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:

OSHA to Publish Final Rule On GHS at the End of 2011 or Early 2012
OSHA announced earlier this year that it planed to publish a final rule on the GHS, revising the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) in August of 2011.Then in July, that date was pushed back to September. As of September 27, our best guess for a final rule is December 2011 or early 2012.

In the U.S., changes to the HCS to align with GHS are expected affect over 40 million workers in 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 limited to a one-time transition that is phased in over a three year period with the greatest costs stemming from:

• 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

Other costs are expected to be the same or lower. OSHA expects the revised standard will prevent 43 fatalities and 585 injuries annually, with a net annualized savings of $745 million a year in the U.S.

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.