February 16th, 2021 DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

86 FR 9576-9831

29 CFR Part 1910 [Docket No. OSHA–2019–0001]

RIN 1218–AC93 Hazard Communication Standard

AGENCY ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY: OSHA is proposing through this notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to modify the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to conform to the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) Revision 7 (GHS, Rev. 7), to address issues that arose during the implementation of the 2012 update to the HCS, and provide better alignment with other U.S. agencies and international trading partners, without lowering overall protections of the standard. OSHA has preliminarily determined that the proposed revisions to the HCS will reduce costs and burdens while also improving the quality and consistency of information provided to employers and employees regarding chemical hazards and associated protective measures. Consistent with the Executive order entitled ‘‘Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review’’ (January 18, 2011) and section 3(a) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, which call for assessment and, where appropriate, modification and improvement of existing rules to minimize any significant economic impact upon a substantial number of small entities, OSHA has reviewed the existing HCS. The agency has preliminarily determined that the proposed revisions will enhance the effectiveness of the HCS by ensuring employees are appropriately apprised of the chemical hazards to which they may be exposed, thus reducing the incidence of chemical-related occupational illnesses and injuries. The proposed modifications to the standard include revised criteria for classification of certain health and physical hazards, revised provisions for updating labels, new labeling provisions for small containers, technical amendments related to the contents of safety data sheets (SDSs), and related revisions to definitions of terms used in the standard.

DATES: Comments on this NPRM (including requests for hearing) and other information must be submitted by April 19, 2021.

Read More:

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-02-16/pdf/2020-28987.pdf

https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/FR-2021-02-16/2020-28987