GHS Hazard Communication Training

GHS Hazard Communication Training

Are you aware that it is estimated by OSHA that there are 650,000 hazardous chemical products in use in the United States alone?  Additionally, there are more than 30 million American workers exposed to these hazardous chemicals in the workplace. These are staggering statistics. To ensure chemical safety in the workplace, information about the identities and hazards of the chemicals must be available and understandable to workers. OSHA mandates that all employers with hazardous chemicals in their workplaces must have labels and safety data sheets for their exposed workers, and train them to handle the chemicals appropriately. Globally Harmonized System (GHS) (HAZCOM) Hazard Communication Training is critical for the health and safety of your workers and their families. Having an untrained workforce exposes your employees to numerous hazards and leaves you as the employer exposed to OSHA fines or possible litigation.

Since 2009, our training professionals have successfully instructed thousands of training classes. We will deliver an interactive and fast-paced training experience and make completing the training course easy. Our training professionals will also travel to bring our HAZCOM Training to your office, jobsite or facility. We can also rent a conference room if needed and we have our own training center in Cincinnati, OH.

By utilizing our professionals to provide HAZCOM Training to your workforce, you can have peace of mind knowing that your workers have the knowledge and skillset to handle hazardous chemicals safely and efficiently. Completing HAZCOM Training will also expand the marketability of your company by allowing your workers to safely navigate their way around hazardous chemicals. Having completed the required HAZCOM Training will keep your company in compliance. OSHA fines are steep and willful violations are even higher. Why take the risk? We have what it takes to protect your most valued asset, your people. Dial 877-209-9648 or email sales@pasafety.com to register.

To ensure chemical safety in the workplace, information about the identities and hazards of the chemicals must be available and understandable to workers. OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires the development and dissemination of such information:

Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import, and prepare labels and safety data sheets to convey the hazard information to their downstream customers;

All employers with hazardous chemicals in their workplaces must have labels and safety data sheets for their exposed workers, and train them to handle the chemicals appropriately.

Our GHS Hazard Communication Training will cover:

  • Major changes to the Hazard Communication Standard
  • Hazard classification: Provides specific criteria for classification of health and physical hazards, as well as classification of mixtures.
  • Labels: Chemical manufacturers and importers will be required to provide a label that includes a harmonized signal word, pictogram, and hazard statement for each hazard class and category. Precautionary statements must also be provided.
  • Safety Data Sheets: Will now have a specified 16-section format.
  • Information and training: Employers are required to train workers by December 1, 2013 on the new labels’ elements and safety data sheets format to facilitate recognition and understanding.

Check out other free resources on GHS Hazard Communication Training:

Annual GHS and Hazard Communication Training
Adhering to the Globally Harmonized System
Hazard Communication Standard
Hazard Communication
What to do When OSHA Arrives

GHS Hazard Communication Training Frequently Asked Questions:

Is GHS HAZCOM training required by law?

Yes. OSHA requires that employees be trained at the time they are assigned to work with or transport a hazardous chemical. The intent of this provision (1910.1200(h)) is to have information prior to exposure to prevent the occurrence of adverse health effects. Additionally, simply giving employees data sheets and papers to read does not constitute proper training and does not meet the OSHA standard for training and certification.  OSHA prefers training take place in a classroom-style format so that students and instructors can jointly interact with the information presented, ask questions and be active participants in the experience.

How long is my GHS HAZCOM certification good for?

GHA HAZCOM certification is good for one year from the date of certification.  Refresher courses are available and are required for all new hires who do not have prior HAZCOM training already and if a new chemical is brought into the workplace that may have difference effects than what already exists in that workplace.

What is GHS HAZCOM? 

GHS, or Globally Harmonized System of the Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, is meant to be a comprehensive system that uses harmonized signal words, pictograms and a hazard statement to categorize health, chemical and physical hazards encountered around us.  Its purpose is to ensure that the hazards of all chemicals produced or imported are evaluated, and that information concerning their hazards are transmitted to employers and employee’s byway of container labeling, safety data sheets, employee training and other forms of warning.

Although ‘global’ is in its name, this is not in fact a global statute, which is a common misconception.  Countries are not obligated to adopt this system, but many have, and the number is growing.  The United States adopted GHS in 2012.

HAZCOM, or, Hazardous Communication Standard, is a “U.S. regulation that governs the evaluation and communication of hazards associated with chemicals in the workplace.” (HCS, 29 CFR 1910.1200)

What is covered in GHS HAZCOM Training?

In our GHS HAZCOM Training, the content covered includes major changes to the Hazard Communication Standard, hazard classification, which provides specific criteria for classification of health and physical hazards, as well as classification of mixtures, labels, which includes chemical manufacturers and importers will be required to provide a label that includes a harmonized signal word, pictogram, and hazard statement for each hazard class and category; precautionary statements must also be provided, and Safety Data Sheets, which now have a specified 16-section format.

How do I know if I need GHS HAZCOM training?

You are likely to need GHS HAZCOM training if you are assigned to work with or transport a hazardous chemical. The intent of this OSHA provision (1910.1200(h)) is to have information prior to exposure to prevent the occurrence of adverse health effects. Additionally, simply giving employees data sheets and papers to read does not constitute proper training and does not meet the OSHA standard for training and certification.  OSHA prefers training take place in a classroom-style format so that students and instructors can jointly interact with the information presented, ask questions and be active participants in the experience.

How do I know if I’m at risk for hazardous chemical exposure?

Typically, occupations that might involve interaction with or the transporting of hazardous chemicals might be chemical truck drivers, hazardous waste laboratories, chemical operators, chemical plants, sanitation, scientific and medical fields and much more.  Best practice is always to simply ask your current, new, or potential employer of potential hazardous chemical risks onsite.

How do I know if I have been exposed to hazardous chemicals?

Hazardous chemical exposure can have both immediate symptoms as well as dormant symptoms that develop over time depending on the duration of exposure.  This may include symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain, chest pain, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, excessive cough, burning of the eyes, nose, lips, mouth and throat, headache, flu-like symptoms, disorientation, heavy sweating, etc.  It is of utmost importance to schedule regular visits with your primary care physician to discuss next steps and some simple tests to evaluate your health standing.  Always mention your hazardous chemical exposure risk and history to your doctor during your visit.

What should I do if I think I have been exposed to hazardous chemicals?

Follow employer protocol for chemical exposure (i.e., remove contaminated clothing, skin splash for minimum of 10 minutes, eye rinse, remove person exposed from the area, apply CPR if needed, etc.).  Report this immediately to your employer and seek immediate medical attention.

It is also possible to be exposed to some hazardous chemicals and to not show symptoms of that exposure right away.  It is of utmost importance to schedule regular visits with your primary care physician to discuss next steps and some simple tests to evaluate your health standing.  Always mention your hazardous chemical exposure risk and history to your doctor during your visit.

Can a one-time exposure to hazardous chemicals be harmful? How much hazardous chemical exposure is harmful?

Yes. Just one incident of exposure can have permanent and/or deadly effects on your health and body systems.  No amount of exposure is deemed “safe”.

Can I spread my own exposure from hazardous chemicals to my family?

Although chemical exposure itself is not deemed contagious, if you are exposed to hazardous materials at work, for example, and return home and have physical contact with others before removing exposed clothing, equipment and before washing your person, you could potentially spread that exposure to others you come in physical contact with.  It is critical to follow proper containment and cleanup protocol to minimize this risk.

How can I prevent exposure to hazardous chemicals?

The best way to prevent exposure is by getting educated in our GHS HAZCOM Training Course on preventative methods of exposure and by following occupational safety measures.

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