ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration realigned the Hazard Communication Standard with the Globally Harmonized System in 2012.

For seven years now, we've been under this new standard not only for container labeling requirements and the newly mandated format of safety data sheets, but also for changes to employee training.

Employee training establishes the "Right to Know" or understanding and recognition of new products introduced into the workplace or the shop area.

The first step of this process is ensuring employees are aware of the hazards of the product by reviewing the SDS.

The SDS is a standard 16-paragraph document which contains the following:

1. Identification

2. Hazard Identification

3. Composition/ Information on ingredients

4. First-aid measures

5. Fire-fighting measures

6. Accidental release measures

7. Handling and storage

8. Exposure controls/personal protection

9. Physical and chemical properties

10. Stability and reactivity

11. Toxicological information

12. Ecological information

13. Disposal considerations

14. Transport information

15. Regulatory information

16. Other information

As routine users of chemicals and hazardous products, employees should be familiar with the paragraphs and information contained in the safety data sheet.

Before using a new or revised product, at a minimum, employees should be familiar with the following paragraphs of the SDS:

• Paragraph 2, Hazard Identification: This paragraph contains the classification, signal word, hazard statement, pictograms, precautionary statement and description of any hazards not otherwise identified.

• Paragraph 4, First-Aid Measures: These instructions are very important to know in the event you or a co-worker are exposed to a hazardous material. This paragraph contains the necessary first-aid instructions by relevant routes of exposure (inhalation, skin and eye contact and ingestion). Descriptions include the most important symptoms or effects and any symptoms that are acute or delayed. It also provides recommendations for immediate medical care and special treatment needed, when necessary.

• Paragraph 7, Handling and Storage: This section describes the precautions for safe handling, including recommendations for incompatible chemicals, minimizing the release of the chemical into the environment and providing advice on general hygiene practices, such as prohibiting eating, drinking or smoking, and personal hygiene practices, such as washing your hands and face after working with the product or chemical.

• Paragraph 8, Exposure Controls/Personal Protective Equipment: This paragraph is where you can find safe work practices and the required PPE to use while handling the hazardous material. You will also find action levels and exposure limits, engineering controls such as recommended ventilation requirements and any other special PPE requirements.

Employees should have easy access to SDSs in their workplace or shop area.

Product information allows employees to be knowledgeable of engineering and/or administrative controls for using the product and the proper PPE to safely apply the product.

As new or updated chemicals are added, employees must be well-trained on the hazards and tools needed to ensure their safety. This may include the controls used for applying the product, pre- and post-application procedures and what PPE must be used to provide protection.

As chemicals are removed from the workplace or shop, or when new processes are introduced, employees may need additional training.

Updating chemical inventories in your workplace or shop SDS binder is critical.

Inventories must contain all hazardous chemicals which are present and always be available, not only for the employees but also for first responders, medical care personnel and compliance inspectors.

A dedicated person assigned to the workplace or shop should be identified for maintaining the chemical inventory and ensuring it's kept up to date.

Container labeling provides employees with an immediate reminder of a chemical's hazards.

Chemical manufacturers and distributors are required to provide proper labeling on all containers, but, if those chemicals are transferred to other containers for use in the workplace, the employer is responsible for properly labeling the container.

Write-in labels can be located and printed from the ANAD Safety Office intranet page under GHS Labels.

The labels are different sizes for different containers and can be printed off on regular size paper in quantities of 1, 2 or 4 to a sheet.

If a hazardous material or chemical used in your work area does not have a SDS in the binder, the sheet can be found on the ANAD Safety Office intranet page.

The SDS repository is where employees can view and print the manufacturer's SDS. Go to the Safety Office's intranet page and click on the SDS icon.

There, you can type the product name in the search box and select the product by the SDS number.

It's easy for small changes to go unnoticed, but if we train and become familiar with new and updated safety data sheets, we'll create a safer work place for all employees.