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The United Nations provided a Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) in order to harmonize and standardize the proper handling and use of chemical management, including its global facilitation. This course provides the background on GHS, its application and implementation, and how hazard classification and communication works. 

Reduces chemical accidents and incidents


Has affordable health care, and enforcement costs


**Has protections for workers against chemical hazards. **


**Minimizes effort and maximizes collaboration in standardizing national systems. **


**Implements systems on domestic and international chemical use. **


Safer work environment and improved relations with employees.
Increased efficiency and reduced costs from compliance with hazard communication regulations.
Application of expert systems resulting in maximizing expert resources and minimizing labor and costs.
Facilitation of electronic transmission systems with international scope.
Expanded use of training programs on health and safety.
Reduced costs due to fewer accidents and illnesses.
Improved corporate image and credibility.


COMPANIES


Introduction to GHS

**The GHS is a voluntary international system that imposes no binding treaty obligation on countries. **


**All hazardous chemicals are covered. **


The term chemical is used to refer to substances, products, mixtures, preparations, and other terminologies that may be included and used by the current systems.


GHS is also compared to a collection of building blocks, due to its classification and communication system on various sectors.


The classification and communication structure is designed in a way that makes it easier for its target audience to select and use appropriate elements of the system.


GHS Building Block Sectors:


Application and Implementation

Explosives
Through a chemical reaction, it is capable of producing gas at a certain temperature and pressure with speed causing drastic damage to its surroundings.
Flammable Gasses
These are gasses with a flammable range in the air at 20°C and a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa.
Flammable Aerosoles
These are compressed, liquified, or dissolved gasses under pressure contained in a non-refillable metal, glass, or plastic container, with or without liquid, paste, or powder.
Oxidizing Gases
By adding oxygen, these are gasses that can cause or contribute to the combustion of other materials more than air does.
Gases under Pressure
These are gases that are contained in a receptacle at a pressure not less than 280 Pa at 20°C or as a refrigerated liquid.
Flammable Liquids
These are liquids with a flash point of not more than 93°C.
Flammable Solids
These are solids that are readily combustible, or may cause or contribute to fire through friction.
Self-Reactive Substances
Even without the participation of oxygen (air), these substances are thermally unstable that they may undergo a strongly exothermic thermal decomposition.
Pyrophoric Liquids and Solids
After being in contact with air for five minutes, they are liable to ignite even in small quantities.
Self-Heating Substances
Either solid or liquid(other than pyrophoric substance), by reaction with air and without energy supply, they are liable to self-heat.
Substances which on Contact with Water Emit Flammable Gases
These are solids or liquids that are liable to spontaneously be flammable or to give off flammable gases in dangerous quantities.
Oxidizing Liquids or Solids
These are not necessarily combustible, which may yield oxygen, or may cause or contribute to the combustion of other material.
Organic Peroxides
This contains the bivalent structure (-0-0-) that can be considered a derivative of hydrogen peroxide, where either one or both hydrogen atoms were replaced by organic radicals.
Substances Corrosive to Metal
Either a substance or mixture that through chemical action will cause damage or destroy metals.


Physical Hazards


Dilution
A diluted mixture with an equivalent or lower toxicity, are considered to have the same hazardous effects.


Batching
A batch produced through a controlled process is considered to have the same hazardous effects as the original and previous batches.


The Concentration of Highly Toxic Mixtures
A mixture that is severely hazardous is considered to have the same level of hazard effects as its concentrated mixture.


Interpolation within One Toxic Category
Mixtures that exhibit a certain component concentration within a range where hazards are known has those certain hazards.


Substantially Similar Mixtures
Substitutions involving toxicologically similar components and slight changes in the concentration of components are expected not to cause a change in the hazards of the mixture.


Aerosols
Unless the propellant affects the hazards upon spraying, the tested and the non-aerosolized form of the mixture will have the same hazards.


Hazard Classification

In the previous lesson, it was explained that classification is the starting point for the GHS.


After classification, communicating the hazard(s) to the people involved or will be involved is the next important step.


The main tools for chemical hazard communication are labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS).


These tools identify and provide hazardous properties that may cause health, physical, or environmental hazards during handling and use.


Identification of the substance or mixture and of the supplier
Hazards identification
Composition/information on ingredients
First aid measures
Firefighting measures
Accidental release measures
Handling and storage
Exposure controls/personal protection
Physical and chemical properties
Stability and reactivity
Toxicological information
Ecological information
Disposal considerations
Transport information
Regulatory information
Other information including information on preparation and revision of the SDS


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Globally Harmonized System (GHS)

Globally Harmonized System (GHS) Lessons

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