OSHA’s GHS Chemical Safety System Deadline is Near: Are You Prepared?

ROGERS, Minn. - July 18, 2013 - PRLog -- Your reason for concern is that the OSHA required training deadline is soon approaching and employers will need to train their employees on the new chemical label elements and safety data sheet (SDS) format by December 1, 2013 to comply with the OSHA ruling. On March 20, 2012, OSHA issued a final rule that substantially modifies its Hazard Communication Standard to conform to the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, or GHS. The goal of GHS is to use more effective communication of chemical hazards to improve the safety and health of employees that handle chemicals in the workplace.

This new Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals will be defining health, physical, and environmental hazards of chemicals. The new GHS will also create a classification process that will use available data on chemicals for comparison with the defined hazard criteria; and communicating hazard information as well as protective measures on labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). This new GHS system for standardizing and harmonizing the classification and labeling of chemicals will require companies that have employees who handle chemicals in the workplace be provided the in-depth training as required by OSHA. Previous Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and labels will need to be reviewed, revised, and rewritten to comply with the new GHS. The new OSHA GHS will require you to provide mandatory GHS training for all company employees that handle chemicals in the workplace. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) will be no longer acceptable and you will be required to become compliant with the new Safety Data Sheet (SDS) requirements, and chemical labels must be revised to include the 6 new GHS labeling elements.

“Although the final date for manufacturers and distributors to be in compliance is not until 2015, employers must train employees that use chemicals in the work place by December 1st of 2013.  That’s because OSHA believes it is important to ensure that when employees begin to see the new labels and SDSs in their workplaces, they will be familiar with them, understand how to use them, and access the information effectively”, says Steve Hanson, Co-founder of The Janitorial Store, an online resource for cleaning business owners.

The production and use of chemicals affects everyone in one way or another throughout the world. They are an essential part of our existence and affect our way of life through the foods we eat, our health, and the overall daily regiments of our lives. The global chemical industry generates more than $1.7 trillion dollars per year. In the U.S. alone, it is a $450 billion dollar enterprise and the U.S. exports more than $80 billion a year. The widespread use of chemicals in transportation, production, agriculture, trade, consumer products, and the workplace, has given rise to the development of sector-specific regulations. Being able to access the necessary information on the hazardous properties of chemicals and recommended control measures, permits the production, transportation, handling, and disposal of chemicals to be controlled and accomplished safely. This creates a safe and sound healthy solution for all who come in contact with chemicals and safeguards our environment. Are you prepared?

The Janitorial Store is an online resource for cleaning companies throughout the United States and in over 40 countries around the world. It is an invaluable resource for those serious about starting, improving and growing a profitable cleaning business. The quickest route to long-lasting success as a cleaning business owner isn't about figuring it all out yourself -- there's no need to struggle on your own. The Janitorial Store offers access to a unique support system, useful tools, training, and the necessary resources to help your business grow. For OSHA Compliant Safety training that has been updated to comply with the new GHS Standard, visit http://www.thejanitorialstore.com/products/department79.cfm.