If so, OSHA is requiring that employers must have trained their employees on the new label elements and SDS format by December 1, 2013. OSHA aims to ensure employees have the information they need to better protect themselves from chemical hazards in the workplace through this training to understand the new label and SDS formats.
The type of information the employees would expect to see on the new labels include new information on:
- Product identifiers
- Signal words
- Pictograms
- Hazard statements
- Precautionary statements
- Name, address and phone number of the chemical manufacturer, distributor or importer
As a friendly reminder, OSHA requires employers to present information in a manner and language that employees can understand. If employers customarily need to communicate work instructions or other workplace information to employees in a language other than English, they will also need to provide safety and health training to employees in the same manner. Similarly, if the employee’s vocabulary is limited, the training must account for that limitation. It is important to note that if employees are not literate, telling them to read training materials will not satisfy the employer’s training obligation.
Please don't hesitate to contact your Heffernan representative with any questions.