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The article focuses on the changes made by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration on its Hazard Communication Standard. It mentions that the revisions would bring the country's hazard communication in line with international requirements on chemical hazards. According to lawyer Brad Hammock, hazard communication is essential in industrial safety and health programs.

The article offers information on the security concerns and awareness regarding the effect of hazardous materials on the environment. It defines environmental safety as a personal, corporate, and national concern. It tackles U.S. environmental guide entitled "Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods or SW-846," which provides a discussion on how to handle and dispose hazardous wastes properly.

Reveals that the exposure of cosmeticians, hairdressers and barbers to chemicals in Canada is not covered under the workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS). Common problems for hairdressers from chemical exposures; Rationale behind exempting cosmetics from WHMIS; Definition of the term cosmetic under the Food and Drugs Act.

Presents information on the rulings on hazardous materials or hazmat shipping from the Research and Special Programs Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation in the U.S. Financial advantages of harmonizing hazmat shipping rules according to Jim Hendricks, manager of dangerous goods at GlaxoSmithKline; Concerns regarding the affected areas of the rulings; Impact of the rulings on shippers. INSET: DOT is a good resource for hazmat shippers.

Reports that the United States Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission upheld an Occupational Safety and Health Administration citation against Albemarle Corp. of Pasadena, Texas for failing to provide adequate training to ensure safe handling of hazardous chemicals. Written procedures for removal of chemicals; Lack of unwritten guidelines.

Reports on the highlights of the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) updated hazardous-communications standard which protects 32 million workers and covers 650,000 dangerous chemicals. Efforts to making Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) available; Filing of MSDSs for pharmaceuticals; Elimination of nuisance particulates; Nonmandatory appendix.

The article reports on the State Administration of Work Safety of China's released of the Determination Criteria for Hidden Danger of Major Production Safety Accidents in Enterprises Engaged in Chemicals Especially Hazardous Chemicals. Some of the hidden dangers that cause chemical accidents are no related certificates of special work staffs, non-installation of emergency shutdown systems and detection alarm devices and non-compliance to national standards of storage of hazardous chemicals

Reports that the public comment period has ended on an Australian draft standard and code of practice for the storage and handling of dangerous goods. National Occupational Health and Safety Commission's offer of a series of free public seminars designed to show the effects of the draft standard and code; Debate over the move from prescriptive to performance-based legislation.

The article reports that firms are cautious in meeting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) and the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) in the U.S. It states that the December 1, 2013 deadline is enough for workers to get revised measures in working with industrial chemicals. Workers who need the Department of Transportation (DOT) Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) training are also mentioned.

The article presents the five tips that could help companies in staying compliant to Hazard Communication (hazcom) standard which is aligned with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) standard and be safe from workplace chemicals. Among the tips mentioned include the need on organized safety data sheets (SDS), the use of graphics and visuals like signs and posters that convey chemical safety information, and the need on annual training of the workers on the potential hazards.

Examines the European Union Directive 2002/95/EC on the Restriction of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS). Products covered by RoHS; Goal of the directive; Scope of RoHS.

The article announces the October 2, 2013 promulgation of the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's final rule that limits the authority of inspectors to open packages containing a perishable hazardous material during inspection. The final rule requires the opening of a package only after using appropriate alternatives. It highlights the need to use safety and handling equipment when conducting any enhanced regulatory action.

The article reports on the move of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to develop a national comprehensive regulation on combustible dust. It states that the move was set off following reports of 780 injuries in dust explosions and other dust-related industrial accidents since 1980 in the chemical industry. It says that the OSHA has evaluated possible regulatory methods and has requested data and comments on the proposed rule.

The article examines the success of the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive and implications of RoHS2. It is stated that in an attempt to resolve uncertainties and to increase market surveillance and enforcement, the European Commission revealed plans to recast the RoHS Directive in December 2008, effectively creating RoHS2. According to the author, there are a few significant changes that will affect everyone that currently falls within the scope.

The article reports that the registration, evaluation and authorization of chemicals (REACH) will start on June 1, 2008 in Great Britain. According to the article, failure to pre-register within the specific period means that a substance cannot be used until it is fully registered. It is expected that manufacturers will start to introduce substitutes during 2008 and withdraw products simultaneously to avoid costs of REACH.

The article comments on the Action-Reaction Conference on Developing a Sustainable Approach to Emerging Chemical Issues in Baltimore, Maryland in summer 2007. The conference, which was staged by the American National Standards Institute, addressed various regulatory restrictions on the use of hazardous substances in manufacturing.

The article discusses the compliance of the restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) Directive by firms in Great Britain, and the role played by the directive enforcer National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML). The majority of firms are complying with the directive and have so far escaped prosecutions, but only just in some cases. The NWML is working through a combination of documentation requests and product testing. It's latest target is firms assembling and selling personal computers.

The article reports that the Health and Safety Commission of Great Britain is reviewing its workplace exposure limits (WEL) for hazardous substances in response to the European Commission directive. The directive lists 33 substances with exposure limits in the workplace. It provides that member states should adopt the policy by September 2007.

The article reports that the government of Great Britain has stated that the deadline of the enforcement of Restrictions of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) will not be extended. It is likely to come in force in this weekend itself. Lord Sainsbury, Parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department of Trade and Industry said that being a single market directive, Great Britain could not delay the implementation of the RoHS in electrical and electronic equipment directive.