Committee News:

Hazard Commmunication Links

Disclaimer: Links to the sites are only provided as a convenience to viewers. As with any public information available on the Internet, you must decide for yourself whether the information is accurate or useful for your purposes.

Please let us know if you find errors on the links to the sites listed below.  If you are aware of sites not listed, please submit the information for review; it appropriate, it will be added to the web site.

Important HazCom Links

OSHA/EPA Occupational Chemical Database
OSHA and EPA jointly developed a new Occupational Chemical Database to provide a convenient reference for the occupational safety and health community. This database compiles information from several government agencies and organizations. Available database reports include: "Physical Properties," "Exposure Guidelines," "NIOSH Pocket Guide," and "Emergency Response Information," including the DOT Emergency Response Guide. In addition, an all-in-one report, "Full Report," is available.

ECB - Classification and Labelling
The classification and labelling work area provides technical and scientific support to Member State Authorities and Commission Services (mainly DG ENV.C.3) concerning the hazard classification and labelling of pesticides, biocides and new and existing chemicals.

Australian National Occupational Health and Safety Commission Hazardous Substances Information System (HSIS)
The Australian HSIS is a searchable database containing information on hazardous substances that have been classified in accordance with the Australian Approved Criteria for Classifying Hazardous Substances [NOHSC:1008(2004] 3rd Edition and/or have National Exposure Standards declared under the NOHSC Adopted National Exposure Standards for Atmospheric Contaminants in the Occupational Environment [NOHSC:1003(1995)] or subsequent updates.

The HSIS provides access to two data sets, one for hazardous substance information and the other for exposure standard information. The data for substances that are common to both data sets are linked. Both data sets can be searched using a range of search criteria. Search results (including the full data sets) can be printed or saved electronically. HSIS includes about 3500 hazardous substance records and 680 exposure standard records.

Health Canada’s GHS Page
Health Canada’s page of resources and links concerning Canada’s implementation of the Globally Harmonized System.

British Chemical Hazards Communication Society
The Society aims to provide information and training guidance to as many individuals as possible involved with the complexity of chemical hazards regulations and international codes.

Canada’s Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
WHMIS is Canada’s national information system the objective of which is to protect Canadian workers by providing safety and health information about hazardous workplace materials. The [WHMIS] Controlled Products Regulations, established under the Hazardous Products Act administered by Health Canada, specifies criteria for the classification and hazard communication (MSDS and label) required for workplace chemicals sold or imported in Canada.

The website contains information that may help suppliers who wish to market their products in Canada to familiarize themselves with the requirements prior to exportation.

EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics
This is EPA's Chemical Testing & Information site. Under TSCA, EPA has broad authority to issue regulations designed to gather health/safety and exposure information on, require testing of, and control exposure to chemical substances and mixtures.  This EPA section provides updates on this activity.

Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC)
IOMC is the Coordinating Group for the Harmonization of Chemical Classification Systems (CG/HCCS); it is a cooperative agreement among UNEP, ILO (International Labor Office), FAO, WHO (World Health Organization), UNIDO, and OECD.

International Chemical Safety Cards are now available.  When you get to the page, just scroll down to the near the bottom and select one of the Index links. From the Index page, just select the chemical for which you want information; that will take you to the information card for the chemical. This is a good source of summary information about specific chemicals.

OSHA Instruction, Directive Number CPL 2-2.38D, "Inspection Procedures for the Hazard Communication Standard."  This instruction establishes policies and provides clarifications to ensure uniform enforcement of the hazard Comunication Standard.

The OSHA Hazard Communication page is a good starting point for all of your OSHA hazard communication information and references; it gives you a consolidated reference point of hazard communication.  You'll find information such as the Hazard Communication Standard Fact Sheet of 1993, the NACOSH Report, and OSHA Standards.

Additional HazCom Links

Chemical Safety Bureau (CSB) SCHC recommendations on the Barton Solvents Explosion.

ACGIH:  The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Inc.

ATSDR: Haz Chem Site Contaminant Query

Center for Environmental and Regulatory Information Systems (CERIS)

ChemFinder chemical information searching

Hazardous Chemical Database

MSDS at Oxford University (physical chemistry department)

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

NFPA Chemical Hazard Ratings for many common chemicals are available at this site sponsored by the Office of Radiation, Chemical and Biological Safety of Michigan State University. Chemicals are listed alphabetically by groups.

UK Hazcom Regulations