Hazard Communication Standard
Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals
Kathleen Park
Medical Technology Program
Austin Community College
What is hazard communication?
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Employers must develop, maintain, prepare, and implement a written hazard
communication to include:
 List of all hazardous chemicals present onsite
 All containers MUST be labeled
 Provide employees access to Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
at all times within the work area
 An effective training program for all employees
that could potentially have an exposure
Define the GHS
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The Globally Harmonized System (GHS)
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International approach to hazard communication
Internationally agreed criteria for classification of chemical hazards
Standardized approach to label elements and SDSs
Based on existing systems from around the world
 OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)
 U. S. agencies’ labeling systems
Hazard communication updates

The three major areas updated in 2012
 Hazard classification
 Labels
 Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
 Formerly known as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Hazard Classification

Definition changed to provide specific criteria
 For classification of health hazards
 For classification of physical hazards
 For classification of mixtures

Why change?
 Ensure evaluation of hazardous effect are consistent across
manufacturers
 Labels are accurate
 SDS are accurate
 For classification of physical hazards
 For classification of mixtures
Hazard Classification
Classification
Physical hazard
Health hazard
Pyrophoric Gas
Simple Asphyxiates
Combustible dust
Hazard not otherwise classified (HNOC)
Labels

Requirements for chemical manufacturers:
 Product identifier
 Name, address, and telephone number of the chemical
manufacturer
 Hazard class and category
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Harmonized signal word
Pictogram
Hazard statement
Precautionary statements
Safety Data Sheets
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Information required is essentially the same as the old standard (MSDS)
1994 Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) indicated what
information, but not a format
The revised standard, HCS 2012, requires
 Consistent headings
 Information in a specified sequence
Safety Data Sheets

SDS MUST be accessible to employees
 Employers must maintain SDS
 Binders
 Online
 A back-up system MUST be available for rapid access if power outage
 Employees MUST have immediate access without leaving work area
 Employers may designate personnel to obtain and maintain the SDS
Safety Data Sheets

SDS format into 16 sections
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Identification
Hazard identification
Composition/information on ingredients
First-aid measures
Fire fighting measures
Accidental release measures
Handling and storage
Exposure controls/personal protection
Physical and chemical properties
Stability and reactivity
Toxicological information
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Ecological information
Disposal considerations
Transport information
Regulatory information
Other information
Sample SDS
Sample Label
Pictograms

Required under the GHS
 Required to convey health, physical, and environment hazards
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Found on all SDS
Pictograms
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Fire pictogram - flammables, pyrophorics, self-heating, self-reactive,
items that emit flammable gas, and organic peroxides
The pictogram in the middle - oxidizers
The skull and crossbones pictogram - acute toxicity (fatal or toxic)
Pictograms
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Hand and chemical pictogram – skin corrosion/burns, eye damage, and
corrosive to metals
Explosion pictogram – explosives, self-reactive, and organic peroxides
Exclamation point pictogram – irritant (skin and eye), skin sensitizer,
acute toxicity, narcotic effects, respiratory tract irritant, and hazardous
to ozone layer
Pictograms
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“Dead fish” pictogram – aquatic toxicity
Man and star pictogram – carcinogen, mutagenicity, reproductive
toxicity, respiratory sensitizer, target organ toxicity, and aspiration
toxicity
Gas pictogram – gases under pressure
References
OSHA HCS brief
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3514.pdf
OSHA compliance
http://www.thecompliancecenter.com/blog/2012/05/09/oshas-safety-datasheet-changes/
OSHA HCS factsheet
https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/HCSFactsheet.html