HazCom Resources

Co-Chair: Sharen Breyer
Co-Chair: Troy Azzivitto
Board Liaison: Paul Brigandi

Identify hazard communication resource materials and sources of information for the development of material safety data sheets, hazard labels and other related documents. Monitor activities in this area and communicate this information to the membership.

Resources for Members-Only

Committee News:

Final Annex VIII to CLP published - 3/22/2017

The European Commission has published the long awaited piece of legislation relating to poison centres. COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2017/542 of 22nd March 2017 amending Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 can be accessed here. It enters into force on the 12th April 2017 and applies from 1st January 2020.

PHMSA and OSHA Clarify Requirements for Labeling Hazardous Chemicals for Bulk Shipments - 9/19/2016

Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today issued a joint guidance memorandum clarifying the applicability of their respective requirements for labeling hazardous chemicals. The joint memo provides an overview of each agency’s scope of authority, and guidance on the applicability of PHMSA and OSHA labeling requirements with an emphasis on bulk packaging used in transportation and in the workplace. With reference to this guidance, labeling includes all DOT placarding, signs, and other markings. PHMSA labeling requirements may be found in the U.S. Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 100-180), and OSHA labeling requirements may be found in the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 2012; 29 CFR § 1910.1200). For more information on DOT's efforts to improve hazardous materials safety and awareness, or to access U.S. Hazardous Materials Regulations, visit the PHMSA website at www.phmsa.dot.gov. Contact for media: Artealia Gilliard (202)366-4831

Direct link to PDF: http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/PHMSA/DownloadableFiles/Files/joint_phmsa_memo_09192016.pdf

OECD announces that the Chemical Hazards Database of the European Food Safety Authority is now linked to eChemPortal.

This database links to all EFSA’s publications dealing with risk assessments of chemicals in food and feed since its creation in 2002. These include all Scientific Opinions, statements and EFSA’s conclusion on pesticides performed by its Scientific Panels, the Scientific Committee and units.

OSHA releases new document:

02/12/2016
Hazard Classification Guidance for Manufacturers, Importers and Employers.

New OSHA LOI Concerning Export Import - November 2015

12/08/2015
We are excited to provide you a recently released Letter of Interpretation (LOI) from OSHA regarding imports and exports. We have received permission from both the inquirer (American Coatings Association (ACA)) and the responder OSHA to provide this to you as this is not yet available on the OSHA website.

Revised Guidelines on good labelling practice for pesticides [2015]

09/15/2015
FAO and WHO JMPM Secretariats announced the joint FAO and WHO, 2015 E-publication of the “Revised Guidelines on good labelling practice for pesticides” [2015]. The revised guideline can be downloaded from the AGP – Pest and Pesticide Management website at the following: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i4854e.pdf

Health Canada Issues Guidance

08/12/2015
Health Canada (HC) has developed guidance, with support from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (U.S. OSHA), to provide suppliers and importers with guidance on requirements related to ingredient disclosure and the use of concentrations and concentration ranges on safety data sheets (SDSs) as specified under the Hazardous Products Regulations. Now available are the Health Canada Guidance on Disclosure of Ingredient Concentrations and Concentration Ranges on Safety Data Sheets [English version] [French version] and the companion document Comparison of Ingredient Concentration Disclosure and CBI Protection Requirements [English version] [French version]. Health Canada will continue to collaborate with U.S. OSHA in support of its RCC objectives and work with stakeholders to clarify requirements and to facilitate alignment on issues related to GHS implementation. Questions/Concerns may be directed to WHMIS_SIMDUT@hc-sc.gc.ca

OSHA Issues Compliance Directive

07/20/2015
On July 20, 2015, OSHA published its long awaited compliance directive CPL 02-02-079, titled "Inspection Procedures for the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 2012)". You can access the document HERE. NOTE: There are missing sections starting on page 64 of this document - "Requirements of Specific Sections of the SDS". SCHC contacted OSHA and here is their reply: “The "missing" sections were omitted on purpose because there were no interpretive information needed for those sections.”

Z129.1-2010 is available from ANSI

04/08/2013
Z400.1/Z129.1-2010 is the combined Hazardous Workplace Chemicals - Hazard Evaluation and Safety Data Sheet and Precautionary Labeling Preparation. The standard, is available from ANSI for $88.

OSHA Issues New Resource To Protect Emergency Workers at Combustible Dust Fires

04/03/2013
Read the OSHA trade release here.

Download Firefighting Precautions at Facilities with Combustible Dust

Hazard Communication Translation Resources

08/28/2008
The document Hazard Communication Translation Resources has recently been updated to version 4 by the HazCom Resources Committee.

