Everyone in the manufacturing industry knows that OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is now aligned with the United Nation’s Globally Harmonized System (GHS) to standardize the system of creating and communicating safety data for chemicals. In support of this change, HAR Adhesive Technologies has begun to implement the training and documentation needed to comply with this new standard by June 2015. Customers will slowly begin to see those changes on our labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). In addition, for those who use the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) creation feature of our website, this will be updated to the new standard by the same deadline.
While this is a significant change in the way we classify and format safety information, it does not impose any new regulations on how our products are manufactured or handled.
Although this new change will take time to properly implement, we are excited to be part of this globalized standard and believe GHS will improve hazard communications both for our workers and our customers.
As the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) explains: “Chemicals directly or indirectly affect our lives and are essential to our food, our health, and our lifestyle. The widespread use of chemicals has resulted in the development of sector-specific regulations (transport, production, workplace, agriculture, trade, and consumer products). Having readily available information on the hazardous properties of chemicals, and recommended control measures, allows the production, transport, use, and disposal of chemicals to be managed safely. Thus, human health and the environment are protected.”
For more information about the new Hazard Communication Standard Fact Sheet from OSHA is a great resource. If you have concerns or questions regarding HAR’s implementation of this new standard, please contact me directly.
Ken Schonauer
ken.schonauer@haradhesive.com
440-786-7185
Readers are invited to use the links below to find and contact a local adhesives representative that can help with your company's industrial adhesives needs: HAR Adhesive Technologies has a presence in seven distinct states, uniquely focused on serving the adhesives, adhesive application, and equipment needs of each region in: Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia