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WEEKLY ACCIDENT REVIEW
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The week of October 21, 2013 Southland. Industries reported no new injuries. Fantastic, this is the third consecutive week without an injury. Let's make it to 2014 without any injuries!
GHS for Classifying and Labeling Chemicals
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THE GLOBALLY HARMONIZED SYSTEM FOR CLASSIFYING AND LABELING CHEMICALS
The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) is a worldwide system for communicating chemical hazards. It is a common approach to defining and classifying hazards for chemicals, and communicating such information on labels and safety data sheets to employees and users of chemicals. The GHS itself is not a regulation or a standard;the system was founded based on an international recommendation from the United Nations and recently was adopted into OSHA regulations. Additions and changes were made in 29 CFR 1910.1200, commonly known as the Hazard Communication standard or the right-to-know law.
OSHAs adoption of the GHS has resulted in setting action timelines for US manufacturers, distributors, and employers. The first action point for employees under the new GHS is to conduct employee training by December 1, 2013.
OSHAs intent in adopting the GHS is to improve consistency in hazard communication because of the global market for chemicals. The 16-point format for the new safety data sheets will standardize chemical information for consistency and easy-to-find information. The GHS' nine pictograms Ian to convey specific information in an easily identifiable symbol depicting the hazards of the chemicals. All of the pictograms will be bordered by a red diamond frame around the symbol that represents the hazard. Any chemical substance can have one or several pictograms to represent the different specific hazards.
Major changes to the hazard communication standard:
With the introduction or the GHS, the following changes to the hazard communication standard will occur:
-hazard classification will provide specific criteria fit classification of health and physical hazards as well as classification of mixtures
-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 have a specified 16-section format
-the hazard communication standard will require that workers are trained within two years of publication or the final rule to facilitate recognition and understanding of the new labels and safety data sheets.
Numerical Categorization Changes and Conflicts:
One of the most important change that has come about under the adoption of the GHS into the hazard communication standard is the definition of "flammable." Notice that under the GHS system, the category numbers of from low to high with lower numbers being more severe. This is exactly opposite with the hazardous material information system(HMIS) and NFPA system we have used in the past with the numbering system of the NFPA 704 placard. Under the NFPA 704 placarding system, flammable rating 1 represented a minimal risk; under the new GHS system, 1 represents the highest risk or severe rating.
HMIS and NFPA Ratings GHS Ratings
1 - Minimal 1- Severe
4 - Severe 4 - Minimal
Under the new GHS definitions for flammables, flash points have been changed and are no longer consistent and in alignment with the NFPA definitions. All employees need to be able to identify and understand both the GHS and the NFPA definitions for flammables. For you reference, here is a breakdown of the GHS categories:
Category 1: flash point <= 73.4 F and boiling point <= 95 F = danger, extremely flammable liquid and vapor
Category 2: flash point <= 73.4 F and boiling point > 95 F = danger! highly flammable liquid and vapor
Category 3: flash point >73.4 F and <=140 F= warning, flammable liquid and vapor
Category 4: flash point >140 F and <=199.4 F = warning
Another change under the GHS is that the terminology "safety data sheets" is now being used instead of "material safety data sheets". The format is standardized as follows:
1. Identification
2. Hazard identification
3. Composition/information on ingredients
4. First aid measures
5. Firefighting measures
6. Accidental release measures
7. Handling and storage
8. Exposure controls/personal protection
9. Physical and chemical properties
10. Stability and reactivity
11. Toxicological information
12. Ecological information
13. Disposal considerations
14. Transport information
15. Regulatory information
16. Other information
Note: Sections 12-15 are considered no mandatory under the OSHA proposal.
OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPROVEMENT
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Opportunities for improvement are ALWAYS welcome! Use the Opportunity for Improvement template on iAuditor to submit.
JOBSITE SAFETY CHECKLIST
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Select date
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Job Name:
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Job Number:
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Checked By:
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Signature:
1. RECORDKEEPING
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a. Notices, Posters (5-in1, OSHA Notice, Payroll)
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b. Emergency Contacts
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c. OSHA 300 Log
2. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
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a. In use: Safety glasses, Hard hats, Work boots, Gloves
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b. Face shields or goggles used for overhead work
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c. Respirators available
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d. Welding screens
3. FIRST AID KITS
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a. Available in gang box and job site trailer
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b. Stocked adequately with gloves, bandages, and antiseptics
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c. CPR and First Aid trained personnel
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d. Medical facility location and contact information communicated
4. SCAFFOLDS
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a. Competent person certified
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b. Scaffold grade planking
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c. Fall protection
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d. Clear of debris / trash
5. LADDERS
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a. Free from defects with safety feet, blocked, cleated, or otherwise secured.
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b. Straight ladders at 1:4 pitch
6. CYLINDERS
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a. Capped, stored in an upright position
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b. Oxygen / Acetylene properly separated
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c. Empty gas cylinders marked
7. TOOLS / EQUIPMENT
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a. Inspected to ensure safe operating condition
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b. Hand tools free from defects
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c. Unsafe / Unusable tools / equipment tagged "Do Not Use"
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d. Tools / Equipment properly guarded
8. HOUSEKEEPING
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a. Maintained
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b. Aisles and exit ways clear with 24" clearance
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c. Work areas uncluttered and debris removed
9. ELECTRICAL
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a. Electrical equipment grounded
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b. Tools double insulated
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c. Cords in good condition
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d. Electrical panels covered if energized
10. FALL PROTECTION
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a. Guard rails, mid rails, toe boards
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b. Fall restraint systems
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c. Open sides floors or platforms equipped with standard railing
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d. Openings (interior / perimeter) properly barricaded or covered
11. FIRE PREVENTION
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a. Flammable and explosive materials stored safely
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b. Adequate number of fire extinguishers available with tags and clips
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c. Vehicles and mobile equipment provided with extinguishers
12. EXCAVATIONS
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a. Over 4 ft shored, benched, or sloped as required
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b. Steps or ladders at 25 ft intervals
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c. Competent person on site
13. HAZARD COMMUNICATION
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a. MSDS and Labels available
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b. Employees briefed on HAZCOM
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c. HAZCOM information poster posted
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d. Employees familiar with MSDS books and their location
COMMENTS
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Type comments here or use "Sign" function to write:
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PRE-TASK PLAN
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Ensure a Pre-Task Plan is completed on paper or via the iAuditor app.
CREW SIGNATURES
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