Asterion has completed the conversion from the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) to the GHS compliant Safety Data Sheet (SDS). We are currently distributing the SDS to customers. A SDS was sent for any products purchased after January 1, 2014. This time frame was based on the standard expiration, of one year, for Asterion products. Those that have requested the SDS in hard copy format, they were mailed on April 24. Those that requested the e-mail format, should have received those SDS between April 23 and April 28. Asterion has made the conversion to the use of the new label format. You … [Read more...]
April 12, 2016 By
How Does GHS Affect Me?
This article is the second in a three part series on hazard standards and labeling. Read the first article on GHS here. Now that we have defined GHS (Globally Harmonized System) , its purpose and the changes to the hazard communication system, let's discuss how it will affect you. The requirements of the global harmonization system will affect everyone from the manufacturer to the end user. In this post we will discuss the regulatory timeline and the basic requirements. If you need additional information we encourage you to access OSHA’s webpage for full text of the regulation and letters … [Read more...]
April 3, 2016 By
Hazard Communication: What is GHS?
This article is the first in a three part series on Hazard Communication and chemical safety. What is GHS? In the most basic of terms, GHS is the revised Hazard Communication program adopted by the occupation safety and health administration (OSHA). More specifically, GHS is an acronym for Globally Harmonized System of classification and labeling of chemicals. OSHA explains, "This is a system for standardizing and harmonizing the classification and labeling of chemicals." Purpose OSHA explains GHS has three main purposes: defining health, physical and environmental hazards of chemicals, … [Read more...]
April 24, 2015 By
What is the Timeline for GHS?
In an effort to promote standard criteria worldwide for classifying chemicals according to their health, physical and environmental hazards the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals initiative was launched. Supporting this initiative, Osha has issued a Hazard Communication Standard Final Rule. This rule outlines changes for both chemical users and chemical producers to become compliant with the new GHS standards. Chemical users: Continue to update safety data sheets when new ones become available, provide training on the new label elements and … [Read more...]
June 17, 2013 By
OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard
Aligning with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published the original Hazard Communication Standard to provide an information system on hazardous chemicals that are used in the workplace. The purpose was to give workers that are exposed to chemicals the “right to know”. By aligning with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), OSHA now states that workers have the “right to understand”. … [Read more...]