You might pick up a new chemical and see it doesn’t have an MSDS for it. What’s going on?
There’s an international standard called the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. Don’t worry — you won’t have to try to say “GHSCLC” every time you want to use a solvent. Fortunately, this is just “the GHS.”
Last year, OSHA revised the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to be in step with the GHS. Consequently, the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is now called the Safety Data Sheet (SDS). Such subtle changes by OSHA might seem hardly worth the effort, but they really are because they reduce overall confusion by harmonizing with the more widely adopted standard.
The original HCS you’ve been trained under came out in 1983. The revised HCS is gradually replacing it. If your employer’s chemical safety program doesn’t fully reflect the new HCS, expect to see new terminology and new graphic elements (e.g., pictograms).
