Operating Engineer - Winter 2015

HAZMAT
Deadline for Revised Hazard Communication Standard
Fast Approaching
THE NEXT DEADLINE for the revised Hazard
Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), which was
published on March 26, 2012, is approaching fast. The
deadline is June 1, 2015. This is the date by which the Hazard
Communication Standard will require new Safety Data Sheets
(formerly Material Safety Data Sheets) to be in a uniform
format and include specific section numbers, headings, and
associated information. Employers were required to train
their employees on the revised Hazard Communication
Standard, including Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of
Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, by December 1,
2013. Training should have included the new label elements
and safety data sheet (SDS) format.
The employer must ensure the Safety Data Sheets are
readily accessible to employees for all hazardous chemicals
in their workplace. The SDS is now required to be presented
in a consistent, user-friendly 16-section format. Sections 1
through 8 contain general information about the chemical
and sections 9 through 11 and 16 contain other technical and
scientific information. While the SDS must contain sections
12 through 15, to be consistent with the UN GHS, OSHA
will not enforce the content of these sections because they
concern matters handled by other agencies.
phone number, recommended use, restrictions on use.
Section 2: Hazard(s) Identification: includes all hazards
regarding the chemical; required label elements (hazard
classification, signal word, pictograms, precautionary
statement(s), description of any hazards not otherwise
classified).
Section 3: Composition/Information on Ingredients:
chemical name, synonyms, chemical abstract service number
and other unique identifiers, impurities and stabilizing
additives; trade secret claims.
Section 4: First-aid Measures: important symptoms
and effects, acute and delayed first-aid instruction by route
of exposure, recommendations for immediate medical care
and special treatment needed.
Section 5: Fire-fighting Measures: suitable extinguishing
techniques, equipment, chemical hazards from the fire;
recommendations for special protective equipment or
precautions for firefighters.
Section 6: Accidental Release Measures: lists emergency
procedures; protective equipment; proper methods of
containment and cleanup.
The 16-section Safety Data Sheet will consist of the
following:
Section 1: Identification: product identifier used on
label (any other common name or synonym), manufacturer
or distributor name, address, phone number, emergency
Section 7: Handling and Storage: lists precautions
for safe handling and storage, including incompatibilities;
provides advice on specific storage requirements.
Section 8: Exposure Controls / Personal Protection: lists
OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL); Threshold Limit
Value (TLV); appropriate engineering controls, personal
protective equipment (PPE).
18 INTERNATIONAL OPERATING ENGINEER