The physical hazards the ghs is concerned with include which of the following?

In 2003, the United Nations (UN) adopted the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The GHS includes criteria for the classification of health, physical and environmental hazards, as well as specifying what information should be included on labels of hazardous chemicals as well as safety data sheets. The United States was an active participant in the development of the GHS, and is a member of the UN bodies established to maintain and coordinate implementation of the system. The official text of the GHS can be found on the UN web page.

OSHA GHS Proposal

OSHA published a proposed rulemaking on September 30, 2009 to align OSHA's Hazard Communication standard (HCS) with the GHS. [Also available as an 11 MB PDF, 271 pages] This is a significant step in the rulemaking process. OSHA has provided a 90-day comment period ending on December 29, 2009. Informal public hearings will follow. OSHA will publish a hearing notice in the Federal Register with details on dates and location(s).

To aide in the understanding of the HCS proposal OSHA is providing additional information:

• Proposed HCS regulatory text
• Proposed Appendix A: Health Hazard Criteria (Mandatory)
• Proposed Appendix B: Physical Hazard Criteria (Mandatory)
• Proposed Appendix C: Allocation of Label Elements (Mandatory)
• Proposed Appendix D: Safety Data Sheets (Mandatory)
• Proposed Appendix E (Existing Appendix D): Definition of Trade Secret (Mandatory)
• Proposed Appendix F: Guidance for Hazard Classifications Regarding Carcinogenicity (Non-Mandatory)
• Proposed HCS regulatory text (redline strikeout)
• Side-by-side comparison of the current HCS to the Proposed Rule
• Facts on Aligning the Hazard Communication Standard to the GHS

OSHA GHS Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

In May 2005, The Agency added to its regulatory agenda consideration of rulemaking to revise the HCS to align its requirements with the GHS. As the first step in that rulemaking process, OSHA published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) on September 12, 2006. [Also available as a 3 MB PDF, 11 pages.] 

The ANPR explains the history of the development of the GHS, including OSHA's involvement in the process. It also indicates how alignment with the GHS would affect the requirements of the HCS, and asks a series of questions to allow the public an opportunity to provide input. The comment period closed on November 13, 2006. Comments submitted are available on OSHA's web page under the e-docket section. The Docket Number is H022K. This October 2006 Powerpoint presentation, provides more information about the ANPR, the impact of the GHS on the HCS, and other implementation issues.

OSHA has also completed a detailed comparison of the provisions of the GHS to the requirements of the HCS. This document indicates the changes that would have to be made to be consistent with the GHS., 153 pages.

In order to ensure chemical safety in the workplace, information about the identities and hazards of the chemicals must be available and understandable to workers. OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires the development and dissemination of such information:

• Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import, and prepare labels and safety data sheets to convey the hazard information to their downstream customers;

• All employers with hazardous chemicals in their workplaces must have labels and safety data sheets for their exposed workers, and train them to handle the chemicals appropriately.

Major changes to the Hazard Communication Standard

• Hazard classification: Provides specific criteria for classification of health and physical hazards, as well as classification of mixtures.

• Labels: Chemical manufacturers and importers will be required to provide a label that includes a harmonized signal word, pictogram, and hazard statement for each hazard class and category. Precautionary statements must also be provided.

• Safety Data Sheets: Will now have a specified 16-section format.

• Information and training: Employers are required to train workers on the new labels elements and safety data sheets format to facilitate recognition and understanding.

  Under the new Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of SDS and Label authoring, chemical manufacturers, importers, and distributors are required to update the way they classify and communicate the hazards of their products.

  This article will give you a crash course in how the GHS handles Hazard Classification and the new hazard categories so that you can be prepared for North America’s GHS implementation. We suggest you use this article in tandem with the official GHS “Purple Book” when classifying your materials.

  GHS classification of hazards is divided into class and category. These describe the nature and, if applicable, the degree of hazard of the chemical product.

  A chemical will have a hazard class, and within that class are several hazard categories, of which one or more will apply. Section 2 of the new GHS Labels and SDSs require hazard statements which are determined by assigning a hazard class and category.

  

  As a manufacturer, importer, or distributor you’ll need to know how to classify hazards. You’ll also need to know which hazards are classified under GHS guidelines and which hazards are not so you can properly address them in Section 2 of your SDS and on your labels.

