OSHA Eyes More Harmonized Standards
Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels said the agency is discussing harmonizing recordkeeping and injury reporting with international counterparts.
MONTREAL – Two more globally harmonized major standards could be on the horizon, although there’s no timetable for these as of yet. OSHA Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels told the crowd during an AIHce 2013 opening session with former Assistant Secretary John Henshaw that OSHA already is discussing a globally harmonized recordkeeping and injury recording standard with international counterparts. Another standard that could work as a globally harmonized one is safety and health management systems, Michaels said.
He said the agency’s recent revision of its Hazard Communication Standard to align it with the UN-recognized Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) would be a template for these additional ones.
Michaels mentioned them in response to Henshaw’s question about a possible Injury and Illness Prevention Programs (I2P2) standard. Michaels answered that he remains very interested in that priority.