2. What GHS? Logical and comprehensive approach to:
Defining health, physical and environmental hazards of chemicals
Creating classification processes that use available data on chemicals for comparison with the defined hazard criteria
Communicating hazard information, as well as protective measures, on Labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

3. The GHS itself is not a standard or a regulation
The GHS itself is not a standard or a regulation. The GHS document (referred to as “the purple book”) establishes agreed hazard classification and communication provisions with explanatory information on how to apply the system
What is GHS?
The GHS itself is not a standard or a regulation
The GHS document “the purple book” establishes agreed hazard classification and communication provisions with explanatory information on how to apply the system

4. Why is GHS Necessary?
The primary purpose of GHS is to reduce illness and injury caused by chemicals
OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard was published in 1983
Resulted in a <42% in acute illness and injuries from chemicals

5. Why is GHS Necessary?
In the US alone there are many different classification systems used by various authorities.
This means that the same product can be non-hazardous or hazardous with different labels and SDS
Flammability for example OSHA/NFPA Flammable degrees
combustible degrees
DOT Flammable degrees
combustible degrees
CPSC Flammable degrees (Consumer Product Safety Commission)
Combustible degrees
ANSI Extremely flammable degrees (American National Standards Institute)
Combustible degrees
GHS Flammable degrees

6. GHS Benefits Overall
Enhance the protection of human health and the environment
Provide a recognized framework to develop regulations
Facilitate international trade in chemicals whose hazards have been identified on an international basis
Reduce the need for testing and evaluation against multiple classification systems

7. GHS Timeline in US
December 1, 2013 train employees on the new label system
June 1, 2015 comply with all modified provisions of the final rule, except:
Distributers may ship products labeled under the old system until Dec 1, 2015
During transition may comply with 29CFR or current standard

8. GHS Major Elements Classification - Physical - Health - Environmental
Communication
- Labels
- Safety Data Sheets

9. GHS Classification
Definitions changed to provide specific criteria for classification:
health and physical hazards
Classifications of mixtures
Specific Criteria will help ensure:
Evaluations of hazardous effects are consistent across manufacturers
Labels and SDS’s are more accurate
Until GHS mixtures were not classified. Only the chemicals within the mixture

10. GHS Classification
Chemicals are first classified by one or more of three Hazard Classes:
Physical, Health or Environmental
Each Hazard Class is divided onto hazard categories
Hazard categories may be further divided into
divisions, types, groups etc..
When Hazard Categories are further divided the main thing to remember is the lower the letter or number the more hazardous the substance is.
Example 1: Explosives “division 1.1” has mass explosion potential and “1.6” extremely insensititive with no mass explosion hazard.
Example 2: Self reactive substances “Type A” can detonate or deflagrate rapidly as packaged “Type G” neither detonates nor deflagrates
Example 3: Skin corrosion category “1A” <3 min exposure destruction to dermal tissue “3” reversible adverse effects in dermal tissue.

11. Physical Hazards Explosives Flammable gasses Flammable aerosols
Oxidizing gasses
Gasses under pressure
Flammable liquids
Flammable solids
Self-reactive substances

12. Physical Hazards Pyrophoric liquids Pyrophoric solids
Self heating substances
Substances which in contact with water emit flammable gasses
Oxidizing liquids
Oxidizing solids
Organic peroxides
Corrosive to metal

13. Health Hazards Acute toxicity Skin corrosion/irritation
Serious eye damage/eye irritation
Respiratory or skin sensitive
Germ cell mutantgency
Carcinogenicity
Reproductive toxicity
Mutagen: is an agent that can induce or increase the frequency of mutation to a species
Reproductive toxicity: an agent that can cause adverse effects on sexual function, fertility as well as developmental toxicity to unborn fetus

14. Health Hazards Target organ/systemic toxicity- single dose
Target organ/systemic toxicity-repeated exposure
Aspiration toxicity
All significant health effects (not otherwise specifically included in the GHS) that can impair function are included in the non-lethal target organ/systemic toxicity class
Target organ for example would be the liver with alcohol
Systemic refers to the entire body or system like the Central Nervous System for example
Aspiration is the drawing or inhaling of a foreign substance into the respiratory tract.
Risks of aspiration include lung damage and pneumonia

