OSHA's GHS Leader Sees Final Rule in 18 Months
DENVER -- Maureen Ruskin, director of OSHA's Office of Chemical Hazards -- Metals, told attendees Monday at AIHce that the record for the proposed rule changing the HazCom Standard, will close June 1.
Comments received so far are concerned about the agency's proposal to include a definition of "unclassified hazards," which some commenters consider too broad; the proposed dropping of the requirement to include Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) from safety data sheets; and removal of the term "combustible liquid" so the HazCom Standard will be consistent with GHS when the final rule is completed. Answering a question from the audience, she said it is reasonable to expect the final rule to be issued about 18 months from now.
This is a high priority for the agency," Ruskin said. "I think it is a giant leap forward from what we've had previously."