on a label.
“Warning” is used for less severe hazards than “Danger.” If both apply, “Danger” should appear on the label.
Label Requirements
3. HAZARD STATEMENTS These describe the nature of the hazard(s) of the chemical, including the degree of the hazard. Specific to the hazard classification categories.
Examples of Hazard Statements
• Causes damage to kidneys through prolonged or repeated exposure when absorbed through the skin.
• Causes mild skin irritation. • Causes serious eye irritation. • May cause drowsiness or dizziness. • Highly flammable liquid and vapor.
Label Requirements
4. SUPPLIER INFORMATION Must include the name, address and telephone number of the chemical manufacturer, importer, distributor or other responsible party.
Label Requirements
5. PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS These describe recommended measures that should be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to a hazardous chemical or by improper storage or handling. There are four types of precautionary statements.
Levels of Precautionary Statements
1. How to prevent exposure 2. First aid procedures in case of accidental
exposure 3. Spill response/procedures 4. Storage and disposal requirements They may be combined on a label.
Example of a Precautionary Statement
If in eyes: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. No smoking. Avoid breathing vapors.
Label Requirements
6. PICTOGRAMS These are graphic symbols used to communicate specific information about the hazards of a chemical. The required pictograms consist of a red square frame set at a point with a black hazard symbol on a white background, sufficiently wide to be clearly visible. GHS uses a total of 9 pictograms.
Pictograms 1. Health Hazard 2. Flame 3. Exclamation Mark 4. Gas Cylinder 5. Corrosion 6. Exploding Bomb 7. Flame Over Circle 8. Environment 9. Skull and Crossbones
Health Hazard • Carcinogen • Mutagenicity • Reproductive Toxicity • Respiratory Sensitizer • Target Organ Toxicity • Aspiration Toxicity
Flame •Flammables •Pyrophorics •Self-Heating •Emits Flammable Gas •Self-Reactives •Organic Peroxides
Exclamation Mark • Irritant (skin and eye) • Skin Sensitizer • Acute Toxicity • Narcotic Effects • Respiratory Tract Irritant • Hazardous to Ozone Layer
(Non-Mandatory, per OSHA)
Gas Cylinder • Gases Under Pressure
Corrosion • Skin Corrosion/Burns • Eye Damage • Corrosive to Metals
Exploding Bomb • Explosives • Self-Reactives • Organic Peroxides
Flame over Circle • Oxidizers
Environment (non-mandatory)
•Aquatic Toxicity
Skull over Crossbones • Acute Toxicity (fatal or toxic)
Label Requirements 7. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Additional instructions or information that the label producer deems helpful. May also list any hazards not otherwise classified. Must also identify percentage of ingredients of unknown acute toxicity when it is present in a concentration of ≥1 percent (and the classification is not based on testing the mixture as a whole).
Transportation/Shipping
• The transport label for the outside of the container or box
• The GHS hazard warning label on the product inside the package
• If the product is in one container, such as a bulk drum, the transport label and GHS hazard warning label will go together.
Alternative Workplace Labels
• Companies can still use other labeling systems to label “in-house” containers
• These “alternative workplace labels” must contain all the information that is required by the GHS system
Understanding GHS Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
ANSI Material Safety Data Sheet Written or printed material
concerning a hazardous chemical (prepared in accordance with WAC
296-901-14014 in Washington). MSDSs are permitted to take on a variety of formats. This can cause confusion in locating information.
Safety Data Sheets
All SDS’s will follow a consistent, standardized
16-section format and order.
Safety Data Sheets
The handling instructions on the Safety Data Sheets are often the same as the ones listed on the
chemical’s container label.
SDS 16-Section Format 1. Identification 2. Hazard(s) identification 3. Composition /info on
ingredients 4. First-Aid measures 5. Firefighting measures 6. Accidental release
measures 7. Handling and storage 8. Exposure
controls/personal protection
9. Physical and chemical properties
10. Stability and reactivity 11. Toxicological info 12. Ecological info* 13. Disposal considerations* 14. Transport info* 15. Regulatory info* 16. Other info, incl. date of
preparation/revision
*Not regulated by OSHA
Safety Data Sheets Designed to answer four basic questions: 1. What is the material and what are its
hazards? (in Sections 1, 2, and 3) 2. What should I do if a problem occurs when
I’m working with this material? (in Sections 4, 5 and 6)
3. What precautions should I take to prevent problems when I work with this material? (in Sections 7, 8, 9 and 10)
4. Is there anything else I should know about this material? (in Sections 11 through 16)
Safety Data Sheets
• Must contain sections 12-15, but… • OSHA will not enforce the content for these
sections. WHY? They are regulated by other agencies (EPA, DOT, etc.)
