An important change in the newly revised OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)is:

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The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)(29 CFR 1910.1200(g))requires that the chemical manufacturer,distributor,or importer provide safety data sheets (SDSs),formerly material safety data sheets (MSDSs),for each hazardous chemical to downstream users to communicate information on these hazards.
 As with the current standard,the new HCS requires chemical manufacturers and importers to evaluate the chemicals they produce or import and provide hazard information to employers and workers by putting labels on containers and preparing SDSs.The modified standard provides a single set of harmonized criteria for classifying chemicals according to their health and physical hazards and specifies hazard communication elements for labeling and SDSs.Employers must ensure that SDSs are readily accessible to employees.
 The major changes to the HCS include the following:
 1.Hazard classification: Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to determine the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import.Hazard classification under the new,updated standard provides specific criteria to address health and physical hazards as well as classification of chemical mixtures.
 2.Labels: Chemical manufacturers and importers must provide a label that includes a signal word,pictogram,hazard statement,and precautionary statement for each hazard class and category.
 3.Safety data sheets: The new SDS format requires 16 specific sections,ensuring consistency in presentation of important protection information.
 4.Information and training: To facilitate understanding of the new system,the new standard requires that workers be trained by December 1,2013,and beyond for specified requirements.
 The Hazard Communication Standard in 1983 gave the workers the "right to know," but the new Globally Harmonized System gives workers the "right to understand."

An Important Change in the Newly Revised OSHA Hazard Communication