The Hazard Communication Standard developed by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is now 25 years old. The standard – one frequently violated by employers – makes information about chemicals widely available to U.S. employees through material safety data sheets, employee training, and the classification and labeling of workplace chemicals.
Other U.S. agencies (such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Transportation, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission) have similar requirements - but each agency has its own definitions and purpose. There is no standardization between agencies, or among countries. While many countries have similar requirements, they differ enough to result in varying (and sometimes conflicting) protection and labeling requirements when materials enter the United States.
This year, the United Nations will be implementing the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) - a new global system that will standardize definitions, data sheets, classification of materials, and labeling around the world. U.S. agencies will be making decisions about adopting these requirements in the U.S.
While this is ultimately good news for all concerned, in the short term the implementation of the GHS will require changes in all American workplace hazard communication programs—including all new labels and safety data sheets.
To ensure that you’re prepared, order this 90-minute webinar recording with a leading U.S. expert on the GHS.
You and your colleagues will learn:
- What the GHS is, and why your understanding of it is crucial
- How the new standard may affect your workplace
- When the new system may be adopted in the United States
- What changes would be required in classification, labeling, and employee training to be consistent with the GHS
- How the HazCom standard may be modified to align with the GHS
- Practical tips for compliance that you can implement right away
This webinar was recorded on Wednesday, August 13, 2008
About Your Speaker:
Jennifer Silk is an occupational safety and health consultant and a Training Advisor with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) on issues related to implementation of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). She recently retired from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), where she was deputy director of Standards and Guidance and the agency’s lead expert on hazard communication. Silk chaired the international coordinating group that managed the development of the GHS, and represented the United States in the negotiations. From its inception in 2001 until her retirement, she was the head of the U.S. delegation to the United Nations Subcommittee of Experts on the GHS. She has presented frequently on various aspects of hazard communication, as well as authored a number of papers and book chapters on the subject.
Approved for Recertification Credit
This webinar qualifies for Continuance of Certification (COC) credit. CSPs will earn 0.05 COC points for attending this webinar.
