The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers that handle hazardous chemicals in their workplaces to implement the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) program. The purpose of the program is to ensure hazardous chemicals are classified and safety information is communicated. Just recently, the HCS was modified to adopt the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) to improve workers’ safety and health by practicing effective communication on chemical hazards.
Under the new provisions, chemical manufacturers, distributors, or importers are required to provide Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) or Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for each hazardous chemical. All SDSs for all hazardous chemicals used in the workplace must be accessible to employees. Manufacturers and distributors have until June 1, 2015 to comply with the modified provisions including the reclassification of chemicals. OSHA has granted distributors an extra six months to distribute products with old labels. Thus, by December 1, 2015, all manufacturers and distributors must be fully compliant with the new provisions.
To stay compliant, make sure to visit the Hazard Communication website https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/index.html.