Safety and Regulations

VersaFlex is committed to communicating hazards to customers by aligning with the changes to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard. This change brings a standard in communicating hazards to those who come in contact with VersaFlex materials on a global scale. The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) will improve safety and health protection for all workers.

The new hazard communication standard still requires chemical manufacturers and importers to evaluate the chemicals they produce or import and provide hazard information to employers and workers by putting labels on containers and preparing safety data sheets. However, the old standard allowed chemical manufacturers and importers to convey hazard information on labels and material safety data sheets in whatever format they chose. The modified standard provides a single set of harmonized criteria for classifying chemicals according to their health and physical hazards and specifies hazard communication elements for labeling and safety data sheets.

Major Changes

New_GHS_Symbols_TableHazard classification: Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to determine the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import. Hazard classification under the new, updated standard provides specific criteria to address health and physical hazards as well as classification of chemical mixtures.

Labels: Chemical manufacturers and importers must provide a label that includes a signal word, pictogram, hazard statement, and precautionary statement for each hazard class and category.

Safety Data Sheets: The new format requires 16 specific sections, ensuring consistency in presentation of important protection information.

Information and training: To facilitate understanding of the new system, the new standard requires that workers be trained on the new label elements and safety data sheet format, in addition to the current training requirements.

Additional Information

More information on the hazard communication standard, including the link to the Federal Register notice, can be found on OSHA’s hazard communication safety and health topics page at www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/index.html.

If you have specific questions related to Environmental, Health and Safety of VersaFlex materials, please contact us at EHS@versaflex.com.