International Leadership Forum on Global Harmonized System Regulatory Implementation around the World. Sponsored by. Practice Specialty

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1 International Leadership Forum on Global Harmonized System Regulatory Implementation around the World Sponsored by Practice Specialty

2 Panel Presentation Outline Introduction of topic : Ashok Garlapati,CSP,QEP,CMIOSH Administrator, IPS Sr HSE Specialist, Kuwait Oil Co. 1. Canadian perspective By Andrew Cooper, President, CSSE, Canada 2. Latin America perspective By Oscar Parades, EHS Manager, Granite Services International Inc, Houston, USA 3. Europe / UK perspective By Subash Ludhra - CFIOSH, Past President - IOSH, UK

3 Introduction By Ashok Garlapati,CSP,QEP,CMIOSH Administrator, IPS Sr HSE Specialist, Kuwait Oil Co.

4 Introduction ASSE has a subgroup, IPS, which provides a global professional forum for advancing the international issues that affect safety, health and environmental (SH&E) professionals. IPS supports one of the key elements of the Society's vision statement to provide global leadership in the safety profession. In order to further the vision of ASSE, IPS presents an International Leadership Forum on this important topic Global Harmonization System- Regulatory Implementation around the world.

5 About Globally Harmonization System Goal of establishing globally harmonized system for hazard communication established in 1992 at Rio Earth Summit. Mandate: A globally harmonized hazard classification and compatible labelling system, including national safety data sheets and easily understandable symbols, should be available, if feasible, by the year 2000.

6 About Global Harmonization System Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) coordinated the development of environmental and health hazard classification criteria. UN Committee of Experts on Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN COE) developed criteria for physical hazards (explosives, flammables, reactives). International Labour Organization (ILO) served as Secretariat for overall coordination.

7 About Globally Harmonization System GHS of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals is a system that defines and classifies the hazards of chemical products, and communicates health and safety information on labels and material safety data sheets (called Safety Data Sheets, or SDSs, in GHS). The goal is that the same set of rules for classifying hazards, and the same format and content for labels and safety data sheets (SDS) will be adopted and used around the world.

8 About Globally Harmonization System GHS promises to deliver several distinct benefits. Among them are: - Promoting regulatory efficiency. - Facilitating trade. - Easing compliance. - Reducing costs. - Providing improved consistent hazard information. - Encouraging the safe transport, handling and use of chemicals. - Promoting better emergency response to chemical incidents. - Reducing the need for animal testing.

9 About Globally Harmonization System The GHS system covers all hazardous chemicals and may be adopted to cover chemicals in the workplace, transport, consumer products, pesticides and pharmaceuticals. The target audiences for GHS include workers, transport workers, emergency responders and consumers

10 Element of GHS The two major elements of GHS are: 1. Classification of the hazards of chemicals according to the GHS rules: GHS provides guidance on classifying pure chemicals and mixtures according to its criteria or rules. 2. Communication of the hazards and precautionary information using Safety Data Sheets and labels: i. Labels - With the GHS system, certain information will appear on the label. For example, the chemical identity may be required. Standardized hazard statements, signal words and symbols will appear on the label according to the classification of that chemical or mixture. Precautionary statements may also be required, if adopted by your regulatory authority. ii. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) - The GHS SDS has 16 sections in a set order, and minimum information is prescribed.

11 GHS hazard groupings and building block concept? Within the GHS classification system, there are three major hazard groups: - Physical hazards. - Health hazards. - Environmental hazards Within each of these hazard groups there are classes and categories. Each of these parts is called a building block. Each country can determine which building blocks of the GHS system it will use in their different sectors (workplace, transportation, consumers). Once the building blocks are chosen, the corresponding GHS rules for classification and labels must be used.

12 Classes within the Health hazard group Criteria for classifying chemicals have been developed for the following health hazard classes:: Acute toxicity. Skin corrosion/irritation. Serious eye damage/eye irritation. Respiratory or skin sensitization. Germ cell mutagenicity. Carcinogenicity. Reproductive toxicity. Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure. Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure. Aspiration hazard In addition, there are specific classification rules for chemical mixtures for each health hazard class.

13 Classes within the Physical hazard group Criteria for classifying chemicals have been developed for the following physical hazard classes: Explosives. Flammable gases. Flammable aerosols. Oxidizing gases. Gases under pressure. Flammable liquids. Flammable solids. Self-reactive substances and mixtures. Pyrophoric liquids. Pyrophoric solids Self-heating substances and mixtures. Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases. Oxidizing liquids. Oxidizing solids. Organic peroxides. Corrosive to metals.

14 Classes within the Environmental hazard group Criteria for classifying chemicals have been developed for the following environmental hazard class: Hazardous to the aquatic environment (acute and chronic). Hazardous to the ozone layer In addition, there are specific classification rules for chemical mixtures for each environmental hazard class

15 GHS is a dynamic System The international GHS committee meets twice a year to work on developing potential new hazard classes as well as resolving specific issues, and updating the latest GHS publication. Currently many different countries have different systems for classification and labeling of chemical products. In addition, several different systems can exist even within the same country. This situation has been expensive for governments to regulate and enforce, costly for companies who have to comply with many different systems, and confusing for workers who need to understand the hazards of a chemical in order to work safely.

