When the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) revised the United States Hazard Communication Law (Ref: US 29 CFR 1910.1200) in May of 2012, it set off an avalanche of change in the Environmental, Health, and Safety (EH&S) circles of American industry. Virtually every manufacturing and service industry will be involved in one aspect or…
US Federal Railroad Administration’s Emergency Action after Canadian Hazmat Train Derailment
At approximately 1:15 AM EST on July 6th, 2013, a unit freight train of the cross-border operating Montreal, Maine, & Atlantic Railroad (MM&A) loaded with crude oil from the Bakken Shale Formations in North Dakota in the western United States suffered an as-yet unexplained failure of its automatic and manual braking systems while left unattended…
Comparing HazCom 2012 & NFPA 704 Workplace Labeling
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have collaborated to provide guidance on workplace labeling in light of the changes brought by OSHA’s alignment with the United Nation’s GHS labeling protocol. The result of the collaboration is the release of a new NFPA/OSHA Quick Card, which is designed…
The Impact of GHS and the Revised Hazard Communication Standard on Laboratories
According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. laboratories employ more than a half-million workers. There are many recognized hazards associated with the laboratory environment; therefore, both OSHA and industry have taken steps to guard workers from potential chemical exposure. Many individuals are already aware that OSHA implemented a major revision to the U.S.…
Supply Chain Issues Related to Hazardous Materials Cost Wal-Mart More Than $82 Million
A recent plea agreement by Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is a stark reminder of the fines and penalties retailers face if they improperly handle and transport hazardous materials. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Tuesday that Wal-Mart pled guilty in cases involving the illegal handling and disposing of hazardous materials at retail stores across…
White Paper: GHS Impact on U.S. Chemical Manufacturers – Regulatory Changes and Practical Guidance
Chemical manufacturers bear the brunt of changes brought about in OSHA’s 2012 Hazard Communication Standard. With the first deadline approaching, which requires employee training be completed by December 1, 2013, the meticulous work of classifying chemicals, compiling data for publication in the new safety data sheet format and changing labels is just beginning for U.S.…
Recent Modifications and Revisions to the GHS-Based Hazard Communication Rule
In March 2012, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration promulgated a major revision to the U.S. Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) in 29 CFR 1910.1200. In short, this rulemaking harmonized the HCS with the UN-based Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The rule went into effect in May of last year. To…
First Compliance Date Looms for OSHA’s 2012 Hazard Communication Standard
The 2012 changes to the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration brought the United States into alignment with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). According to the final rule, the GHS/HCS compliance requirements will be phased in over a four-year period. The first compliance date,…
GHS: Learning the Ropes
Much of the “buzz” in the U.S. regulatory community this year, at least in hazard communication, has been about a three letter acronym that may still be a mystery to many: “GHS.” What does this acronym stand for, and how will it affect you and your company as it relates to hazard communication? One thing…
Summary of USPS Publication 52: Shipping Lithium Batteries
United States Parcel Service (USPS) published a notice in the Federal Register that describes revisions to USPS Publication 52, Hazardous Restricted, and Perishable Mail. These revisions closely align USPS requirements for shipping lithium cells and batteries with those found in both the U.S. D.O.T. and international regulations.