The Importance of the GHS

GHS is a way to label or categorize the different hazardous chemical substances. This kind of classification system was made by the United Nations since they believe that each country has an unharmonious of method of having the dangerous substances like inflammables and explosives classified. Moreover, there were serious problems when the dangerous substances were delivered to different countries that are not familiar about these and on how to deal with the related hazards. It was a great thing to have created a common platform that could be used by different countries that people could understand.

The GHS was made to be able to let people know about the potential danger that could occur from the different hazardous chemicals and how these can affect health and the environment. Moreover, the classification was linked to different hazards and the protective measures necessary and also the way that such substances need to be labeled. The different countries should be able to comply after a specified duration or time frame.

However, it must be understood that using the GHS is not a law or regulation. However, it is best to move to such new system to associate the chemical with the danger and also prepare the label or the safety data sheet or the SDS. It is best to have the label and also the SDS. With the implementation of this, then there is a reduce in the number of accidents which are related to chemicals. There will also be a reduction of the health costs. Also, there will be an increased protection of the workers in a dangerous environment that will lead to an increase in profits to the company because of the reduce in incidents and accidents.

Using the GHS, the different parties and the chemical producing industry as a whole benefit from this. Such system has benefited the different countries that utilized different systems and regulations for handling as well as labeling chemical products. There are also countries that have different systems used for similar chemicals. Because of this, the GHS training has been very useful.

There are lots of advantages offered by the GHS or the globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals. With this, it is a lot simpler and easier method of selling and purchasing things because every obtains similar information as well as regulations. Also, the operation costs among different companies are reduced because of the standard method for delivering chemicals instead of changing containers or the label according to where the chemicals are located. Moreover, the GHS can improve the safety in handling these chemicals because the public safety officials and workers have the information on how to respond to chemical spills or accidents the right way.

For more facts on the purpose of GHS, checkout HazCom 2012.

The Importance of Classifying Hazardous Materials Properly

Hazardous materials can be in solid, liquid, or gas form and we come across them more often than we can tell. When not handled in the proper fashion, it can cause a lot of harm to a person and to the environment. Hazardous materials can be toxic, radioactive, flammable, allergenic, asphyxiating or oxidizing in nature and can create a lot of damage if ignorance is exercised in the handling of these substances.  When it comes to the transportation of these substances, extra care must also be given and only qualified professionals should be doing such work.

In order to label a hazmat accordingly, the diamond sign is typically used and you are most probably familiar with this symbol. Depending on the danger or level of hazard of a certain substance, certain color codes will be used in order to label things accordingly. This system of labelling and using color in varying degrees is a good way to give the users and handlers an idea of how dangerous the substance really is right off the bat. For instance, if you see a diamond that features the color red, it is indicating that the substance is flammable while a yellow diamond will tell you that the substance contained is an oxidizing agent. Flammable and oxidizing materials put together will create an explosive substance which is why a red and yellow label will equal an orange and this is also used to label such substances. Items that are not flammable and non toxic are denoted by a green diamond. The degree of hazard that comes with a certain substance is quickly understood by properly labelling the containers.

In order to create a safer environment in the use of such materials, this labelling and classification system was put into place. Aside from knowing how to properly handle these substances when shipping or using them, proper disposal is also a part of why we need to properly label and classify these items. The rules when it comes to the handling and shipment of these hazardous materials is different in each country. It should also be noted that even with the worldwide use of the diamond as a symbol for hazmats, every country has its own classification and what is classified as a toxic gas in one country may be classified as a non flammable gas in another.

Because these substances travel to places and destinations that are far from their origin, there was a need to develop this system of classification and incorporate proper GHS training. Thus the globally harmonized system was born and has been in use in many different parts of the world ever since. Workers and handlers in every country that has dealt with hazmats finds it easy to handle and take the necessary precautions that help safeguard against the risks of such substances - all because the method of classification is now predictable and consistent.

The GHS training kit will be useful in each of the training everyone would undergo. So follow the link to get your own kit too.

Advantages Of GHS That Should Be Considered

It is the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, which is shortened to GHS. The main goal that was recognized upon the establishment of GHS is to set a standard for the classification of chemicals and other hazardous materials that will be recognized all throughout the world. This goal was set because it will be extremely helpful to those individuals, institutions and organizations that handles chemicals regularly. This system is also needed because the regulations in classifying and labeling chemicals and other potentially hazardous products varies from one country to another. In some countries, there are even several systems available for just the same chemicals. In most countries, there are systems in place regarding the classification of chemicals but there are also several issues associated with these established systems. Usually, the classifying systems that were preexisting were expensive both to the government that is enforcing it as well as the company to which it is imposed upon, not to mention terribly confusing to the workers who needs to understand it on top of making sure of their safety since they are handling chemicals on a daily basis. Another issue that comes up with the systems that were used previously was since it was difficult to figure out, whenever spills and other chemical disasters occurred, the workers had a hard time trying to figure out which action would be appropriate, therefore increasing the risk.                     

