|
OSHA updates hazardous chemical handling rules affecting 43 million workers
Story Date: 3/21/2012
| |
Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 3/20/12
After a four-year effort, the U.S. Labor Dept.’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration today released the final update of its Hazard Communication Standard, which now will be better aligned with international classifications and labels used by the United Nations.
The new rules are designed to make it easier for companies and their workers to understand the identities and hazards of chemicals used in the workplace, using pictograms on labels and reformatted safety data sheets to disseminate the information. OSHA says the changes will affect 43 million U.S. workers who manufacture or handle hazardous chemicals in more than 500 million workplaces nationwide. The revised rules are expected to prevent more than 500 workplace injures and 43 fatalities annually.
Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis told participants at a new conference this morning that the modifications will save U.S. businesses $475.2 million in productivity improvements and manufacturers of chemicals $32.2 million in costs associated with updating the safety data sheets. For companies like meat processors that use anhydrous ammonia and other refrigerants in their plants, information on handling the chemicals in emergency situations will continue to be available on both labels and data sheets, as well as Dept. of Transportation documentation.
The alignment with the U.N.’s Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals will be phased in over the next four years, according to Asst. Labor Secretary Dr. David Michaels. He told reporters that employers must train employees about the new formats by Dec. 1, 2013; manufacturers that make the chemicals must comply with the new rules by June 1, 2015; and communications programs among companies using the chemicals must be in place by June 1, 2016.
Additional information on the new OSHA rules on workplace chemicals is available here.
|
|
|
|
