Chemicals

1.       Saves Time 2.       Saves Money 3.       It’s Efficient 4.       Sustainability 5.       Risk Reduction It would be easy to think that most companies choose to manage their safety data sheets (MSDSs and SDSs) electronically because they are concerned with OSHA compliance or the transition to GHS. However, the truth is, most companies choose electronic management […]

OSHA discussed the use of HMIS and NFPA labels during a Webinar on HazCom 2012 today. The main focus of the presentation was preparing employers for meeting the Dec. 1, 2013 training deadline and answering implementation questions OSHA’s received in the last year since the HazCom Standard was revised first implemented. Jennifer Lawless, directorate of […]

What Is Acetone? Acetone, also known as propanone, is a clear, colorless liquid that is highly flammable. It is not necessarily a household word, but this will ring a bell: nail polish remover. Acetone is also used as a degreaser, for thinning fiber glass resin, and helps remove adhesives and vinyl resins. While it is […]

Now that OSHA has revised its Hazard Communication Standard to align with GHS, the big question many employers, chemical manufacturers and distributors have is, “Can I continue to use NFPA and HMIS systems and labels?” The short answer is yes. However, whether or not they should (or will even want to over the long run) […]

State of Washington Updates HazCom Program The State of Washington officially joined the GHS bandwagon on April 15, 2013. State OSHA plans must have standards that are at least on par with Federal OSHA guidelines. To that end, Washington is amending its state Hazard Communication laws. The phase in period for Washington is as follows: […]

When we think about dangerous workplaces, nail salons and beauty shops don’t immediately come to mind; however, maybe they should. Many products used in the giving of manicures and pedicures often contain chemicals with well-known health effects. Nail salon employees are especially at risk given their long-term exposure and/or their exposure to high concentrations of […]

In case you missed it, be sure to check out this mixed media article from the New York Times (NYT) titled, “As OSHA Emphasizes Safety, Long-Term Health Risks Fester.” Written by Ian Urbina, the piece spotlights worker exposure to an extremely harmful chemical called nPB or n-propyl bromide, which can cause severe nerve damage when […]

This week, OSHA published additional information to help companies get a jump on training employees for the Dec. 1, 2013 HazCom 2012 deadline. That is the date by which employees must be trained on the new label elements and safety data sheet formats. You can access the Training Requirements document here: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3642.pdf Information on labels […]

All eyes are on Canada this spring, as a proposal to align WHMIS with the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System, or GHS for short, is expected to be published in Canada Gazette I, maybe as soon as March 2013. Whenever it happens, it will officially put Canada on the final road to GHS implementation. Canada […]

Here are some recent – and not so recent – OSHA activities we’ve been tracking. As well as a couple of news headlines that have caught our attention. RECENT NEWS New Websites and Safety Guides Announced by OSHA In the last couple of months, OSHA has promoted several new websites and guides intended to educate […]