Oct. 1 – US: OSHA Finally Brings GHS to America

From Occupational Health and Safety:

Calling it the first major health rulemaking of the Obama administration, OSHA [Tuesday] announced it is proposing a rule to align the agency’s Hazard Communication standard with provisions of the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). OSHA also said the proposal, published in [the September 30th] Federal Register, is the first of many steps in the months to come that will demonstrate the agency’s renewed commitment to an aggressive regulatory agenda.

…acting OSHA chief Jordan Barab….noted that the European Union has already adopted GHS, as has Japan and China. Other countries, such as Canada, are, like the United States, working on the regulation. Following [Wednesday’s] Federal Register publication of the proposal is a 90-day comment period that ends Dec. 29. OSHA plans to then hold public hearings on the rulemaking early in 2010. “We are seriously discussing having hearings in different parts of the country, but we’ll figure that as we go along,” Barab said…

To view the complete pdf version of the Federal Register’s proposal click here.

We will keep you informed of when these regulations change.

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