Emergency Film Group has released Global Harmonization & the Hazard Communication Standard, a DVD-based training program for workers and emergency responders who may have to deal with hazardous materials. The program describes substantial changes to OSHA’s Hazcom, or ‘Right to Know,’ Standard to accommodate the UN’s Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. This international initiative promotes the safety of workers and emergency personnel by standardizing the way the hazards of chemicals are communicated on product labels and Safety Data Sheets (formerly Material Safety Data Sheets). According to OSHA, training on these changes must be completed by December, 2013.
Global Harmonization & the Hazard Communication Standard studies the new classifications and categories for physical and health hazards of chemicals as well as requirements for labels, pictograms, signal words, and the new 16-part format for Safety Data Sheets. This training is appropriate for personnel who work with or around hazardous chemicals, and for hazmat teams, firefighters and others who may respond to an incident where chemicals are involved. The program includes a 28-minute DVD plus a separate Instructor’s CD-Rom with PowerPoint, quiz and extra reference materials.
Technical committee advisors for Professional Global Harmonization & the Hazard Communication Standard include Rem Gaade, retired Chief of Hazardous Materials and Special Operations of the Toronto Fire Department; Brian Gallant, President of Anchor Group, a consulting firm responsible for EHS & security services; Cdr. Phil Glenn (USCG ret.), President and Administrative Director of Clean Channel Association (CCA), a non-profit corporation which provides a cooperative response to large oil or chemical spills in the Houston Ship Channel; Bill Hand, a 31-year veteran of the Houston Fire Department and a member of Houston’s HMRT, for which he has responded to thousands of calls involving almost every type of container and chemical; and Robert Ingram, a 38-year veteran of FDNY whose assignment included Chief of HazMat Operations and WMD Branch Chief with the FDNY Center for Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness.
