More than sixty-five countries have started using the UN Globally unified System of Classifying and labeling chemicals. There were issues in matters to do with chemical specification and classification in many countries globally. This is the reason behind the UN GHS taking the initiative of coming up with policies and reducing the negative effect of chemicals on the environment.
In 2012, GHS standards were adopted in the United States, and OSHA did other amendments in preceding years. The changes encompass updating the current MSDS to GHS safety data sheets and add new labels in regards to the UN GHS standards.
The new GHS globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals consists of sixteen parts arranged logically. The newly introduced labels have symbols and texts that are not intricate and offer all info in one glance. One of the good things about this safety data sheet is that it is similar to all others worldly. Regardless of where employees are located in the world, whether it is Europe, China or the US, they benefit from having the same SDS that they are familiar with and one that has all the information they need at their disposal. All parts are laid out nicely and getting information is fast and easy. The employees involved in handling chemicals are equipped and well educated on keeping records and security at all times.
It is not easy to implement working in confined spaces safely from MSDS especially for organizations that have so many products in their product list. Under the current SDS, chemicals have been regrouped according to their hazard levels, and it can be challenging to make an accurate decision about the category in which a certain chemical belongs.
The process becomes even harder if the formulation has different types of chemicals. If any importer, distributor, manufacturer, and exporter does not adhere to the GHS safety data sheets standards, then they will be penalized.
The process of updating to the current SDS has to be prompt and accurate too. To make the process fast, companies should involve an SDS authoring service provider. The people who are responsible for preparing the data sheets and the safety labels are Professionals in their panel who have knowledge in Hazcom and UN’s specific revisions. This is enabled by shifting from 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 interpreting and reading SDS electronic documentation is needed, and also it is required in taking emergency measures.
