Stephanie Salmon, Artemis Strategies; Jeff Hannapel & Christian Richter, The Policy Group, Washington, D.C. WASHINGTON ALERT
Final Revisions to Hazard Communication Standard Released
THE REVISIONS ALIGN THE STANDARD WITH THE GLOBALLY HARMONIZED SYSTEM.
T e U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued fi nal revisions to the Hazard Communication Standard on March 20, aligning it with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classifi cation and Labeling of Chemicals. T e alignment with GHS will
mean changes for U.S. metalcast- ers and companies that produce, transport or handle chemicals. T e standard now includes diff erent language on material safety data sheets (MSDS) and safety labels. T e rule also will create a new category for “haz- ards not otherwise classifi ed,” which includes combustible dust. At the heart of the new rule is a better understanding of hazardous chemicals for U.S. workers. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the rule will prevent 585 injuries and illnesses and save businesses more than $30 million each year once it is fully implemented. T e fi nal rule will be phased
in over the next several years, and ON THE HILL
JOBS Act Clears Congress The U.S. Senate approved an amend-
ed Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act, with the U.S. House of Rep- resentatives following suit on March 27. The bill will ease a number of regulatory burdens on small businesses (a category that includes most metalcasters) attempt- ing to raise capital and create jobs. With strong bipartisan support, President Obama signed the bill into law on April 5.
Safeguards were added to the JOBS Act to minimize scam attempts in the recruitment of investors, including web- site registration with the U.S Securities
and Exchange Commission and limitations on investments in these small companies. The bill also eases the initial-public-of- fering marketing path for companies with less than $1 billion in revenues.
“Should Be Made in America” Campaign Launched
The Alliance for American Manufac- turing (AAM) launched a new campaign on March 26 aimed at strengthen- ing U.S. manufacturing and sparking change in local procurement policies. The “Should Be Made in America” campaign is a series of billboards, the fi rst of which appeared in San Francisco
near the Oakland Bay Bridge. The two billboards read: “The Bay Bridge: 100% Foreign Steel.”
AAM says the Bay Bridge project could have awarded American work- ers 3.5 million hours of labor and will cost the state additional funds in “safety net” programs, such as unemployment. The taxpayer-funded project was awarded by California officials to a Chinese firm.
Organizers of the Should Be Made
in America campaign plan to continue installing billboards near outsourced projects to raise awareness and spark public action.
May 2012 MODERN CASTING | 17
grams if new hazards are identifi ed. Below is a list of the deadlines for full implementation of the revised
Hazard Communication Standard: • Dec. 1, 2013—Employers must have completed training employees on new label elements and MSDS format.
• June 1, 2015—Chemical manu- facturers, importers, distributors and employers must comply with all modifi ed provisions of the fi nal rule. Distributors may continue to ship products labeled under the old system until Dec. 1, 2015.
The revisions to the Hazard Communication Standard include a new labeling system that must be fully implemented by June 2016.
facilities will have until June 2016 to fully comply. Employers will have to update their MSDS when new ones become available, provide training on the new label elements and update their hazard communication pro-
• June 1, 2016—Employers must update alternative workplace labeling and hazard communica- tion programs as necessary and provide additional employee training for newly identifi ed physical or health hazards. During the transition period,
the fi nal, current or both standards may be followed. T e fi nal 858-page rule was published in the Federal Register on March 26. A copy of the rule is available on the Offi ce of the Federal Register website.
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