Globally Harmonized System of Classification and labeling of Chemicals offers a whole lot of benefits compared to other types of systems that were used previously. When GHS is used, since everybody is using only one system, chemical disasters due to confusion and miscommunication is thereby minimized, making it easy for everybody to handle and sell the chemicals. Aside from that, each country won't have to develop an organization that implements the system for chemical classification and expenses is also minimized for each chemical company because the handling and the shipping of the chemicals is the same everywhere, so there is no need to spend money on extra containers. This system if good for safety purposes as well as for the environment because with the sharing of information that comes along with it, there is a lesser need for animal testing.

The two major components that make up the GHS are: first, the rules of the GHS should be strictly followed in classifying the hazards caused by the chemicals, and the second one focuses on effectively communicating the dangers in handling the chemicals.

It's plain to see that GHS does not only benefit the many chemical companies but everybody as well. See GHS training resources for more details.

How Compliant is Your MSDS Software with GHS and Reach?

Worldwide, in the chemical industry, there are international regulations and standards that must be followed by every country dealing with hazardous materials. GHS and REACH are among those things that a country dealing with hazardous materials needs to comply with. Another thing that a country needs to think about is how to author their Material Safety Data Sheets or MSDS and it is important that country specific regulations be implemented. Companies will find that the management and handling of hazardous materials can be easy with the use material safety data sheets.

What is a material safety data sheet? These section 16 legal documents that are required by certain authorities and they describe the many things about a certain hazardous chemical or substance. The substance's physical and chemical properties, toxicity data, ecotoxicological data, storage and handling guidelines, disposal guidelines, and other information about the substance's articles and other components can all be found in the material safety data sheet. The material safety data sheet is basically important in order to comply with internal standards, laws, and regulations as well as to mitigate the risks associated with the handling of hazardous and chemical materials.

The material safety data sheet should include all information on the substance. This data should include: the product's chemical identity, the substance's physical and chemical properties, health hazard information, information on safety aids and their needs, information on the manufacturer, over exposure symptoms, immediate action in the event of an accident, and information on fire and explosion hazards.

The reading and interpretation of a material safety data sheet can prove to be tricky at times. At the start, the use of the MSDS was only intended for chemical engineers and safety professionals. Eventually, anyone who would come into contact with hazardous chemicals or materials was eventually required to use a material safety data sheet. Different manufacturers will have their own sets of material safety data sheets but the information and chapter segmentations must be the same and should adhere to international standards and regulations. Depending on the manufacturer, however, the formats may differ.

The EU felt the need to be more cautious and implement better regulations and safety precautions for the handling of hazardous chemical and materials and thus considered GHS training. As a result, REACH was formed. Parallel to REACH is the GHS or the globally harmonized system of classification which was developed by the UN. Because of the introduction of these systems of classification, the creation of the MSDS has proven to be a bit more challenging these days. See GHS training resources.

GHS: Truth Revealed

It is an undeniable fact that chemical substances play vital roles in the lives of individuals across the world. You can find them at home, at work, in laboratories and in farms. Aside from the fact that these chemical products exist in different purposes as well. Despite its significance, there are chemical substances which are hazardous to handle, transport as well as deal with. You can also find chemical products which are hazardous to Mother Earth. For these reasons, it is mandatory for everybody to handle these products with utmost care. To avert detrimental situations from occurring, there is a dire need for the imposition of technique in handling, sorting as well as in transporting these chemical substances. We have to property identify, sort and classification these chemical so we will know how to handle disastrous chemicals, especially when disasters and accidents occur. In response to the growing concerns related to chemicals, the Globally Harmonized System of Chemical Labeling and Classification is created. In here, you will get some overview of GHS and how it is created.

These days, there is a tremendous rise in commerce and trade of chemical products across the world. These activities are risky because it threatened the health and welfare of people handling them as well as those around them. For the reason that the United States is at the apex when it comes to the trading and commerce of chemical products, it is important for the government to impose ways to effectively classify these items to avert the hazards and risks correlated with its handling and transportation. Statistics data reveal that the U.S. chemical sectors holds about five hundred billion, out of the global eight billion dollars of the global chemical trade, of chemical export trade. With the implementation of the GHS, the chemical industry ensures the safety of employees handling these products.

To ensure that companies complied and are abreast with the latest chemical industry standards, they appointed a GHS team to be responsible in the provision of GHS training as well as making revisions and amendments on its in-house GHS.

By having GHS on companies, they can use of SDS not just in-house but also regional and international level. These firms are ordered to provide their workers with SDS so they will always be informed on how to effectively deal with these chemical products.

The GHS is deemed as a purple book that guides companies as well as keep them informed on the global chemical safety standards, especially concerning the sorting, classification, handling and transporting of chemical substances. The first draft of the GHS was adopted in the U.S. in December 2002 and later adopted by other countries across the world.

Get the GHS training kit today and have everyone get into good awareness of safety.