OSHA’s December 1, 2013, HazCom/GHS training deadline means that within approximately one year the majority of America’s workforce will obtain a revised picture for precautions when working with chemicals. It is a movement from an employee’s “right-to-know” to “right-to-understand,” according to OSHA.
OSHA’s HazCom/GHS, however, is not the only source for required employee training about precautions when dealing with chemicals. Another important source is the DOT Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG). Although the ERG does not provide globally harmonized precautions for chemical spills during transportation, the 2012ERG was jointly created by the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Argentina. Therefore, the ERG has regional harmonization.