This is a reprint of a blog article by Kristen Hogrefe, Product Manager at Accuform Signs. You can read the article in its entirety at her blog: Notable Safety Regulations.

Chemical labeling

Employers must now use chemical labels as specified under the revised rule or approved alternatives. On their questions and answers page, OSHA clarifies that acceptable alternatives include the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 704 Hazard Rating and the Hazardous Material Information System (HMIS) as long as these formats present no conflicting information (e.g., hazard warnings or pictograms).

OSHA provides a sample label to show what information compliant labels must contain – the same key components identified in the UN’s document.
• Pictograms
• Signal word
• Hazard & precautionary statements
• Product identifier
• Supplier identification

Safety Data Sheets

Under the revised Hazard Communication Standard, Safety Data Sheets (SDS) - no longer called Manufacturer Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) - will follow the ANSI standard 16-section format. Important to note is that OSHA will not mandate Sections 12-15 since other agencies regulate this information.

Pictograms

OSHA has created a Quick Card™ to identify the nine pictograms and outline what hazards each represents. The Environment pictogram is considered non-mandatory since environmental hazards fall outside OSHA’s jurisdiction.

All pictograms must have a red border - no exceptions.

It’s time to get busy

The Final Rule becomes effective 60 days after publication. OSHA's Fact Sheet outlines what that means for compliance dates.

Transition period

Stay tuned for more on GHS in the coming weeks. For available GHS solutions from Accuform Signs, visit our GHS product page.

The information provided is for general purposes only, and not to be relied upon as legal advice, legal opinion, and absolute and complete for the specific facts or circumstances.