16 Rationale behind U.S. adoption of GHS Many of American companies are major importers of chemicals as well as exporters, and missing or incomplete information on chemicals importing may lead to reduced protections for workers and public. Large number of varying requirements around the world create potential barriers to trade in chemicals, particularly for small businesses. A harmonized and consistent approach has benefits both in terms of protection and trade.

17 OSHA HCS Final Rule New rule does NOT reduce level of protections afforded under original HazCom standard (29 CFR ) Method of communication and information transmitted now varies with HCS whereas GHS makes more consistent GHS system is based on international negotiations and OSHA plans to learn from implementation experience of other nations

18 OSHA HCS Final Rule- What to do and when? Effective Completion Date December 1, 2013 June 1, 2015* December 1, 2015 Requirement(s) Train employees on the new label elements and SDS format. Comply with all modified provisions of this final rule, except: Distributors may ship products labeled by manufacturers under the old system until December 1, Who Employers Chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors and employers June 1, 2016 Update alternative workplace labeling and hazard communication program as necessary, and provide additional employee training for newly identified physical or health hazards. Employers Transition Period Comply with either 29 CFR (this final standard), or the current standard, or both. All chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors and employers * This date coincides with the European Union implementation date for classification of mixtures.

19 GHS - Global Implementation The new system is being implemented throughout the World by countries including Canada, the European Union, China, Latin America, Australia, and Japan The panel of international experts will share their experience on this important issue with respect to GHS implementation and related regulatory compliance. Each Country paper will cover on : - Is GHS included in the Country regulatory regime? - Are there any additional requirements to the UN GHS at Country level? - Practical implantation suggestions/ action plans? - Other related issues

20 INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP FORUM: GLOBAL HARMONIZATION - REGULATORY IMPLEMENTATION IN CANADA PRESENTED BY: ANDREW COOPER, PRESIDENT OF CSSE

21 The GHS Conversation in Canada Are you ready for GHS? It s that thing that s going to replace WHMIS Some day some day soon... GHS?...What s that? Oh ok when is that going to happen?

22 Pre-Regulatory State - Canada No consistency on product classification and container labeling Very difficult to get good information on chemical hazards and controls to workers and consumers Physical Hazards and Events Acute Health Effects Occupational Illnesses Chemical spills and releases Impacts to Emergency Responders, Communities and the Environment

23 Current Regulatory State - Canada Workplace Hazardous Products Act, Controlled Products Regulations (Federal WHMIS Framework) Provincial OHS Acts, Regulations & Codes Transport Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act & Regulations (Federal) Consumer Consumer Products Act & Regulations (Federal) Pesticides Pest Control Products Act & Regulations (Federal) Various Provincial Pesticide Acts and Regulations

24 Canada s Alignment with UN GHS Are we aligned? Yes, mostly A variety of GHS Editions 5 th Revised Edition is pending 4 th Revised Edition has been finalized 3 rd Revised Edition U.S. & Canada working on this version for regulatory framework

25 Canada s Action Plan on GHS Canada/U.S. Working Group between Health Canada and U.S. OSHA Meets Annually Supported by a Task Team on the GHS for Workplace Chemicals Federal Action Plan 1. Establish mechanism to coordinate implementation of GHS between both countries 2. Establish process for stakeholder engagement 3. Coordinate technical interpretations for workplace chemicals 4. Implement GHS for Workplace Chemicals (Jan. 2014) Provincial transition required in 2015/2016

26 Expected Changes in the Canadian Workplace Different chemical classification system Changes to container labeling and hazard symbols Changes to safety data sheets Impacts to worker education and training programs

27 Implementation Considerations Start getting serious about GHS it is coming Educate yourself and communicate with organizational stakeholders Conduct a gap analysis Make a plan Make it real and relevant Position the GHS tools (classifications, labels, sds s) as part of your overall hazard/risk identification, evaluation and control strategy

28 Some Canadian GHS Resources CCOHS OSH Answers on GHS html Health Canada Preparing for the GHS Implementation in Canada

29 Thank you! CSSE Canada s Safety, Health and Environmental Practitioners

30 INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP FORUM: GLOBAL HARMONIZATION - LATIN AMERICA PERSPECTIVE BY OSCAR PARADES, EHS MANAGER, GRANITE SERVICES INTERNATIONAL INC, HOUSTON, USA

32 INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP FORUM: GLOBAL HARMONIZATION EUROPE /UK PERSPECTIVE BY SUBASH LUDHRA - CFIOSH, PAST PRESIDENT - IOSH, UK

34 Q&A Open Discussion

35 Thank you all!!!! Sponsored by Practice Specialty

Luisa Su, M.H.Sc. ROH. Whistler, British Columbia September 21, 2011

Luisa Su, M.H.Sc. ROH. Whistler, British Columbia September 21, 2011 GHS the New WHMIS: Coming to Your Workplace Soon Luisa Su, M.H.Sc. ROH CSSE 2011 Whistler, British Columbia September 21, 2011 Today s presentation Differences in approaches WHMIS/GHS classification WHMIS/GHS