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From: Cal/OSHA Compliance Advisor E-Alert
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Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 11:21 AM
To: DMDECKER**At_Symbol_Here**ucdavis.edu
Subject: COCA Weekly E-Alert: Federal OSHA Accepting Comments on GHS
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September 20, 2006
In this Issue:
Federal OSHA: OSHA Accepting Comments on the Globally Harmonized System
of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)
Consensus Standards: Two Revised Standards Released by National Fire
Protection Association
This Month in the Cal/OSHA Compliance Advisor: Artificial Flavorings
Workplace Safety Tip: Telecommuter Safety
Popular Problem-Solvers from the Employer Resource Institute
Cal/OSHA Compliance Advisor Feedback Request
About the Cal/OSHA Compliance Advisor Weekly E-Alert
Federal OSHA: OSHA Accepting Comments on the Globally Harmonized System
of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)
Federal OSHA
is
seeking public comment on the implementation of the Globally Harmonized
System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Adoption of
the GHS by OSHA will require OSHA to propose changes to the Agency's
Hazard Communication Standard (HCS).
The GHS, which has been adopted by the United Nations, is a system for
standardizing and harmonizing the classification and labeling of
chemicals by providing a comprehensive approach to defining the health
and physical hazards of chemicals, creating classification processes,
and communicating hazard information through uniform labels and safety
data sheets. The United Nations has set a goal of broad international
adoption of the GHS by 2008. The adoption of the GHS will facilitate
international trade by increasing the consistency between the laws in
different countries that currently require different information be
provided to employers and employees about chemicals during their
production, transportation, use, and disposal based on jurisdiction.
OSHA has prepared a guidance document that explains the requirements of
the GHS
.
Written comments (in triplicate) must be submitted not later than Nov.
13, 2006, to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket No. H-022K, Room N2625, U.S.
Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C.
Electronic comments may be submitted here
.
Additional Resources:
More Articles About Federal OSHA
More Articles About Hazard Communication
Post your questions or comments about this article.
(Requires subscription or trial)
________________________________
Consensus Standards: Two Revised Standards Released by National Fire
Protection Association
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has updated two of its
personal protective equipment (PPE) certification standards. One
standard, NFPA 1994 Standard on Protective Ensembles for First
Responders to CBRN Terrorism Incidents, sets minimum protection
requirements for emergency first responders to incidents involving
chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) particulate
terrorism agents. The revision brings the standard into compliance with
CBRN respirator standards set by the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH). The other, NFPA 1971 Standard on Protective
Ensembles for Structural and Proximity Fire Fighting, has been revised
to include an optional protection category for CBRN hazards. To obtain
the revised standards, visit the NFPA Web site.
Additional Resources:
More Articles About Emergency Planning and Response
More Articles About Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Post your questions or comments about this article.
(Requires subscription or trial)
________________________________
This Month in the Cal/OSHA Compliance Advisor: Artificial Flavorings
Two labor unions and more than 40 environmental and occupational health
experts have petitioned the U.S. Secretary of Labor to issue an
emergency temporary standard regulating workplace exposures to diacetyl,
a chemical used to manufacture the artificial butter flavoring in
microwave popcorn and other products.
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union and the
International Brotherhood of Teamsters have asked for the standard to
protect workers throughout the food industry who may be exposed to this
chemical. Diacetyl is made or used in at least 25 manufacturing
facilities in California, but health and safety experts claim the risk
could extend beyond the microwave popcorn and flavorings industry to
other snack food, frozen food, candy, pastry, and dog food makers as
well, greatly increasing the number of potentially exposed workers. To
learn more about this emerging hazard, check out "Artificial Flavorings:
A Workplace Hazard Emerges; State DOSH and Federal OSHA Consider
Emergency Temporary Standards"
in the September
issue
of COCA.
Additional Resources:
More Articles About Air Contaminants
Browse the September 2006 issue
________________________________
Workplace Safety Tip: Telecommuter Safety
Cal/OSHA requires you to provide workers with a safe and healthy
workplace, even if your employees work at home. You could be liable if
an employee is injured while working at home, or if a third party is
injured in an employee's home office - and since you will likely have
few or no witnesses to the incident, you may not be able to verify how
it occurred. These six tips can help you minimize the risk:
1. Create a written telecommuting agreement
. Specific ground rules may
include
requiring workers to create a separate work space and comply with all
company policies and procedures while working at home.
2. Use self-certification safety inspection forms.
For example, ask whether a
worker's chair is adjustable, his or her monitor is positioned
correctly, phone lines and extension cords are secured along a
baseboard, and stairways are well-lit.
3. Review your safety policy. Make sure your policy covers home
offices, and requires employees who work at home to promptly report
injuries - including those that may occur outside business hours.
4. Review your worker's compensation insurance policy. Some
worker's comp carriers require you to submit information about
telecommuting arrangements, including your employee's home address.
5. Contact your general insurance broker. Rather than relying on
your employees to carry insurance that would cover injuries to customers
or clients while in their home, ask your insurance broker to add an
endorsement to your policy that extends your company's general liability
insurance to home locations.
6. Discourage employees from meeting with customers and clients at
their homes.
Additional Resources:
Special Report: Setting Up a Telecommuting Program - a Toolkit For
Employers
(Requires subscription or trial)
Telecommuting Policies and Resources for California state employees
Federal OSHA's enforcement directive on home-based worksites
Post your questions or comments about this article.
(Requires subscription or trial)
________________________________
Popular Problem-Solvers from the Employer Resource Institute
2006 California Employment Law Update
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written exclusively for California employers.
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from the Employer Resource Institute.
________________________________
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