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GHS stands for the Globally
Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of
Chemicals.
On a worldwide basis, thousands of chemicals are
manufactured, sold and transported. Sometimes, these
products have different labels and warning information
based on what health and safety rules are in place where
they are manufactured and sold.
It’s important to note that the GHS is not replacing
WHMIS, it is re-aligning and enhancing it!
The main focus of the GHS is to promote both workplace
safety and international trade by applying definitions
and safety information requirements that are globally
accepted.
One significant change is that the current 9 part MSDS
(Material Safety Data Sheets) will be expanded to 16
categories and called Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
In addition, 3 of the current hazard symbols will
change and 1 new symbol will be added for the environment.
These globally accepted standards will provide workers
everywhere with better information through standardized
product labels and more detailed product data. For
manufacturers around the world, these changes will
reduce red tape for selling and transporting products
globally.
When the GHS becomes law and fully implemented, sometime
in 2015, there will be new WHMIS training requirements.
In our next issue we will continue to look further into
GHS and how it may affect you…
In the meantime, this month YOW Canada is amending our
current WHMIS course to include a GHS FYI session. This
FYI session will give trainees an insight into the
proposed amendments to WHMIS and the new:
classifications, hazard symbols and labelling
requirements. There is no additional charge for the FYI
session and it will also be made available to all of our
existing customers.
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