15. Environmental Hazards
Hazardous to aquatic environment
Acute aquatic toxicity
Chronic aquatic toxicity
Bioaccumulation
Rapid degradability
Bioaccumulation is the process producing an increase in the concentration of chemicals (usually toxins) in tissues of organisms with each increase in the trophic level of the food chain. Example if concentrations are found in minnows, the concentration will be higher in Crappie. The concentration will then be higher in larger predatory fish or birds.
Rapid degradability means a chemical is capable of degrading rapidly. To be classified as Chronic Aquatic Toxicity the substance has a lack of rapid degradability

16. Hazard Communication
Once the chemical has been classified, the hazard(s) MUST be communicated to target audiences
The international mandate for the GHS included to development of a harmonized communication system including:
Labels
Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
Easily understandable symbols
Adopting GHS means adopting the harmonized method of hazard communication.

17. Pictograms Pictogram is a communication:
Intended to convey specific information
9 pictograms to convey:
Health hazards
Physical hazards
Environmental hazards

18. Pictograms Health Hazard Carcinogen Mutagen Respiratory sensitizer
Reproductive toxicity
Target organ toxicity
Aspiration toxicity

19. Pictograms Flame Flammables Pryophorics Self-Heating
Emits flammable gas
Self-reactive
Organic peroxides

20. Pictograms Exclamation mark Irritant (skin and eye) Skin sensitizer
Acute toxicity (harmful)
Narcotic effects
Respiratory tract irritant
Hazardous to ozone layer

21. Pictograms
Gas cylinder
Gas under pressure
Flame over circle
Oxidizers

22. Pictograms Corrosion Skin corrosion/burns Eye damage
Corrosive to metals
Exploding bomb
Explosives
Self-reactives
Organic peroxides

23. Pictograms Skull and crossbones Acute toxicity (fatal or toxic)
Environment
(non-mandatory)
Aquatic toxicity

24. Labels
Existing systems have labels that look different for the same product. Which leads to confusion, consumer uncertainty and the need for additional resources to maintain different systems

25. Label Elements
Signal word: is a word that typically appears near the top of a label. Final rule requires the use of 1 of 2 signal words
DANGER
WARNING
Hazard Statements describe the hazards associated with a chemical.
Intended to form a set of standardized phrases about the hazards of chemical substances
Hazard Statements are coded with the letter “H” and a 3 digit number for reference purposes when translating. Example H220 is the code for “Extremely flammable gas” Only the statement appears on the label

26. Hazard Statements, Physical Hazards
Code
Physical hazard statement
GHS Hazard Class
Hazard Category
H200
Unstable explosive
Explosives
Unstable
H201
Explosive: mass explosive hazard
Div 1.1
H202
Explosive, severe projection hazard
Div 1.2
H203
Explosive: fire, blast or projection hazard
Div 1.3
H204
Fire or projection hazard
Div 1.4
H205
May mass explode in fire
Div 1.5
H220
Extremely flammable gas
Flammable gasses 1
H221
Flammable gas 2

27. Hazard Statements, Health Hazards
Code
Health hazard statement
GHS Hazard Class
Hazard Category
H300
Fatal if swallowed
Acute toxicity, oral
1,2
H301
Toxic if swallowed 3
H302
Harmful if swallowed 4
H303
May be harmful if swallowed 5
H304
May be fatal if swallowed and enters airway
Aspiration hazard 1
H305
May be harmful if swallowed and enters airways 2
H310
Fatal in contact with skin
Acute toxicity, dermal
H311
Toxic in contact with skin
H312
Harmful in contact with skin

28. Label Elements
Precautionary statements Indicate how the product should be handled, used and stored to minimize risks to the user and the environment

29. Precautionary statements
Label Elements
Precautionary statements
General statements
- If medical advice is needed, have product container or label at hand
- Keep out of reach of children
- Read Label before use

