Hazard Communication has changed!

The?Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)?recently announced a final rule updating the?Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)?to better protect workers and first responders. Here are the key changes introduced by this update, which takes effect on?July 19, 2024:

1. Updated Hazard Classes and Classification Criteria: Revised hazard classifications for?aerosols,?desensitized explosives,?flammable gases, and?chemicals under pressure?(a new category within the aerosols class).
2. Labeling Allowances and Requirements for Small Containers: Manufacturers of chemicals in?small containers?(100 mL or less) can use abbreviated shipped container label information on the immediate container. Manufacturers of?very small containers?(3 mL or less) can put only the product identifier on the immediate container if a label would interfere with its use. The outer packaging must have full shipped container label information, and the label must instruct users to keep the small or very small containers in the outer packaging when not in use.
3. Labeling Provisions for Containers “Released for Shipment”: Manufacturers, importers, or distributors who become aware of new significant hazard information do not need to relabel chemical products already released for shipment (bundled, palletized, etc.).
4. Updated Criteria for Classifying Chemicals: Chemical manufacturers must consider intrinsic properties, including hazards due to known or anticipated downstream uses, when classifying their products. These details should be included in?Section 2?of the Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
5. Updated Information Requirements for SDSs: Several changes to information required on SDSs, including the addition of?“particle characteristics”?to?Section 9. Clarification that?Section 1?must contain domestic contact information. Updated instructions for chemical manufacturers to include in?Section 2?of SDSs.
6. Expanded Classification Methods for Some Chemicals: The updated standard provides more comprehensive and accurate hazard information on labels and safety data sheets. It also addresses issues that arose since the implementation of the 2012 standard and improves alignment with other federal agencies and Canada.

The?Hazard Communication Standard?has been in place since?1983, providing a standardized approach to workplace hazard communications associated with exposure to hazardous chemicals.?

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