Delay In Revision To Hazard Communication Standard

The U.S. Department of Labor - Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has announced that its final Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) rule, originally scheduled for released in August 2011, has been delayed for a few weeks due to the extensive review of the final standard. The final standard is not expected to be published in September 2011.

Minnesota employers will be given time to update their written hazard communication programs, and to prepare revised MSDS documents once the rule becomes final. OSHA had proposed a three-year implementation period to phase in compliance with the revised hazard communication rule. During the rulemaking comment periods and at the public hearings, stakeholders submitted recommended implementation periods ranging from 3 to 15 years. OSHA has indicated that it has considered all of these comments and the implementation period will be announced when the final rule is published. However, a company may opt to classify the products now according to GHS as long as it also follows the current Hazard Communication Standard. OSHA did not propose any changes in the language requirements in the Hazard Communication Standard. However, GHS is designed to enable workers of limited literacy in the English language to understand the information.

Caltha LLP provides expert hazard communication services in Minnesota to preparation of written hazard communication programs, Minnesota OSHA AWAIR compliance, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

For further information, contact Caltha LLP at:
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