This course provides essential guidance on understanding and using GHS-compliant container labels in construction environments. Participants will learn how OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HAZCOM) and the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) work together to ensure that hazardous materials are clearly labeled for safety and compliance. The training focuses on label elements, pictograms, and how to interpret them to work safely around hazardous substances.
Highlights include:
- Overview of OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HAZCOM) and workers’ “right to know”
- Purpose and structure of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for classifying and labeling chemicals
- Differences between older HAZCOM labeling systems and the standardized GHS approach
- Components of a GHS container label: product identifier, signal word, hazard statements, precautionary statements, and supplier information
- Explanation of the nine GHS pictograms, including their meaning and the types of hazards they represent
- When and where GHS-compliant labels are required, including exceptions for in-house containers
- How GHS labeling improves communication in diverse workforces and emergency situations
By the end of the course you will have learned:
- How to identify and interpret the components of a GHS container label
- The purpose and meaning of each GHS pictogram
- What information must be included on chemical labels to meet OSHA and GHS standards
- How GHS labels support safer handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials
- How to quickly access critical hazard information to reduce risk and respond appropriately in emergencies