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Haz Comm Secondary Label
SAFETY REQUIREMENT
In 2012, the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)
was updated to the
Globally Harmonized System
(GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemi-
cals
. The changes re-formatted Material Safety Data
Sheet (MSDS) to Safety Data Sheets (SDS) in a
standardized 16 Section format so that employees
can more easily access information on chemicals in
the workplace. The process of converting to the SDS
format has been progressing slowly. By now employ-
ees should have been trained on the newest format.
The next deadline for compliance is the June 1,
2016 requirement for employers to have all MSDS
changed to SDS and container labels in place that
are also in SDS format.
Tank labels will need to
contain six elements; 1)
Product Identifier (Name of
the Chemical); 2) Signal words (Danger or Warning or
None); 3) Pictograms; 4) Hazard Statements; 5) Pre-
cautionary Statements; 6) Company Information. Em-
ployers are required to train Employees on these new
elements and the new GHS pictograms. The infor-
mation has been and will be included in future training
modules of the Safety Subscription.
The OSHA requirements DO NOT include the NFPA
(National Fire Protection Association) fire diamond
system of hazard identification because the OSHA
update aligned with the United Nations global initia-
tive and the NFPA is a national system used in the
U.S. Use of the fire diamond is still a requirement by
the local fire departments.
Ideally the tank
labels used at
an automotive
salvage facility
will meet all of
the standards
required such
the new OSHA
SDS secondary
label format,
waste identifica-
tion for EPA
and state’s
Department of
Natural Re-
source require-
ments as well
as the NFPA
warning. The
chemicals
should be dura-
ble, chemical
resistant and
weatherproof if tanks are located outdoors.
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Recyclers News Press