Hazard Communication Standard by ICSDS.Com Helps Employers Assure Better Safety at Workplaces

OSHA introduced GHS into its Hazard Communication Standard in 2012 with the objective of assuring that employees and employers are better informed about the nature of chemicals they handle. MSDS need to be updated to the GHS SDS formats. This could be perceived as a chore but, in the end, it leads to uniformity and easy communication. The result is reduced injuries and risks at workplaces.

The accent is on employee training that will improve hazard communication and make them informed so as to read, interpret and understand data sheets as well as safety labels. Employers benefit by applying safety leadership methods such as a plan to reduce accidents at workplaces and motivate employees to take to the new system; support the change and engage staff in the program; ensure employees become proficient and be proactive in adjusting methods to the new hazard communication standards.

Helping employers achieve their objective is the hazard communication standards by icsds.com effort. MSDS need to be updated to SDS or entirely new SDS and labels need to be developed should a chemical have been reclassified. Data sheets need to be prepared in the 16 section format that gives out vital safety information while safeguarding trade secrets. 

At the same time emphasis is placed on preparing labels the right way with the right choice of symbols and warning words that give precise information at a glance. This part is supported by professional training conducted in-house by experts of ICSDS to ensure all employees who are connected in some way or the other with the hazardous chemicals become thoroughly familiar with the data sheets and labels.  This is necessary because the old data sheets focused on hazard definitions that were not detailed. The new HazCom goes into more details about physical, health and environmental hazards with specifics on severity of impacts of the chemicals according to their classification and sub-classification.

The changes may also call for testing based on hazard assessment in which case too ICSDS proves helpful with its professional team of knowledgeable experts providing assistance to help manufacturers do it right and comply with regulations while taking care of safety of employees. This goes hand in hand with product composition reviews and assessment of all raw materials.

As can be seen, updating old MSDS to new SDS may appear straightforward and simple, which it is in many cases. It is only where new information is available and where chemicals have been reclassified that a new SDS needs to be prepared with relevant labels and training programs. In this area ICSDS excels and helps manufacturers/distributors overcome the compliance barrier. Training conducted side by side helps employees re-evaluate a product and take precautions. Transforming printed data sheets to electronic formats is part of the process that gives users easy access even while they are on the shop floor, something they may not find easy to do with paper documents. ICSDS can claim with pride that its involvement has helped save lives and prevent injuries at workplaces.

Assure Total GHS Implementation for EU with Professional Assistance

Though the Globally Harmonized System aims at harmony and uniformity in the safe handling, storage and disposal of chemicals, implementation vary from one country to another since they are free to adopt any revision and adopt it in full or part and add further regulations as they may seem fit. This is exactly what countries of the European Union have done. In addition to opting for version 4 of GHS (the latest, 6^th, likely to be implemented in the near future), EU countries also follow EU REACH and CLP regulations. It is mandatory for any chemical company to submit documentation in compliance with their regulations. 

REACH places the burden of GHS implementation on companies to identify and manage risks. It is not only risks related to handling, processing, storage, use and transport but also the safety of downstream user, disposal and effect on environment that is taken into consideration in the EU through REACH. The strange thing about REACH is that an exporter from the US or any other country is not bound by the regulations but the importer in the EU is required to comply with the pre-registration or registration process. This, however, does not absolve exporters because importers will only do business if an exporter is REACH compliant. Also, if quantities involved are below 10 tonnes per annum, some clauses may not apply but for quantities above 1 tonne, it is mandatory. Still, however, regardless of quantities involved, if any manufacturer-exporter wishes to do business in the EU, he must comply with REACH and CLP and this calls for exhaustive and detailed documentation. Now, in addition to the safeguards for storage, use, handling and transport, documentation must also include measures for protection of human health and environment safety through safe disposal advice.  Documents must be in the language of the country to which chemicals are exported. The REACH compliant SDS must be translated in a way that avoids any ambiguity, calling for specialized knowledge of local languages and usages in the countries forming part of the EU. 

 

A company in the US may not have a specific importer-distributor in the EU who is willing to undertake the process. In this case, registration becomes difficult. However, hiring expert GHS implementation companies resolves the issue since they appoint a local representative to carry out the process. 

Why is it so important in the EU? The simple fact is that downstream users are forbidden from using any chemical unless it has an accompanying safety data sheet on use and disposal. Therefore, even if it is a simple cleaning agent or paint or solvent, the product must be REACH compliant and must have the documentation if it is to be sold and bought within the EU and the documentation must be in the local language. This seems a formidable barrier but it becomes easy when one has access to experienced professionals well aware of all REACH regulations and the capability to comply as well as translate documents.

The importance of International Chemical Safety Data Solution Services

The Globally Harmonized System is one of the most necessary aspects for any business that deals in chemicals. The GHS System helps us categorize and label all the relevant information about the existing workplace and chemical hazards that might potentially occur. According to an initiation lay down by the United Nations the customers or workers need to be aware of all of the impending dangers of the products available in the consumer market. Before the GHS was implemented various countries had their own methods of systemization but with the GHS in place, there is a uniform standard that needs to be followed and it has made chemical safety very consistent.  Getting an International Chemical Safety Data Solution Service is essential for any organization to make sure that they are following all the regulations set by the GHS system and it helps deal with the hazardous threats that these chemicals might pose.

The need for an International Chemical Safety Data Solution Service can be traced back to the GHS hazard classification which helps organizations stick to one universal labeling systemization for an effective measure to prevent harmful chemicals being used in consumer products. There are various databases and systems that formulate the entire GHS system and having a safety data solution helps organizations ensure that they are properly carrying out all the tests and analysis necessary to stick to the guidelines laid out by the GHS.

Having a Chemical Safety Data Solution Service ensures that all the parameters including physical, environmental and health hazards are taken care of. Let’s take a look at what any organization stands to gain if they adopt our Data Solution Services.

•    We offer adequate reporting for all chemical safety parameters to ensure all of the GHS guidelines are being followed.

•    Our reports are filed in very easy to understand language and they can be comprehended by all. The terms we use can easily be searched for in the internet and we make sure our reports are available to all in lucid language to ensure there are no communication problems.

•    We make sure that all the compliances are taken care of and our reports can be prepared in any language that our clients need.

•    All of our compliance papers and other documents that we generate are very helpful in the generation of chemical labels to serve as a certification of compliance.

•    We offer indexed storage of data that is accumulated from multiple sources and we also keep backups to ensure we can work on future projects with our clients. They can feel free to access a relational database to check any kind of analysis that we do and make sure that all compliance requirements are met.

•    Full time access to the GHS documentation through cyber access. If our clients need digital copies of the documentation then they can get access to it all whenever they want.

These are some of the key advantages that we offer as an organization. Some of the other key services we offer include DS authoring, reformats, hazards assessment and classification as well as top tier communication consulting.