New SDS (Safety Data Sheet) Labels Required by OSHA

You’re most likely familiar with MSDS Sheets (Material Safety Data Sheets) that are required primarily for our maintenance personnel. The MSDS and SDS (Safety Data Sheets) are basically the same; however, there are some important differences.

On March 20, 2012 OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Director Dr. David Michaels announced a new initiative to revise the Hazardous Communication Standards (OSHA 1910.1200).  This new program is the Global Harmonization System.  In order to improve chemical safety worldwide, GHS was developed and introduced by the United Nations to help improve the way the international community identifies and communicates the level of hazard associated with chemicals.

Not only will GHS help create a safer work environment by reducing workplace accidents and injuries caused by chemical exposures, it will enable employers and employees to more quickly obtain and understand the information about the hazards of the chemicals they’re being exposed to.

The new SDSs have 16 sections listing specific information.  The MSDSs had only 7-10 sections.  Each label will have pictograms (symbols) and signal words (such as “Danger” or “Warning”) to identify the severity of the hazard, as well as hazard statements that describe their nature.

By December 1, 2013 all employees should be trained about the new GHS changes in the chemical labeling and the new SDSs.  By December 1, 2015 all employers that use, handle or store chemicals must ensure that the chemical containers include the new GHS labels (containing the signal word, pictogram, hazard statement and precautionary statement).

The main reason OSHA instituted the GHS is to simplify and standardize the communication of hazards to improve chemical safety.  For the Guide to The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), go to: https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/ghs.html