Published Research on the Comprehensibility of Chemical Hazard Warning Labels and MSDSs

08/19/2008

This is a list of citations of published research that addresses hazard communication comprehensibility.
Note: The Hazcom Resources Committee comprehensibility document has been updated and expanded (Spring 2014). The updated document is in the SCHC MEMBERS-ONLY, Member Hazcom Resources web page. (Login required.)

GHS Symbol Library

08/19/2008
GHS symbols in color and in black & white can be viewed here. Versions suitable for download and printing are provided by the UNECE, here.

New Version of Hazard Communication References

Download the latest version of the Hazard Communication References prepared by the SCHC HazCom Resources Committee.

Hazard Communication Links

Disclaimer: Links to the sites are only provided as a convenience to viewers. As with any public information available on the Internet, you must decide for yourself whether the information is accurate or useful for your purposes.

Please let us know if you find errors on the links to the sites listed below. If you are aware of sites not listed, please submit the information for review; it appropriate, it will be added to the web site.

Important HazCom Links

EPA Worker Protection Standard - revised 11/02/2015
This final rule addresses significant changes to agricultural employee training, hazard communication, field re-entry and personal protective equipment requirements. The final rule is effective 1-Jan-2016 and most aspects are required to be implemented by 2-Jan-2017.

Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS):
Purple Book - 6th revised edition
Purple Book - 5th revised edition
Purple Book – 4th revised edition
Purple Book – 3rd revised edition - This is the version upon which OSHA’s HCS2012 is based.

OSHA/EPA Occupational Chemical Database
OSHA and EPA jointly developed a new Occupational Chemical Database to provide a convenient reference for the occupational safety and health community. This database compiles information from several government agencies and organizations. Available database reports include: "Physical Properties," "Exposure Guidelines," "NIOSH Pocket Guide," and "Emergency Response Information," including the DOT Emergency Response Guide. In addition, an all-in-one report, "Full Report," is available.

ECB - Classification and Labelling
The classification and labelling work area provides technical and scientific support to Member State Authorities and Commission Services (mainly DG ENV.C.3) concerning the hazard classification and labelling of pesticides, biocides and new and existing chemicals.

Australian National Occupational Health and Safety Commission Hazardous Substances Information System (HSIS)
The Australian HSIS is a searchable database containing information on hazardous substances that have been classified in accordance with the Australian Approved Criteria for Classifying Hazardous Substances [NOHSC:1008(2004] 3rd Edition and/or have National Exposure Standards declared under the NOHSC Adopted National Exposure Standards for Atmospheric Contaminants in the Occupational Environment [NOHSC:1003(1995)] or subsequent updates.

The HSIS provides access to two data sets, one for hazardous substance information and the other for exposure standard information. The data for substances that are common to both data sets are linked. Both data sets can be searched using a range of search criteria. Search results (including the full data sets) can be printed or saved electronically. HSIS includes about 3500 hazardous substance records and 680 exposure standard records.

Health Canada’s GHS Page
Health Canada’s page of resources and links concerning Canada’s implementation of the Globally Harmonized System.

British Chemical Hazards Communication Society
The Society aims to provide information and training guidance to as many individuals as possible involved with the complexity of chemical hazards regulations and international codes.

Canada’s Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
WHMIS is Canada’s national information system the objective of which is to protect Canadian workers by providing safety and health information about hazardous workplace materials. The [WHMIS] Controlled Products Regulations, established under the Hazardous Products Act administered by Health Canada, specifies criteria for the classification and hazard communication (MSDS and label) required for workplace chemicals sold or imported in Canada.

The website contains information that may help suppliers who wish to market their products in Canada to familiarize themselves with the requirements prior to exportation.

EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics
This is EPA's Chemical Testing & Information site. Under TSCA, EPA has broad authority to issue regulations designed to gather health/safety and exposure information on, require testing of, and control exposure to chemical substances and mixtures. This EPA section provides updates on this activity.

Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC)
IOMC is the Coordinating Group for the Harmonization of Chemical Classification Systems (CG/HCCS); it is a cooperative agreement among UNEP, ILO (International Labor Office), FAO, WHO (World Health Organization), UNIDO, and OECD.

International Chemical Safety Cards are now available. When you get to the page, just scroll down to the near the bottom and select one of the Index links. From the Index page, just select the chemical for which you want information; that will take you to the information card for the chemical. This is a good source of summary information about specific chemicals.

OSHA Instruction, Directive Number CPL 2-2.38D, "Inspection Procedures for the Hazard Communication Standard." This instruction establishes policies and provides clarifications to ensure uniform enforcement of the hazard Comunication Standard.

The OSHA Hazard Communication page is a good starting point for all of your OSHA hazard communication information and references; it gives you a consolidated reference point of hazard communication. You'll find information such as the Hazard Communication Standard Fact Sheet of 1993, the NACOSH Report, and OSHA Standards.

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