Out of OSHA’s top ten most cited standards, the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) ranks as the number 2 most frequently cited standard. How does this affect you and your business?
According to OSHA, the smallest companies with only 1-19 employees, contributed to $70 million in penalties. In contrast, the largest companies with more than 250 employees were fined a total of $16.2 million. The numbers indicate an inversely proportional relationship between the company size and the number of safety violations. This inverse relationship may be attributed to smaller companies having limited resources to comply with safety and health regulations.
The Hazard Communication Standard is now aligned with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Aligning HCS with GHS has allowed improvements in the quality and consistency of hazard information in the workplace, making it safer for workers by providing easily understandable information on the safe use of hazardous chemicals.
June 1st 2015 marked the GHS deadline for manufacturers to convert their existing MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) to the new GHS compliant SDS (Safety Data Sheet). With HCS being the number 2 most frequently cited standard even before GHS took effect, understanding HCS in alignment with GHS is critical for employers to remain in compliance.
To avoid regulatory compliance fines, smaller companies should take extra steps to understand the many changes to HCS. A solution for smaller companies is to partner with a reputable safety solution provider. OSHA has stated that, “workplaces that establish safety and health management systems can reduce their injury and illness cost by 20-40%.” By investing in safety, not only will companies save in preventable costs, they show their commitment to their workers by protecting and ensuring their safe return home to their families.
For more information on HCS in alignment with GHS, check out our resource center at https://usequantum.com/free-downloads/
