Get GHS ready at a forum near you

Work health and safety regulator Comcare is holding a series of Australia-wide forums focusing on the transition to the new international system of chemical labelling and classification.

The Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is a UN initiative that standardises chemical classification, labelling and safety data sheets (SDS) for use in workplaces internationally. The Commonwealth and some Australian states and territories adopted the GHS with the introduction of the Work Health and Safety Act on 1 January 2012, with a five-year transition period for full implementation by 1 January 2017.

The GHS changes include using a common set of pictograms, signal words, hazard statements and precautionary statements for labels and SDS to communicate information about a chemical to the user. For persons conducting a business or undertaking, essential tasks for GHS readiness include:

• reviewing current inventory holdings for GHS compliant and non-compliant stock;
• allowing holdings of GHS non-compliant stock to run down;
• ensuring all new purchases are GHS compliant;
• reviewing SDS to ensure hazard management practices are in place;
• ensuring workers are aware of the new labelling system and SDS.

“It’s extremely important that agencies and licensees ensure they are ready for these changes,” said Comcare General Manager of Regulatory Operations Justin Napier, who noted that the new system will impact every Commonwealth agency and self-insured licensee in the scheme.

“To meet the new requirements, manufacturers and importers of hazardous chemicals will need to reclassify their products, relabel them and prepare new safety data sheets.”

In Comcare’s upcoming series of forums, the regulator will include a session on the GHS to help agencies and businesses understand the requirements for transition by 1 January 2017. The forums will be held in all state and territory capitals, plus Canberra and Newcastle, in May, June and July 2016:

• Canberra: 18 May, 16 June, 12 July, 27 July
• Adelaide: 26 May
• Sydney: 31 May
• Newcastle: 1 June
• Melbourne: 5 July
• Hobart: 7 July
• Brisbane: 21 June
• Darwin: 23 June
• Perth: 20 July

To register your interest and for more detail on the forums, visit http://comcare.gov.au/events/2016_national_whs_forums.