First, you should understand that the GHS is broken down into three major components: physical hazards, health and environmental hazards, and hazard communication. The physical hazards and health and environmental hazards components revolve around testing chemicals in order to classify the type of hazards associated with the chemical or chemicals that make up the product. The greatest changes will be seen in the hazard communication component.

Next, you need to evaluate the target audience that you will fit into under the GHS.  Currently, the 4 main audiences for the GHS are transport, workplace, consumer, and agriculture.  Once, you realize where you fit, and some companies may fit into more than one sector, you can start to see what you need for compliance.

Within the transportation sector, it is projected that the pictograms used in the GHS will be used on containers carrying dangerous chemicals.  However, other aspects of GHS such as signal words will not be adopted. The workplace sector is expected to adopt the type of labels that will display signal words, hazards statements, and symbols.  As well as, revised training for employees.  The consumer sector will see risk based labels that incorporate the signal words, hazards statements, and symbols.  The agriculture sector will see about the same type of adoption to the GHS that the workplace sector will see. Prominent HazCom display is a must as well.

Companies should also realize that the adoption of GHS will also demand changes to Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and training.  The impact to business finances is difficult to quantify, but hopefully will be considered by OSHA before a final decision is reached. However, the benefits should also be weighed.  It is expected that companies will find it easier to do business in other countries; there will be a greater pool for training resources; and, training will be focused on understanding and comprehension.

If you are interested in getting more information on the UN’s Globally Harmonized System and getting ahead of the game, you should visit OSHA’s guide to the GHS at http://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/ghs.html#2.3.

This time of year companies are reviewing and preparing their injuries and incidents reports in order to complete their OSHA logs, which must be posted by February 1.  OSHA recording is usually a daunting task for most, especially if you have more than 100 employees, or just a significant number of indemnity claims.  Usually, the hardest part of completing OSHA logs is mentally separating the rules of workers compensation with the recordable requirements of OSHA.  So to make it easier for you we have noted the most common mistakes below.

• Failing to check behind your TPA (Third-Party Administrator) or Insurance Company –   Tons of companies choose to let someone else handle their OSHA logs, as this is much easier than doing it yourself.  The problem is not checking their lost-time and modified-duty days.  Most workers compensation statutes require a waiting period, usually 7 days, before adjusters start counting days.  These days are usually not on the radar for most insurances companies and TPAs.  For example, a medical-only claim where the injured worker only missed two days may fall between the cracks on a TPA-completed OSHA log.
• Forgetting to include injuries that were not considered workers compensation or that was denied under workers compensation. – This is a biggie and so easy to do.  A lot of people forget that an injury does not have to be an injury compensable under workers compensation statutes to be recordable under the guidelines of OSHA. For example, heart attacks are not always compensable under workers compensation.  However, heart attacks may be recorded on the log.  You will need to report all heart attacks to OSHA and they will decide whether or not it is recordable.
• Realizing that it must be a new event -  Some employees have multiple injuries throughout the course of a year.  It is important to ensure that an employee is completely healed from an injury.  For example if your employee suffered a knee injury in 2008 and was still seeking medical treatment, another injury, while doing their normal job functions, to that same knee would not be considered a new event.
• Failing to update prior years – OSHA allows you to stop counting loss time and modified duty days at 180, if an injury is recorded in one year and the employee is still losing time.  It is critical that you update your OSHA logs for that year.  Remember, OSHA logs should be maintained for a period of 5 years.

This time of year can be very stressful, especially with the aggressive image of today’s OSHA.  The new focus on reporting injuries and incidents should not be taken lightly.  The quickest way to have OSHA show up at your door, aside from having a worker fatality, is to submit inaccurate OSHA logs.

Much of the revision is dedicated to increasing understanding and conformity in the industry, by incorporating plain language, referencing documents that are currently in use and easily obtained, and providing measurements from the International System of Units.

Here are a few things you need to know about the new standard.

* For cylinders, the previous standard referenced the 1966 edition of the Compressed Gas Association’s section on acetylene, while the revision references their 2003 guidelines.

* Although the new revision only advises against transporting in automobiles, it specifically prohibits storing acetylene cylinders in confined spaces, such as unventilated cabinets, closets, and drawers.
* While the old standard recommended a flow rate of 1/7 of the cylinder capacity regardless of the duration of use, the revision has advises a flow rate of 1/10 per hour for intermittent use and 1/15 for continuous use.
* Language has been added in the new standard to draw attention to the possibility of mechanical shock due to the use of cylinders that are not equipped with protective caps or guards.
* It is recommended that acetylene cylinders valves are not opened without a regulator and flow restrictor.
* The new standard also suggests that the CGA connection is visually examined for signs of contamination and, that all contamination is removed before it is connected to the regulator.
* The revisions for piped systems and filling cylinders will either be the 2001 or 2006 edition of the National Fire Protection Association’s standard for these sections.
* The standard for your company will be determined by when the approval for construction or installation of the facilities and/or equipment used to create or charge acetylene was obtained.

For more information, and to insure that your company is in compliance, you should refer to the National Fire Protection Association’s standard for acetylene charging plants and the 2003 edition of the Compressed Gas Association’s standard for acetylene.

The right mix of practice, design, and tools will vary by company.  However, the savings in workers compensation claims will be significant.  Workers compensation injuries for body parts such as the back, neck, and knees on average can range from $500 (without surgery) to $50,000 (with surgery).  And, these figures do not include costs of settlement and attorney fees for workers who are unable to come back to work. Costs are driven by workers’ entitlement to compensation benefits for at least 1 week with out surgery and at least 6 weeks with surgery.

Aside from the claim itself, other direct costs can be seen in the overtime pay needed for others to pick up the slack and the costs associated with hiring new employees. The hard numbers are the easiest to point out, but there are indirect costs, such as loss of productivity and morale, that should also be mentioned.

There are usually three main areas for incorporating ergonomics. Ergonomic practices include incorporating proper lifting techniques, stretching techniques, and encouraging good posture.  Ergonomic design involves organizing the workspace to promote natural flow and ease of movement.  Ergonomic tools, such as back supports, seek to relieve the stress put on a body while performing repetitive tasks overtime.  Together these tools prevent injuries and reduce conditions caused by repetitive strains and motions.  More companies are realizing the benefits of ergonomics and you should too.