Are you ready for OSHA’s new Hazard Communication Standard? The United States is changing from having its own separate system to using the international United Nations’ standards for the labeling of chemicals and will now use the international Safety Data Sheet (SDS) format, as opposed to the old Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) format. OSHA is phasing in the specific requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard over several years (December 1, 2013 to June 1, 2016). The first employer compliance date in this process is December 1, 2013. By that time employers must have trained their workers on the new label elements and the SDS format.If your employees have access to chemicals in their workplace, you are required to keep updated Safety Data Sheets available. These can be obtained from your chemical supplier and must be in a binder with a Table of Contents that is kept in a location in the workplace that is quickly accessible by all employees. The employee training that must be completed by this December 1st is required because the new Safety Data Sheets look somewhat different from the old Material Safety Data Sheets.For more information, or forms such as an  “OSHA Safety Data Sheets (SDS) & Labeling Training Acknowledgement” be sure and let us know.