Safety Data Sheets
• Section 1: Identification – Product identifier used on label – Recommended use of the chemical – Name, address and telephone number of the
manufacturer, importer or other responsible party
– Emergency phone number
Safety Data Sheets • Section 2: Hazard identification
– Hazard class, and category (i.e. flammable liquid, category 4)
– Label elements: • Signal word (Warning or Danger) • Hazard statement (i.e. combustible liquid) • Pictograms (none for flammable liquid, cat. 4) • Precautionary statement • Consistent with label / “Heart” of SDS
Safety Data Sheets
• Section 3: Composition/information on ingredients – Information on chemical ingredients, trade
secrets • Section 4: First-aid measures
– Description of measures based on route of exposure
– Immediate medical treatment procedures
Safety Data Sheets
• Section 5: Fire fighting measures – Suitable and unsuitable extinguishing media – Special hazards presented by the chemical in
fire • Section 6: Accidental release measures
– Personal precautions, emergency procedures
Safety Data Sheets
• Section 7: Handling and storage – Precautions for safe handling and storage – Any incompatibilities
• Section 8: Exposure controls/personal protection – OSHA PELs, TLVs – Appropriate engineering controls (ventilation) – PPE
Safety Data Sheets
• Section 9: Physical and chemical properties – Appearance, pH, odor, flash point, vapor
pressure, etc. • Section 10: Stability and reactivity
– Chemical stability, possibility of hazardous reactions
– Conditions to avoid, incompatible materials
Safety Data Sheets
• Section 11: Toxicological information – Routes of exposure, related symptoms, acute
and chronic effects • Section 12: Ecological information • Section 13: Disposal considerations • Section 14: Transportation information
Safety Data Sheets
• Section 15: Regulatory information • Section 16: Date of preparation, last
revision
Questions?
Terms to Know
What is a flash point?
The lowest temperature at which a volatile material can vaporize to form an ignitable
mixture in air.
Terms to Know
What is the flash point of flammables?
At or below 100 degrees F.
Terms to Know
What is the flash point of combustibles?
Above 100 degrees F.
Terms to Know
What is an oxidizer? The DOT defines an oxidizer or oxidizing materials as a substance that yields oxygen
readily to stimulate the combustion (oxidation) of organic matter.
Examples: Chlorate (CI03), permanganate (MnO4), and nitrate (NO3) compounds
Terms to Know
What does acute toxicity mean?
The adverse (acute) effects resulting from a single dose of, or short exposure to, a
substance.
Terms to Know
What does acute effect mean?
The adverse effect on a human or animal, with symptoms developing rapidly and coming
quickly to crisis. Usually occurs following a single exposure to a chemical.
Terms to Know
What does chronic effect mean?
An adverse effect on a human or animal in which symptoms develop slowly following repeated, normally low level exposures to a chemical over a long period of time, or recur
frequently.
Terms to Know
What does chronic toxicity mean?
Adverse (chronic) effects resulting from repeated doses of, or exposures to, a substance
over a prolonged period of time.
Terms to Know
What is vapor density?
A scientific weight compared to a cubic foot of ambient air at sea level. (Air has a
scientific weight of 1.)
Terms to Know
What is specific gravity?
A scientific weight compared to a cubic foot of distilled water at sea level. (Water has a
scientific weight of 1.)
Terms to Know
What is a mutagen?
A substance that will alter DNA if permitted to enter the body.
Terms to Know
What is LC 50?
The lethal concentration of a chemical in air or of a chemical in water which causes the
death of 50% of a group of test animals.
Terms to Know
What is LD 50?
The lethal dosage of a chemical given at once which causes the death of 50% of a group of
test animals.
Terms to Know What does stability mean?
The ability of a material to remain unchanged. A material is stable if it remains in the same
form under expected and reasonable conditions of storage and use. Conditions that
may cause instability are stated on the SDS.
Terms to Know
What does reactivity mean?
The tendency of a substance to undergo a chemical change with the release of energy. Reactive chemicals are liable to cause fire or
promote an explosion.
Reactivity cause and effect
Undesirable effects like pressure buildup, temperature increase, formation of noxious, toxic or corrosive by-products may occur because of a reaction to heating, burning,
direct contact with other materials, or other conditions when in use or in storage.
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