The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is set to issue a revised hazard communication (HAZCOM) standard soon to incorporate the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).

The GHS was developed from a United Nations initiative that seeks to set worldwide standards for how chemicals are classified (according to their danger, or hazard) and how information about those chemicals is displayed on the packaging (standard wording and pictograms).

Adoption of GHS standards will affect chemical manufacturers, who will have to redesign their labels and data on those labels. It will also affaect companies that use hazardous substances on site because it will require the adoption of new Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), which are required by OSHA to be available to employees.

Personnel Concepts, fortunately, offers an MSDS database, so that subscribers to our OSHA Compliance Manager Subscription can have instant access to the latest MSDSs. Get your subscription today in preparation for this new GHS-based hazard communication standard.