A common theme in the "Best Practices Arena" has been found for many years across most manufacturing vertical markets using chemicals in the workplace (Automotive, Chemical, Energy, Oil & Gas, Pharmaceutical, Food & Beverage, etc.). The risk involved in the use, handling, and disposal of chemicals along with the potential exposure scenarios are generally the foundation of those Best Practices. Taking a proactive versus reactive approach has always been more difficult and often unattainable—ie, understanding risk and actively working to reduce it based on key, measurable criteria.
In the past few years, one of the most significant legislative changes related to the method of classifying and communicating chemical hazards has swept the world, most recently here in the United States. The adoption of the Globally Harmonized System (3rd Edition) into OSHA's 1910.1200 regulation in March of 2012 may be the most single impactful regulation since the original passage of the Hazcom regulation.
The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) brought about major changes in the way chemicals are classified and how those hazards classifications are communicated to anyone who may be exposed to them.
The implementation of "Chemical Management Best Practices" generally focuses on the minimization, handling, storage, and/or disposal of hazardous chemicals. Let's turn the focus to the less commonly used, but even more effective principal of Risk Reduction related to the use of chemical hazards in the workplace. The logical next step is to review how the methodology of GHS classifications will positively impact the Safety, Environmental, and Health professional's ability to understand, communicate, and reduce the risk of the use, hazardous chemicals. This paper will explore the adoption of GHS, the areas GHS information will support a successful Risk Reduction Best Practice, and how to use this information to reduce your Chemical Hazard Footprint.
