Be Prepared - New OSHA Training Standard to Start Soon

December 1st Set as Training Deadline for Revised Hazard Communication Standard

OSHA's Hazard of Communication Standard (HCS) has recently been revised to include new requirements to evaluate hazards of chemicals and prepare labels and safety data sheets information. Facilities have until December 1, 2013 to complete all employee training.

The updates to the HCS include all operations and facilities that have at least one hazardous chemical on site. This includes battery-powered forklift trucks battery acid, propane-powered industrial units and food facilities that use chemicals for cleaning.

The main reason for the rule change is to increase safety and awareness of hazardous chemicals in the workplace. "We are updating Haz Com to meet the needs of our changing world," Assistant Secretary David Michaels said. "Revising OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard will improve the quality and consistency of hazard information, making it safer for workers to do their jobs and easier for employers to stay competitive."

The revisions are the result of OSHA's alignment of the HCS with the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classifying and Labeling of Chemicals. Changes were made in order to better standardize the world of hazardous chemicals.

"Now, under the new standard, instead of having a variety of different safety data sheets and labels, the hazard warnings will now be the same regardless of who produces it or where it is produced...the message is the same regardless of who sees it," said Michaels.

Shoppa's Mid America encourages all customers to get trained as quickly as possible. For more information, contact us today. You can also find more information regarding the HCS rule change at www.osha.gov.