How GHS Safety Data Sheets Help with Employee Safety At Workplaces
Many countries in the globe have begun using UN globally certified labeling and classifying chemicals. There were discrepancies in the way different countries classified chemicals and specified safety measures. That is why the UN GHS has taken the initiative to make the methods uniform as a way to improve safety for all people handling chemicals and also reduce the impact the chemicals have on the environment.
In 2012, GHS standards were adopted in the United States, and OSHA did other amendments in preceding years. The modifications entailed updating of the MSDS to GHS safety data sheets and adding tags as pertains to UN GHS ideals.
The new and improved data sheets consist of sixteen parts arranged logically. The freshly introduced labels have texts and pictograms that are not intricate and give all the info at a glance. The significant advantage of using the standard safety data sheet is that it is the same all over the world. No matter where employees are situated globally, they will benefit from the same SDS they are familiarized with, and they will have all info they need. Every section are well laid out and getting specific info is not an arduous task. All employees are taught how to interact with chemicals and stay safe all through.
Transitioning from MSDS to SDS is easier said than done more so for the companies that have hundreds of products in their product list. The new SDS has categorized different chemicals in regards to their degree of hazard, and it is difficult to tell which category a certain chemical fits.
This becomes even harder if it is a formulation which consists of varied chemicals. If any importer, distributor, manufacturer, and exporter does not adhere to the GHS safety data sheets standards, then they will be penalized.
The procedure of updating to the new SDS should not be slow; instead it should be quick and accurate. Hire an SDS authoring service provider to speed up the process of SDS preparation. Professionals in their panel who have knowledge in Hazcom and UN’s specific revisions prepare the data sheets as well as the safety labels. This can be achieved by conversion of printed documentation to electronic format.
It is vital to access the information on the devices of the workers or from a central database since that way it will be easy to respond to any emergency issues that may arise. When training employees electronic documentation is needed to interpret and read SDS and also in taking appropriate emergency precaution.