Form: TOOLBOX_MAY_2014

WHAT IS THE GHS STANDARD?

INTRODUCTION
OSHA revised the standard that governs hazardous materials. The old Hazard Communication Standard is now aligned with the inter-
national Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, commonly referred to as GHS. As a result,
manufacturers and distributors of hazards chemicals and products must begin standardizing their container labels to display all of the
required information. YOU ARE EQUIRED TO KNOW THIS INFORMATION IN GENERAL TERMS.
OBJECTIVES
I) Describe changes to the Hazard Communication Standard II) Describe changes to Material Safety Data Sheets. III) Describe changes
to Labels IV) Define the Globally Harmonized Standard (GHS) V) Describe applicable information on Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
BACKGROUND
Everyone should be aware of the Right to Know information contained in the Hazard Communications Program and MSDS Binder.
In the past, the information on a MSDS did not follow a set format and companies determined their content, formatting, and terminol-
ogy. The new GHS standard now requires ever company to adhere to a specific standard and is now the same throughout the world.
LABEL EXAMPLE





















IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS OF GHS STANDARD:

Product Identifier, which may be the product name or an
identifying number that can be cross-referenced to the cor-
responding Safety Data Sheet (SDS), as well as to the list of
hazardous chemicals that we maintain as part of our written
Haz-Com program;
Signal Words, which are used to indicate the relative level
of severity of hazard. The only two signal words used will be
"Danger" and "Warning"; other words like caution or
beware will no longer be allowed after the effective date.
"Danger" is the signal word used for more severe hazards,
while "Warning" is used for the less severe ones;
Hazard Statements, which are a relatively short statement
assigned to a specific hazard class and category that de-
scribes the nature of the hazard(s) of a chemical, including,
where appropriate, the degree of hazard. Examples of haz-
ard statements include Highly flammable liquid and


hazard statements include Highly flammable liquid and
vapor, or May cause liver damage.
Precautionary Statements, which are phrases that list rec-
ommended measures that should be taken to minimize or
prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to a hazard-
ous chemical or improper storage or handling. One example
of a precautionary statement would be Keep away from
heat, flames, sparks. No Smoking.
Pictograms, which are icons that appear in a small red box,
There are eight different pictograms, and one or more might
appear on a label; each one helps you quickly identify the
specific type of hazard associated with the product. We will
be covering the meanings of the eight pictograms in greater
detail during upcoming toolbox talks.
Name, Address, and Telephone Number of the chemical
manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party.


Location of Training: Date:
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Instructed by:______________________
Employee Attendance (PRINT LEGIBLY)
Form: TOOLBOX_MAY_2014
WHAT IS THE NEW GHS STANDARD?








16 SECTIONS OF THE SAFTEY DATA SHEET

Section 1-Identification includes product identifier; manufacturer or distributor name, address, phone
number; emergency phone number; recommended use; restrictions on use.
Section 2- Hazard(s) identification includes all hazards regarding the chemical; required label ele-
ments.
Section 3- Composition/information on ingredients
Section 4- First-aid measures important symptoms/ effects, acute, delayed; required treatment.
Section 5- Fire-fighting measures suitable extinguishing techniques; chemical hazards from fire.
Section 6- Accidental release measures lists emergency procedures; protective equipment; proper
methods of containment and cleanup.
Section 7- Handling and storage precautions for safe handling/storage, including incompatibilities.
Section 8- Exposure controls/personal protection lists OSHA's Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs);
Threshold Limit Values (TLVs); appropriate engineering controls; personal protective equipment (PPE).
Section 9- Physical and chemical properties lists the chemical's characteristics.
Section 10- Stability and reactivity lists chemical stability and possibility of hazardous reactions.
Section 11- Toxicological information includes routes of exposure; related symptoms, acute and
chronic effects; numerical measures of toxicity.
Section 12- Ecological information
Section 13- Disposal considerations
Section 14- Transport information
Section 15- Regulatory information
Section 16- Other information, includes the date of preparation or last revision.
*Note: Since other Agencies regulate this information, OSHA will not be enforcing Sections 12 through
15(29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(2)).

Employers must ensure that SDSs are readily accessible to employees.
See Appendix D of 1910.1200 for a detailed description of SDS contents.