Sometimes just as soon as you wonder what people at OSHA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency do with their free time …
Boom, they remind you what they’re doing all along.
Every once in a while, as you all know (at least, those of you loyal readers of this little corner of the Interwebs), I come across some news items that are of some importance to all safety officers and those who are in the position to monitor workplace safety. This is another one of those times, as I found a couple of items in a recent issue of Professional Safety magazine, both of which have to do with the handling of hazardous materials. This post will cover both of these items to provide you with the information you may have missed. As they say, ignorance is not an excuse, so you might as well drop the ignorance and get the knowledge, right? I’m here to help.
![[Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons]](http://www.safetymatterstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/hazard-via-Wikimedia-Commons1.png)
[Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons]
In a “Class” of Their Own
Our first little news brief comes from OSHA, which recently sent out a directive regarding a HazCom standard that was first announced in 2012 and has been in the transitional process of full implementation since. The directive was created to help address questions and some confusion that had arisen from the original standard that was published, and is aimed to make sure that the parameters of OSHA inspectors were made more clear in that it was about enforcing the HazCom standard more uniformly.
The standard made some changes to classification of hazardous materials and completely revamped the safety data sheets (SDS) and labels associated with hazardous chemicals. The most recent deadline of December 1st has passed, which was the date on which distributors were to stop using old labels on products they shipped. By June 1, employers are to have their written safety protocols updated and should have provided new training for workers who handle these materials.
The directive was written to inform of the role that OSHA inspectors play – which is not to necessarily check for the accuracy of classifications, but just to ensure that everyone involved with hazardous materials have done due diligence in obtaining and presenting information as accurately and completely as possible both on SDS and on labels, and that both are in proper form. The full directive is available to read.
Pesticide Protection
The other noteworthy news item regarding safety regulations comes from one of the top regulatory agencies, the U.S. EPA. This regulation is intended to better protect farm workers who work around and with various pesticides on property.
The EPA announced revisions to the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (AWPS), which was created to protect workers from overexposure to dangerous pesticides. The fact sheet about AWPS is available, and it provides updated information since the revisions were introduced.
The revised standard is intended to strengthen worker protections and rights, ensuring that all workers receive safety training at least annually; banning anyone under age 18 from handling pesticides; requiring that workers are made aware of their protections under the standard; and ensuring that all works exercise their rights to have the necessary tools to handle these chemicals safely. The changes will go into effect upon publication in the Federal Register, which is due to happen in the coming weeks.