Chemicals

The 2016 NAEM Report, Planning for a Sustainable Future, was just released and VelocityEHS has your complimentary copy for download. The report, featuring candid interviews with over 20 EHS and sustainability leaders from an array of industries, provides a snapshot of sustainability efforts today and a look at what trends will be important in coming […]

OSHA has released a new guide intended to help businesses accurately identify and classify hazards associated with their chemicals, as required by HazCom 2012. The guide—Hazard Classification Guidance for Manufacturers, Importers, and Employers—is available for free on OSHA’s website. It provides review of the classification requirements under GHS, provides expanded definitions and distinctions, and also […]

As we move toward full adoption of GHS in the United States, OSHA continues to issue letters of interpretation (LOI) to clear up grey areas and answer questions posed by stakeholders. VelocityEHS regularly provides updates on these letters, and gives readers actionable information that companies can use to prepare for new guidance in enforcement policy […]

An explosion earlier this month at a Dow Chemical facility in North Andover, Massachusetts has renewed interest in the safe handling and storage of trimethylaluminum and similar compounds. Trimethylaluminum is used industrially in the manufacture of products ranging from semiconductors to plastics to solar cells to LED lights. It is also used to create primary […]

What is Multipurpose Lubricant? Available in a variety of brand names, multipurpose lubricant, also known as penetrant spray, has been used for over 60 years. The multiuse spray has a variety of uses in both home and commercial settings. This product is most commonly used to: Remove dirt, grease, grime, and residue from many surfaces […]

OSHA is readying to publish a new Letter of Interpretation that provides a further explanation of labeling rules for importing and exporting hazardous chemicals under the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 2012). OSHA issued the letter as a response to an inquiry from the American Coatings Association (ACA) around labeling best practices for goods that will be […]

The December 1, 2015 OSHA deadline has now passed for all distributors of hazardous chemicals to begin sending only GHS-labeled products and safety data sheets. What does this mean for American workplaces?  Well, theoretically, now every hazardous material that ships will feature the new GHS-compliant labels. However, in practice, it’s likely the case that many […]

What is Ammonia? Ammonia is a colorless gas with a characteristically pungent odor. One of the most common industrial chemicals in the U.S., ammonia is used primarily as an agricultural fertilizer. Other uses for ammonia include: Potential Ammonia Health Hazards Ammonia gas reacts instantly with the moisture in the skin, eyes, mouth, and respiratory tract […]

What is Xylene? Xylene is a colorless liquid chemical with a somewhat greasy consistency. This chemical is present in small quantities in gasoline and other fuels, comprising approximately 0.5-1% of crude oil. Millions of tons of xylene are produced each year, as the chemical is used as a solvent in the printing, leather, and rubber […]

This month, Mexico announced that it has made GHS alignment mandatory beginning in 2018. The official announcement, published in the Official Journal of the Federation of Mexico, states that during the three-year phase-in period, older standards can continue to be used. Mexico based its alignment on Revision 5 (Rev. 5) of the GHS, first published […]