Globally Harmonized System of classification and labeling of chemicals (GHS) is a United Nations (U.N.) system that has been adopted by OSHA. Personnel that come in contact with chemicals found in the workplace should have been trained in the new GHS standard by December 1, 2013. Full implementation of the standard will be June 1, 2015 for manufacturers and distributors of chemicals, and June 1, 2016 for employers, including all users of chemicals. The new GHS standard will create changes on the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and changes with labeling. Besides some formatting, changes and reporting requirements, the MSDS will become a Safety Data Sheet (SDS). There will also be changes to labeling due to formatting and reporting requirements. Both the SDS and the labeling may require new Pictograms.
These Pictograms and their reasons for being required will potentially change what once were non-hazardous products to be considered under this new regulation as hazardous. It is very important for manufacturers to understand which products they are using might undergo these changes. For the most part there has always been a fairly clear understanding of the various hazardous chemicals, however all other products basically have remained somewhat unknown until now. The ease of determining if a product is hazardous under GHS will surely raise some new concerns by individuals handling these newly labeled products. Consumer goods will also be required to be labeled under the new GHS system and will further familiarize individuals with the various levels of potential health hazards.
Many metalworking fluids on the market contain additives that under the new GHS system are classified as Reproductive Toxins and Specific Target Organ Toxins. Boron is a common additive used to reduce rust and is contained in many brands of coolants and is found in concentrations greater than 1%. It is highly likely that Boron will reach thresholds that will require the coolant to display the new health hazard Pictogram that conveys an exploding body. Most coolant manufactures are trying to reformulate their coolants to avoid the need to display the health hazard Pictogram. These formulation changes may result in an increase in rust and reduction in coolant stability. Another new Pictogram is the exclamation mark and is used if a product is a skin irritant.
What you need to do now?
1. Inventory all the chemicals that are currently used in your facility.
2. Request a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) form for your current chemical supplies. If they ask you what an SDS is, then start looking for an alternative chemical supplier ASAP.
3. Establish a corporate policy of what chemicals you want in your facility or do not want in your facility.
Even the worst chemical can be used. This would only require the proper Personal Protection Equipment, however, some of the equipment that is required for safe handling of hazardous products can interfere with production and it would be best to use a non-hazardous product. Non-hazardous products are available.
A free training program is available on YouTube under Hangsterfers GHS Training or on the Hangsterfers web page www.hangsterfers.com, click on the GHS logo. This can qualify manufacturers for the training that everyone was required to do by December 2013. Also available on the Hangsterfers website for download is the GHS purple book that is 45 to 46 pages long.
Authored by George Burrell, ME, Hangsterfers Laboratories, Inc.
For more information contact:
Hangsterfers Laboratories, Inc.
175 Ogden Road
PO Box 128
Mantua, NJ 08051
856-468-0216
800-433-LUBE (5823)
sales@hangsterfers.com
www.hangsterfers.com
George Burrell, ME
Hangsterfers Southwest Regional Manager
856-468-0216 ext. 7924
burrell@hangsterfers.com