Highlights:

Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals Hazard Communication


The standard that gave workers the right to know, now gives them the right to understand.

Safety & Health Topics Page: Hazard Communication

Labeling     Safety Data Sheets     Pictograms     Effective Dates

Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health David Michaels
Dr. David Michaels discusses the publication of the Final Rule for Hazard Communication
[Video | Statement]
"Exposure to hazardous chemicals is one of the most serious threats facing American workers today," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis. "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 Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is now aligned with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). This update to the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) will provide a common and coherent approach to classifying chemicals and communicating hazard information on labels and safety data sheets. Once implemented, the revised standard will improve the quality and consistency of hazard information in the workplace, making it safer for workers by providing easily understandable information on appropriate handling and safe use of hazardous chemicals. This update will also help reduce trade barriers and result in productivity improvements for American businesses that regularly handle, store, and use hazardous chemicals while providing cost savings for American businesses that periodically update safety data sheets and labels for chemicals covered under the hazard communication standard.


Hazard Communication Standard

In order to ensure chemical safety in the workplace, information about the identities and hazards of the chemicals must be available and understandable to workers. OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires the development and dissemination of such information:

  • Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import, and prepare labels and safety data sheets to convey the hazard information to their downstream customers;
  • All employers with hazardous chemicals in their workplaces must have labels and safety data sheets for their exposed workers, and train them to handle the chemicals appropriately.

Major changes to the Hazard Communication Standard

  • Hazard classification: Provides specific criteria for classification of health and physical hazards, as well as classification of mixtures.
  • Labels: Chemical manufacturers and importers will be required to provide a label that includes a harmonized signal word, pictogram, and hazard statement for each hazard class and category. Precautionary statements must also be provided.
  • Safety Data Sheets: Will now have a specified 16-section format.
  • Information and training: Employers are required to train workers by December 1, 2013 on the new labels elements and safety data sheets format to facilitate recognition and understanding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the Globally Harmonized System?

Q. Why did OSHA decide to modify the Hazard Communication Standard to adopt the GHS?

Q. What is the phase-in period in the revised Hazard Communication Standard?

Q. Why must training be conducted prior to the compliance effective date?

Q. What are the major changes to the Hazard Communication Standard?

Q. What Hazard Communication Standard provisions are unchanged in the revised HCS?

Q. How will chemical hazard evaluation change under the revised Hazard Communication Standard?

Q. How will labels change under the revised Hazard Communication Standard?

Q. What pictograms are required in the revised Hazard Communication Standard? What hazard does each identify?

Q. Can I use a black border on pictograms for domestic shipment?

Q. Will OSHA allow blank red borders?

Q. When must label information be updated?

Q. How will workplace labeling provisions be changing under the revised Hazard Communication Standard?

Q. How is the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) changing under the revised Hazard Communication Standard?

Q. Will TLVs be required on the Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?

Q. May the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP) lists be used to make carcinogen classifications?

Q. Will the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP) classifications be required on the Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?

Q. How has OSHA addressed hazards covered under the current Hazard Communication Standard that have not been addressed by the GHS?

Q. How has OSHA addressed pyrophoric gases, simple asphyxiants, and combustible dust?

Q: How many businesses and workers would be affected by the revised Hazard Communication Standard?

Q: What are the estimated overall costs for industry to comply with the revised Hazard Communication Standard?

Q: What are the estimated benefits attributable to the revised Hazard Communication Standard?

Q. I understand that the United Nations revises the GHS every two years. How will OSHA manage and communicate changes to the Hazard Communication Standard?

OSHA's Complete Set of Question and Answers

Provisional agenda and addendum for the twenty-fifth session

Joint Public Meeting: Preparations for the 43rd Session of the United Nations Transport of Dangerous Goods Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCOE TDG) and 25th Session of the UN Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)

DATE: Wednesday, June 12, 2013; 9:00 am - 5:00 p.m.

ADDRESS: The meeting will be held at the DOT Headquarters, West Building, Conference Rooms 8-10, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590.