  The Simple Step by Step Process to Classifying a Hazard

  Below are the basic steps in auditing your chemical products to properly classify them under GHS standards:

  1. Identify the relevant data concerning the hazards of the chemical.
  2. Determine if the chemical is hazardous based on its physical hazards, health hazards, and environmental hazards.
  3. Test your chemicals or consult scientific evidence to determine how the above information classifies the material.
  4. Identify each of the hazard classes that apply to each chemical.
  5. Identify the appropriate hazard category within each class for the chemical to identify its severity.

  Note: You are not required to test chemicals for the purpose of hazard classification. You may instead consult scientific literature to assess whether your chemical meets the OSHA definition of a hazardous chemical.

  GHS Hazard Classification

  GHS uses three hazard classes: Health Hazards, Physical Hazards and Environmental Hazards. These aren’t required by OSHA.

  Health hazards present dangers to human health (i.e. breathing or vision) while physical hazards cause damage to the body (like skin corrosion). There are 16 physical hazards and 10 health hazards: each hazard is then further divided according to different severity levels.

  Chemical manufacturers, importers, and distributors are required to classify their chemicals using the updated HazCom 2012. HazCom 2012 provides specific criteria to address physical hazards, health hazards and the classification of chemical mixtures.

  It’s important to note, the HazCom 2012 categories are similar yet contradictory to the HMIS/NFPA ratings: GHS 1 – 4 rating system ranks 4 as the least severe while NFPA’s rank 4 is most severe.  This inverse rating system has created some concern, however OSHA has indicated that the GHS numbers are for hazard classification purposes and do not reflect the rating of the hazard itself.

  Additionally, the GHS number will not be required on labels. Nevertheless, NFPA and OSHA have worked to produce a quick card to clarify the issue as much as possible.

  Hazard Classes and their Applicable Categories

  The following tables can be used as a quick reference once you’ve determined a material’s hazard classification. Each class has one or more associated categories. Once you determine class and category you’ll have the information you need to assign signal words, pictograms, and precautionary statements.

  Physical Hazards 

  Hazard Class

  Associated Hazard Category

  Explosives

  Divisions 1.1-1.6 (with 1.1 being the most hazardous, 1.6 the least hazardous)

  Flammable gases

  Categories 1 and 2

  Flammable aerosols

  Categories 1 and 2

  Oxidizing gases

  Category 1

  Gases under pressure

  4 Groups include: Compressed gas, Liquefied gas, Dissolved gas, and Refrigerated liquefied gas

  Flammable liquids

  Categories 1 - 4

  Flammable solids

  Categories 1 and 2

  Self-reactive substances

  Types A-G

  Pyrophoric solids

  Category 1

  Pyrophoric liquids

  Category 1

  Self-heating substances

  Categories 1 and 2

  Substances which in contact with water emit flammable gases

  Categories 1 - 3

  Oxidizing liquids

  Categories 1 - 3

  Oxidizing solids

  Categories 1 - 3

  Organic peroxides

  Types A-G

  Substances corrosive to metal

  Category 1

  Health Hazards 

  Hazard Class

  Associated Hazard Category

  Acute toxicity

  Categories 1-4 (with 1 being the most dangerous)

  Skin corrosion

  Categories 1A, 1B, 1C, and 2

  Skin irritation

  Categories  1A, 1B, 1C, and 2

  Eye Effects

   Categories 1, 2A, and 2B

  Sensitization (Skin or Eye)

  Category 1A and 1B

  Germ cell mutagenicity

  Categories 1A, 1B, and 2

  Carcinogenicity

  Categories 1A, 1B, and 2

  Reproductive toxicity

  Categories 1A, 1B, 2, and additional category for effects on or via lactation

  Target organ systemic toxicity: single and repeated exposure

  Single: Categories 1-3

  Repeated: Categories 1 and 2

  Aspiration toxicity

  Category 1 and 2                  

  Environmental Hazards 

  Hazard Class

  Associated Hazard Category

  Acute Aquatic Toxicity

  Categories 1 -3

  Chronic Aquatic Toxicity

  Categories 1 - 4

   UNECE Classification Summary table

  The above tables provide a brief summary of the classification/category relations. However, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe has compiled a comprehensive list of classification and categories which you should use to verify your classifications.

  This document also includes decision flow charts and numerical limits/thresholds that will be essential if you are required to author GHS-compliant SDSs and/or labels.

  Classification of Mixtures

  The GHS classifies mixtures using a tiered approach. To classify your mixtures you should use available testing data for the mixture itself along with the GHS classification guidelines. An exception to this is if your mixture is a carcinogen, a mutagen, or a reproductive toxin where classification may be based on the strength of evidence and modified on a case-by-case basis.