30. Precautionary statements
Label Elements
Precautionary statements
Prevention statements
- Obtain special instructions before use
- Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read
- Keep away from heat/sparks or open flames
- Ground/bond container and receiving equipment
- Wear protective gloves/clothing/eye protection
- Use required PPE

31. Precautionary statements
Label Elements
Precautionary statements
Response statements
- IF SWALLOWED
- IF ON SKIN
- IF ON SKIN OR HAIR
- IF INHALED
- IF IN EYES
- IF ON CLOTHING

32. Precautionary statements
Label Elements
Precautionary statements
Storage statements
Store in closed container
Store locked up
Store in corrosive resistant container
Maintain air gap between stacks and pallets
Store away from other materials
Store is dry place

33. Precautionary statements
Label Elements
Precautionary statements
storage statements
Store in closed container
Store in well ventilated place
Keep container tightly closed
Disposal statements
Dispose of contents/container….

34. Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
The GHS established a standardized 16 section format for SDS to provide a consistent sequence for presentation to SDS users. Items of primary concern to exposed employees and emergency responders are presented at the beginning of the document, while more technical information is presented later
Emergency response sections will always be 4, 5 and 6 which will mean less time spent searching a document if an emergency arises

35. SDS Format Section 1: identification Product identifier used on label
Other means of identification
Recommended use
Restrictions on use
Name, address and phone number of the chemical manufacturer, importer or responsible party

36. SDS format Section 2: Hazard(s) identification
- Classification of the chemical in accordance with
- Signal word
- Hazard statements
- Symbols

37. SDS Format Section 3: composition/information on chemicals
- Chemical name and concentration if it’s a mixture
- CAS number
- Common name
- Other unique identifiers
If a mixture is claimed (in accordance to paragraph (i) of ) as a trade secret the individual chemicals are still listed with associated hazards but exact percentages are not required. The SDS must state that chemical identity and/or exact percentages were withheld as a trade secret.

38. SDS Format Section 4: First aid measures
- Description of measures for all routes of exposure
- Most important symptoms/effects, acute and delayed
- Identification of immediate medical attention or special treatment needed, if necessary

39. SDS Format Section 5: Fire-fighting measures
- Suitable extinguishing media
- Specific hazards arising from chemical fire
- Special protective equipment or precautions for fire-fighters
Suitable extinguishing agents might include Class A FFF foam, dry chem, or other agent if water makes the hazard worse
Special hazards may include fatal gasses formed from burning chemicals to reactive properties of burning chemicals

40. SDS Format Section 6: Accidental release measures
- Personal precautions, PPE and protective equipment
- Methods for containment and clean up

41. SDS Format Section 7: Handling and storage
- Precautions for safe handling
- conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities

42. SDS Format Section 8: Exposure controls
- OSHA PEL ACGIH TLV and any other exposure limit used or recommended by the chemical manufacturer
PEL-Permissible exposure limit
ACGIH American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygenists
TLV-Threshold limit value

43. SDS Format Section 9: Physical and Chemical properties - Appearance
- Odor
- pH
- Flash point
- Vapor density
- Vapor pressure
- IDLH
- Upper/lower explosive limit
These are just a few examples of properties others are; specific gravity, solubility, auto-ignition temp, melting point, boiling point etc…

44. SDS Format Section 10: Stability and reactivity - Reactivity
- Chemical stability
- Possibility of hazardous reactions
- Conditions to avoid
- Incompatible materials
- Hazardous decomposition products

45. SDS Format Section 11: Toxicological information
- Information on likely routes of exposure
- Symptoms related to exposure
- Delayed effects from long term exposure
- Numerical measures of toxicity
- If product listed as carcinogen in NTP
NTP-National Toxicology Program

46. Sections 12-15 are not mandatory
SDS Format
Sections are not mandatory
Section 12: Ecological information
Section 13: Disposal considerations
Section 14: Transport information
Section 15: Regulatory information
Section 16: Other information
Including date of SDS or last revision
Section 12 could include ecotoxicity, persistence or degradability, bioaccumulative potential, mobility in soil etc…
Section 14 could include UN number and proper shipping name, transport hazard class, packing group etc..