REGISTRATION: Attendees may pre-register for this meeting by completing the form at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HXYYCP6. Attendees may choose to attend either or both meetings. Failure to pre-register may delay your access to the building. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to allow time for security checks necessary to obtain access to the building.

Conference Call Capability:
Conference call-in number is: (888)-675-2535
Participant Access Code: 3614708

Live Meeting Attendee:
https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/phmsa/join?id=S9WHWS&role=attend&pw=hp%5B2%3A%7D%22JK

PHMSA Meeting:

Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2013; 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon.

Address: The meeting will be held at the DOT Headquarters, West Building, Conference Rooms 8-10, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. See registration details above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Shane Kelley, Senior International Transportation Specialist, Office of Hazardous Materials Safety, Department of Transportation, Washington, DC 20590; (202) 366-0656.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The primary purpose of this meeting will be to prepare for the 43rd session of the UNSCOE TDG. The 43rd session of the UNSCOE TDG is the first of four meetings scheduled for the 2013-2014 biennium. The UNSCOE will consider proposals for the 19th Revised Edition of the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods Model Regulations which will be implemented within relevant domestic, regional, and international regulations from January 1, 2015. Copies of proposals and the meeting agenda may be obtained from the United Nations Transport Division's Web site at: http://www.unece.org/trans/main/dgdb/dgsubc3/c32013.html.

AGENDA TOPICS: Explosives and related matters; Listing, classification and packing; Electric storage systems; Miscellaneous proposals of amendments to the Model Regulations; Cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Global harmonization of transport of dangerous goods regulations; and Guiding principles for the Model Regulations.

PHMSA Meeting:

Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2013; 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon.

Address: The meeting will be held at the DOT Headquarters, West Building, Conference Rooms 8-10, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. See registration details above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Shane Kelley, Senior International Transportation Specialist, Office of Hazardous Materials Safety, Department of Transportation, Washington, DC 20590; (202) 366-0656.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The primary purpose of this meeting will be to prepare for the 43rd session of the UNSCOE TDG. The 43rd session of the UNSCOE TDG is the first of four meetings scheduled for the 2013-2014 biennium. The UNSCOE will consider proposals for the 19th Revised Edition of the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods Model Regulations which will be implemented within relevant domestic, regional, and international regulations from January 1, 2015. Copies of proposals and the meeting agenda may be obtained from the United Nations Transport Division's Web site at: http://www.unece.org/trans/main/dgdb/dgsubc3/c32013.html.

AGENDA TOPICS: Explosives and related matters; Listing, classification and packing; Electric storage systems; Miscellaneous proposals of amendments to the Model Regulations; Cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Global harmonization of transport of dangerous goods regulations; and Guiding principles for the Model Regulations.

OSHA Meeting:

Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2013; 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Address: The meeting will be held at the DOT Headquarters, West Building, Conference Rooms 8-10, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. See registration details above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Maureen Ruskin, Office of Chemical Hazards-Metals, OSHA Directorate of Standards and Guidance, Department of Labor, Washington, DC 20210; (202) 693-1950.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OSHA is hosting an open informal public meeting of the U.S. Interagency GHS Coordinating Group to provide interested groups and individuals with an update on GHS-related issues and an opportunity to express their views orally and in writing for consideration in developing U.S. Government positions for the upcoming UNSCEGHS meeting. Interested stakeholders may also provide input on issues related to OSHA's activities in the U.S. - Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) at the meeting. Copies of proposals and the meeting agenda may be obtained from the United Nations Transport Division's Web site at: http://www.unece.org/trans/main/dgdb/dgsubc4/c42013.html.

AGENDA TOPICS: Review of Working papers, Review of 2013-2014 Program of work; Working Group updates; Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) Update.

Federal Register Notice [PDF*]

Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)
Globally Harmonized System of Classification
and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)
[Third revised edition | Fourth revised edition]
Accessibility Assistance: Contact OSHA's Directorate of Standards and Guidance at (202) 693-1950 for assistance accessing DOC, EPS, GIF, MP4, PDF or PPT documents.

*These files are provided for downloading.