Safety.BLR.com (05/25/2012)

On May 25, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s revisions to the hazard communication standard to align worker right-to-know requirements with the United Nation’s Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals went into effect, but there is a four-year transition period for employers to comply. Part of the change involves replacing existing material safety data sheets with new 16-section safety data sheets. OSHA says employers must train employees in the new requirements before the transition occurs and by the time the new labels and safety data sheets are implemented.