The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is proposing changes to the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to better align it with international guidelines, specifically the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), Revision 7. This proposed rule aims to improve how chemical hazards are communicated to employers and employees, ensuring greater consistency and effectiveness. The updates included in the rule cover how hazards are classified, how labels are created, and technical updates to safety data sheets, among others. The public is invited to submit comments on these proposed changes by April 19, 2021.
Simple Explanation
OSHA wants to change some rules about how chemicals are labeled so everyone can understand what is dangerous in the same way everywhere, kind of like making sure traffic lights mean the same thing everywhere in the world. They’re asking people to tell them what they think and want to make it easier for everyone to stay safe at work.