This Globally Harmonized System (GHS) Standard Training gives healthcare providers essential skills in chemical classification and hazard communication. They will learn GHS core elements, including standardized labels, classification criteria, and hazard pictograms. This knowledge helps them identify hazards quickly, follow safety regulations, and protect themselves and patients. The training ensures a safe workplace, prevents exposures, and maintains compliance with safety standards.
What You Will Learn:
- Core elements of GHS
- The meaning of GHS hazard pictograms
Details:
Course length: 30 minutes; CME: 0.5
Languages: American English
Key features: Audio narration, learning activity, and post-assessment.
American Medical Compliance is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education to physicians. Our Continuing Medical Education (CME) program is committed to enhancing the knowledge, skills, and professional performance of healthcare providers to improve patient care outcomes. Through high-quality educational activities, we aim to address the identified educational gaps and to support the continuous professional development of our medical community. American Medical Compliance designates this activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Physicians should only claim this credit for their complete participation in this activity.
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Introduction to GHS
The primary benefit of the GHS is to increase the quality and consistency of information provided to workers, employers and chemical users by adopting a standardized approach to hazard classification, labels and safety data.
The GHS provides a single set of harmonized criteria for classifying chemicals according to their health and physical hazards and specifies hazard communication elements for labeling and safety data sheets. Under the GHS, labels would include signal words, pictograms, and hazard and precautionary statements and safety data sheets would have standardized format.
This course helps healthcare providers understand the importance of standardized hazard classification and communication to ensure workplace safety. Through this course, providers will learn how the GHS improves the quality and consistency of chemical safety information by using uniform labels, signal words, pictograms, and safety data sheets. By recognizing health and physical hazards, following precautionary measures, and interpreting safety data correctly, healthcare professionals can prevent chemical-related injuries, enhance compliance with regulations, and protect both themselves and their patients. This knowledge is essential for maintaining a safe and informed healthcare environment.
GHS Classification of Hazardous Chemicals
Hazard classification is the process of evaluating the full range of available scientific evidence to determine if a chemical is hazardous, as well as to identify the level of severity of the hazardous effect. When complete, the evaluation identifies the hazard class(es) and associated hazard category of the chemical. The HCS defines hazard class as the nature of a physical or health hazard, e.g., flammable solid, carcinogen, and acute toxicity.
Hazard category means the division of criteria within each hazard class, e.g., acute toxicity and flammable liquids. Each include four hazard categories numbered from category 1 through category 4. These categories compare hazard severity within a hazard class and should not be taken as a comparison of hazard categories more generally.
The hierarchy of the categories is only specific to the hazard class. The hazard classification process provides the basis for hazard information that is provided in SDSs, labels, and worker training.
This training helps healthcare providers classify chemical hazards. Providers will also be able to assess their severity to maintain a safer workplace. They will learn to identify chemical risks, assign them to a hazard class and category. Then, providers will be able to apply this information to safety data sheets (SDSs), labels, and worker training. By understanding this system, healthcare professionals can protect themselves, colleagues, and patients.
GHS Labeling Requirements
Pictograms are graphic symbols used to communicate specific information about the hazards of a chemical.
On hazardous chemicals being shipped or transported from a manufacturer, importer or distributor, the required pictograms consist of a red square frame set at a point with a black hazard symbol on a white background, sufficiently wide to be clearly visible.
A square red frame set at a point without a hazard symbol is not a pictogram and is not permitted on the label.
The pictograms OSHA has adopted improve worker safety and health, conform with the GHS, and are used worldwide.
While the GHS uses a total of nine pictograms, OSHA will only enforce the use of eight.
The environmental pictogram is not mandatory but may be used to provide additional information.
Workers may see the ninth symbol on a label because label preparers may choose to add the environment pictogram as supplementary information.
This training course helps healthcare providers interpret hazard pictograms to improve workplace safety. Providers will learn to recognize symbols that indicate chemical hazards. OSHA requires eight pictograms but allows the optional environmental symbol. By understanding these symbols, healthcare providers can identify hazards, follow regulations, and reduce risks, creating a safer environment for all.
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Under GHS
The SDS includes information such as:
- The properties of each chemical
- The physical, health, and environmental health hazards
- Protective measures; and
- Safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting the chemical
The information contained in the SDS must be in English (although it may be in other languages as well).
Sections 1 through 8 contain general information about the chemical, identification, hazards, composition, safe handling practices, and emergency control measures (e.g., fire fighting).
This information should be helpful to those that need to get the information quickly.
Sections 9 through 11 and 16 contain other technical and scientific information, such as physical and chemical properties, stability and reactivity information, toxicological information, exposure control information, and other information including the date of preparation or last revision.
The SDS must also state that no applicable information was found when the preparer does not find relevant information for any required element.
The SDS must also contain Sections 12 through 15, to be consistent with the UN Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). OSHA will not enforce the content of these sections because they concern matters handled by other agencies.
Overall, this course teaches healthcare providers how to read and apply Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) to handle chemicals safely. Providers will learn to identify chemical properties, hazards, protective measures, and safe handling practices. Sections 9 through 11 and 16 provide technical data on stability, toxicity, and exposure control. Additionally, Sections 12 through 15 align with GHS but are not enforced by OSHA. Understanding SDSs helps healthcare providers prevent exposure, follow safety protocols, and respond effectively to chemical hazards, ensuring a safer workplace.
