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NASF REPORT OSHA's GHS HazCom Rule NASF members should be ready to comply with new training and other requirements under OSHA's implementation of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS). The deadline for the frst round of regulations fell on Dec. 1, 2013. The GHS is an approach for standardizing and harmonizing the classifcation and labeling of chemicals. OSHA is now implementing the framework through its revised Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), frst published in the Federal Register on March 26, 2012. The new rule aims for a more logical approach to classifying chemicals and communicating hazards on labels and safety data sheets. Companies that regularly handle, store and use hazardous chemicals must periodically update safety data sheets and labels for chemicals covered under the hazard communication standard. Employees must be trained, as well. What GHS Means to You The new rules contain a new set of terminology for communicating potential chemical hazards in the workplace. Companies handling chemicals will need to replace old Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) with new Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and update labels to meet GHS requirements, including new pictograms. In addition, businesses will need to train employees to read the new SDSs and labels. What are the Regulatory Deadlines? By Dec. 1, 2013, businesses must train employees regarding hazards of chemicals or categories of chemicals and the new label elements and SDS format. By June 1, 2015, all labels and SDSs must be updated by chemical manufacturers, distributors or importers. Distributors have an additional six months to distribute containers with manufacturers' labels. By June 1, 2106, employers must update Hazard Communication programs and signs to comply with the new GHS requirements. More Information from NASF and OSHA NASF is preparing more information to assist companies with compliance. In the meantime, background and guidance on complying with the GHS and the hazard communication standard are available on the OSHA website at www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/index.html. OSHA Proposes New Workplace Exposure Standard for Respirable Crystalline Silica The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently issued a proposed rule for occupational exposure of respirable crystalline silica. 78 Fed. Reg. 56274 (2013). The proposed rule would establish a new permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 μg/m3 with an action level 25 μg/m3 (calculated as an eight-hour time-weighted average) for general industry (half of the current standard). This new standard could impact grinding, sand blasting and other processes at surface fnishing operations that use sand. Exceeding these limits would trigger a host of administrative and regulatory controls, including initial medical monitoring and periodic exposure assessments, engineering and work practice controls, personal protective equipment, respiratory protection (when engineering and work practice controls are insuffcient to meet the PEL), training, and recordkeeping. On Oct. 25, 2013, OSHA announced it was extending the comment period and other deadlines for the proposed rule. The new deadline to submit written comments and testimony is Jan. 27, 2014. OSHA will be conducting public hearings on the proposed rule, which are now scheduled to begin on March 18, 12 DECEMBER 2013 — pfonline.com 2014. The deadline to submit notices of intention to appear at these hearings is now December 12, 2013. The public hearings for this rulemaking are expected to continue for several weeks. Additional information on the proposed rule, including fve fact sheets and procedures for submitting written comments and participating in public hearings, is available on the OSHA website at osha.gov/silica. For additional information, contact Jef Hannapel at jhannapel@thepolicygroup.com.