GHS Container Labels in Food Processing and Handling Environments

Every year, exposure to hazardous materials results in thousands of injuries and illnesses that could be prevented with the right knowledge. For food service workers frequently handling cleaning chemicals, sanitizers, and other substances, understanding safety labels is a critical part of the job. This training breaks down OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard and the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), providing a comprehensive guide to reading, interpreting, and applying the information found on chemical container labels to ensure a safe working environment.

Course Highlights:

• The Right to Know: Understanding OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard and why workers have the right to understand the chemicals they handle.
• The GHS System: How the Globally Harmonized System standardizes chemical classification and labeling worldwide to prevent confusion.
• Visualizing Hazards: A detailed breakdown of the nine GHS pictograms, including the “Flame,” “Exclamation Point,” and “Health Hazard” symbols.
• Text Elements: How to interpret Product Identifiers, Hazard Statements, and Precautionary Statements.
• Signal Words: The difference between “Warning” and “Danger” regarding the severity of a hazard.
• Container Types: Labeling rules for secondary “in-house” containers, bulk shipments, and small containers under 100 milliliters.

By the end of the course, you will have learned:

• Identify and interpret the nine standard GHS pictograms to quickly assess physical, health, and environmental hazards.
• Locate critical text elements on a label, including supplier information and medical response instructions.
• Distinguish between GHS workplace labels and Department of Transportation (DOT) shipping labels.
• Apply the information found in Precautionary Statements to handle, store, and dispose of materials safely.
• Recognize the formatting standards that help you find safety information quickly, even during an emergency.