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SAFETY WATCH The Global Harmonized System Of Safety By Pete Engelbert W e have finally mastered HazCom, so they decided to change it. Welcome to the Global Harmonized System. In 1983, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released its Hazard Communication (HazCom) regulation, which required Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). It took all this time to get acceptance of reviewing the MSDS as a part of every job. We are better for it. However, in the ever-changing economy, globally, there is a great need to have a comprehensive, universal approach to passing on the hazardous properties of the chemicals we use. To accomplish this task, OSHA has modified our now-familiar HazCom regulation to the Global Harmonized System (GHS). The GHS provides a uniform system adopted by the United Nations (UN) several years ago. Often the question with internationally based schemes of standardization is: Are we settling for something less than we had? In this case, the answer is no. The modifica- tions OSHA has made to the HazCom regulation, while in line with the GHS, include some changes. However, these new changes will still allow the level of detailed information we have relied upon to keep us informed and safe for over two decades. We will have to get used to these changes. As always, the chemical manufacturers must take a good look at their products, now called "substances." Previously, they had to follow certain criteria for what informat ion they had to list. The criteria have tight- ened up a bit. The manufacturer must now classify the substances accord- 28 CoatingsPro J July 2012 For many employees in construction trades, this will not mean much of a change. For the painting world, this is a big deal and for the better! ing to hazard classes, similar to the Department of Transportation's hazard classes (based on UN regulations for Dangerous Goods). These classes are listed in this article. Please take a look at the pictograms and signal words. These are designed for instant recogni- tion to trained employees. This is new for MSDS (or as they are now known, Substance Data Sheets, {SDS}). The SDS will have a new look, too. In the past, when looking at a MSDS, we had to go hunting for information. Now the sections are standardized and must be in a set order. For many employ- ees in construction trades, this will not