Compliance and Training for Hazard Communication Standard by ICSDS

OSHA revised HazCom standard in March 2012 with training to be the starting point of scheduled compliances. OSHA issued technical guidelines in February 2016 for classification of chemicals. The new guidelines call for use of pictograms, revised product labels and new format SDS, all of them contained in a lengthy document running to 432 pages. The guidelines apply to manufacturers and importers of hazardous chemicals and employers using such products in workplaces.

The original HazCom standard is complex and amendments make it even more so. Hazardous nature of a chemical is determined by scientific tests and the hazard class defined just how hazardous it is from the perspective of physical or health. The hazard class has further subdivisions of hazard category according to toxicity and flammability of chemicals. There are four categories. The hierarchy can be confusing, especially when existing MSDS must be updated to SDS and this may necessitate reclassification of a product into the appropriate section. Labels too must reflect the change and provide the right information in the form of signal words, text and pictogram. SDS and labels by themselves are of little use unless workers can learn to interpret them and implement guidelines or follow instructions. This means worker training is imperative to the success of the hazard communication program. Assistance for compliance and training for Hazard Communication Standard by ICSDS proves invaluable for manufacturers/importers mired in the complex maze of hazard class and category distinctions.

What is complex for the layman is not so for experts at ICSDS. They understand the intricacies of the guidance and the multiple appendixes that must also be referred to in the classification of a product and preparation of SDS and labels. The task would be easy if OSHA had a ready to use list from which one can pick the appropriate class and category. ICSDS experts rely on their knowledge of chemicals and draw from other authoritative sources to arive at the right classification/categorization. It must also be kept in mind that there are other agencies involved. For instance, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists has a list of threshold limit values of carcinogenic substances.

Though deadlines for compliance have passed and OSHA is lenient, the situation may not continue and non-compliance could result in fines. Speedy updates or preparation of new SDS and labels by ICSDS helps manufacturers avoid this likelihood. At the same time, ICSDS also offers general training on OSHA hazard communication standard 29CFR1910.1200 to bring workers and employees to speed in latest labeling methodologies, pictograms, interpretations and guidelines on safe handling. The concise yet comprehensive course endows workers with full knowledge about 5 key elements of HazCom, their rights under the standard, capability to identify label symbols and other information.

There is no getting away from compliance and it is not possible for staff or employees of a manufacturer or importer to take on the task of SDS/labels or even training given the complexity and chances of errors. Engaging ICSDS, on the other hand, makes it an easy and quick process.