SGIA continues to be the best resource to stay informed about major changes the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released to its Hazard Communication Standard. By June 1, 2015, all Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and warning labels must conform to the new standard, which will require an understanding of the new hazard determination provisions for chemical manufacturers.

SGIA has already disseminated a wealth of information resources for the specialty imaging community. Last month, the Association’s Vice President of Government and Business Information, Marci Kinter, led a Webinar that illustrated the necessary practicality of the new requirements, which was attended by more than 200. SGIA members can access Kinter’s presentation in our Webinar Archive.

Since the overwhelming success of the Webinar, SGIA is excited to announce its newest Workshop, “Hazard Communication and Chemicals: A Roadmap to Compliance” (October 30–November 1, 2012), designed specifically for suppliers preparing and distributing chemicals into printing facilities; suppliers of both digital and screen printing chemistries; and those responsible for the creation and oversight of SDS and warning labels. Attendance at this Workshop will provide participants with the tools needed to develop an implementation strategy. Course topics will include:

• New health hazard classification system, including the use of bridging principles when the toxicity of the entire mixture has not been tested
• Physical Health Hazard evaluations, including a discussion on combustible dust
• New warning label formats such as required warning statements, pictograms and supplemental warning information
• SDS format, both required and non-mandatory sections

For more detailed information about the recent changes to OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard, visit SGIA.org, Keyword: HazCom, where members can delve deeper still with exclusive fact sheets.