GHS Answer Center
Welcome to the GHS Answer Center, brought to you by MSDSonline. If this is your first experience with the GHS, you probably have a lot of questions:
- What is it?
- What does it mean to me and my company?
- How much time do I have to get ready?
Whether you need a quick introduction to the GHS, or sophisticated answers to difficult questions, the GHS Answer Center is here to help. To get started, click on a link:
10 GHS Facts in 60 Seconds
GHS 101: An Overview
GHS 101: History of the GHS
GHS 101: Classification
GHS 101: Labels
GHS 101: Safety Data Sheets
GHS 101: U.S. Adoption
GHS 101: Links to Useful GHS Info
GHS 101: GHS Definitions
5 Great Questions on GHS
GHS Pictograms
GHS Transport Pictograms
GHS Is Here
On March 26, 2012 OSHA published in the Federal Register a final rule revising the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to align with GHS. This was the culmination of decades worth of work by OSHA to help develop the Globally Harmonized System and make it a reality in the U.S.
Changes the HCS to align with GHS will affect over 43 million workers in over 5 million workplaces. Major changes to the HCS will center on:
- Hazard classification
- Labels
- Safety Data Sheets
- Information and training
Costs to businesses are expected to be greatest in these areas:
- Re-classification of all chemicals
- Re-authoring of all Safety Data Sheets
- Training of workers on new label and SDS elements and familiarization with modified HCS system
OSHA expects the revised standard will prevent 43 fatalities and 585 injuries annually in the U.S., with a net annualized savings of over $500 million a year.
If you’ve been thinking about implementing an electronic MSDS Management solution and/or an on-demand Chemical Inventory Management solution, the time is now. With all of the changes coming, you’ll save time and money and more importantly stay compliant throughout.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
When do we expect the Global SDS system to be in function?
Thanks,
Greg
I would expect we’ll see something in Q1 of 2012. I would not be surprised to see something as early as January/February.
Why do you schedule the webinars for 11:00am eastern time that is 8:00am Pacific time and not have any later in the day
This makes attending these very difficult
Please add a couple of later times
Tom – Thanks for the feedback. Based on your request, we’ve added a couple of West Coast friendly times. Please visit check out our GHS Webinar page for details.
What about manufacturers’ labels on chemical containers found in academic teaching and research labs? They frequently have product that has been on their shelves for years. Will those require new GHS labels be affixed in order to be in compliance with the new system or would they be grandfathered?
Hi David,
Thanks for the question. We actually posed a similar question to OSHA director Dr. David Michaels during the agency’s teleconference announcing the adoption of GHS. Dr. Michaels said employers with older chemicals in their inventory where the manufacturers is no longer in business or where they’ve stopped receiving shipments from the supplier are not obligated to update their labels or SDSs for those products.
Compliance on labels and SDSs start with the manufacturer and distributor…they must classify their hazardous chemicals and produce the GHS formatted labels and SDSs and send them downstream. Their obligation is to send it down stream with either the first shipment to customer or the first shipment to customer after a change is made. They are not required to send information to past customers independent of a shipment. Since OSHA does not expect you to start the compliance ball rolling, if you have older chemicals, they would be grandfathered in.
Please keep in mind that this is a different matter than when chemicals are received without an SDS. If you receive a new shipment without an SDS, OSHA does expect you to make a good faith effort to secure the SDS before the product is used.
Hope that helps.
Brad