  For untested mixtures the GHS suggests applying bridging principles with similar tested mixtures or using the cut-off approach with the values described in the specific end point. Bridging principles exist for Dilutions, Batching, Concentration of Highly Toxic mixtures, Interpolation within One Toxic Category, Substantially Similar Mixtures and Aerosols.

  More information about the GHS bridging principles and Mixture classification can be found online. 

  How to Communicate Hazards: Hazard Statements

  Once you have classified and categorized your substances and mixtures you will be able to apply the correct hazard statements to your Safety Data Sheets and Labels. GHS Hazard statements were designed to replace OSHA R-Phrases.

  Each hazard statement has a specific hazard code, although your SDSs and Labels must include the entire statement and not simply the code number. This ensures that anyone reading the document knows exactly what to expect immediately without having to refer to a long list of codes.

  Section A3.1.2.1 of the UNECE document  explains the codification of the hazard statements:

  1. Each code begins with the Letter “H” for Hazard Statement
  2. The first number designates the type of hazard the hazard statement is assigned
     1. 2 = physical hazard
     2. 3 = health hazard
     3. 4 = environmental hazard
     4. The second and third numbers refer to the intrinsic properties of the substance
     5. Some hazard codes and statements can be combined/ conjoined using a  “+” which means “or”

  For example, the hazard code H200 refers to an unstable explosive. It’s clear from the first letter of the code, 2, that the explosive property of the material is a physical hazard.

  Take a look at UN Annex 3 for all the hazard statements.

  What if a Hazard is Not Classified under GHS?

  Some hazards are not classified under GHS, but that doesn’t mean they can be ignored. These types of hazards are divided into 2 groups: “Pyrophoric Gases, Simple Asphyxiants, and Combustible Dusts”; and Hazard not otherwise classified.

  Pyrophoric Gases, Simple Asphyxiants, and Combustible Dusts

  These hazards have their own unique requirements and generally do not have any specific GHS pictograms associated with them (the one exception being pyrophoric gas which can use the flame GHS pictogram).

  Nevertheless, they must still be included under Section 2 in the SDS and on the label as follows:

  Pyrophoric gases (in addition to the Flame GHS pictogram)

  • Signal word - Danger
  • Hazard statement - Catches fire spontaneously if exposed to air
  • Signal word - Warning
  • Hazard statement - May displace oxygen and cause rapid suffocation
  • Signal word - Warning
  • Hazard statement - May form combustible dust concentrations in the air

  Simple asphyxiants

  Combustible dusts

  The “Hazards not otherwise classified” Category

  Some materials may have hazards not classified by the Globally Harmonized System that cannot be defined as Pyrophoric Gases, Simple Asphyxiants, and Combustible Dusts.

  If a chemical product contains a Hazard Not Classified by the GHS (HNOC), it must be addressed on section 2 of the SDS and may or may not be included on the label under Supplemental information.

  The Most Effective Way to Classify Hazards

  The Globally Harmonized System offers manufacturers, importers, and distributors a better way of understanding and communicating information about their materials.

  However, this shift will also present a challenge because the systems most businesses have in place will need to be updated. Classifying a single material can require a great deal of testing and research, and uses an unfamiliar set of thresholds and requirements.

  Many companies are looking for ways to automate this GHS classification process using an electronic system that already has the new GHS rules built in. Rather than building a whole new set of internal chemical management guidelines under a tight deadline, using a GHS SDS/Label authoring software can ease the transition by automatically classifying your materials while you properly implement and master the GHS.

  What are the four types of physical hazards OSHA?

  There are five main classes of physical hazard namely Explosive, Flammable, Oxidising, Gases under Pressure and Corrosive to metals. These are then sub-divided into different categories depending on the degree of danger and these are assigned specific hazard statements to identity them.

  Which is an example of a physical workplace hazard quizlet?

  Hazards such as noise, high pressure or vacuum, etc are considered as physical type of hazards. Inappropriate machine guarding, slipping and tripping, breakdowns, equipment malfunction are categorized as safety hazards in workplaces .

  Which of the following hazards is an example of a health hazard?

  The term "health hazard" includes chemicals which are carcinogens, toxic or highly toxic agents, reproductive toxins, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, agents which act on the hematopoietic system, and agents which damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes.

  Which items are a safety hazard?

  Liquids like cleaning products, paints, acids, solvents – ESPECIALLY if chemicals are in an unlabeled container! Flammable materials like gasoline, solvents, and explosive chemicals. WORK ORGANIZATION HAZARDS: Hazards or stressors that cause stress (short- term effects) and strain (long-term effects).