Ghs sds improves safety in workplaces

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GHS SDS Improves Safety in Workplaces
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• The Globally Harmonized System of Classification
  and Labeling of Chemicals is a set of
  recommendations developed by the UN. GHS
  incorporates guidelines on production, handling,
  transport and disposal of hazardous chemicals.
  Countries across the world are adapting GHS in a
  variety of ways and this has resulted in greater
  safety in workplaces as well as during storage
  and transport.

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• The system can be said to comprise of two
  components. One is the GHS SDS (safety data
  sheets). Divided into 16 sections, the
  standardized format makes it easy for everyone
  across the world to refer to, understand and act
  on the data sheet. Of more relevance to workers
  in the production process and people involved in
  storage and logistics is the other part of the
  SDS, which is the labeling system. The labeling
  has been revamped with the inclusion of 6
  elements. Since both the safety data sheet and
  the labeling are now standardized across the
  world, it is easier for even those with less
  education to read and understand labels.

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• Of course, modern technologies also help.
  Facilities are required to maintain at least one
  printed copy within easy access in production or
  handling areas. It is no surprise that printed
  copies are not referred to as often as they
  should be because they are not easily accessible.
  Modern IT technologies allow companies to store
  electronic formats of the data sheets in their
  computer system or in the cloud and make them
  available either through workstations on the shop
  floor or on personal devices such as smartphones
  and tablets. A supervisor who needs clarification
  can now easily refer the SDS and get immediate
  information. Knowledge helps them take
  appropriate precautionary steps that avoid
  accidents

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• In the case of workers who are not sufficiently
  literate it is the pictograms that give
  unequivocal information about the nature of the
  chemical they are handling. Whether it is workers
  in the production process or workers in transport
  and logistics who handle containers, they look at
  labels first. The revised GHS labels are
  unambiguous. Further, where cross border trade is
  involved, the SDS as well as labels must be in
  the local language in commonly used words and
  phrases without any ambiguity.

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• For manufacturers and dealers engaged in cross
  border trade it is important to have the GHS SDS
  prepared by experts. There are two reasons. One
  is that the expert is fully aware of various ways
  GHS is implemented in different countries and
  applicable clauses. The second is that they can
  translate the document to regional languages.
  Experts also assist with selection of the right
  category and the right classification of the
  product in the SDS meant for a specific country.

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