TDI-DWC Hosts Educational Sessions on Changes to the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard

Austin, TX (WorkersCompensation.com) - The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation (TDI-DWC) is hosting educational sessions entitled Changes to Hazard Communication Labeling and Safety Data Sheet Format at its field offices around the state in September, October and November. This training will assist employers in complying with training requirements associated with recent changes to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard, which now aligns with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Employers subject to the federal Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act must provide training to employees on the new label elements and safety data sheet format by December 1, 2013. OSHA estimates over five million workplaces and 43 million employees are going to be affected by the revised Hazard Communication Standard.

The educational sessions are for all Texas workers' compensation participants, including: employers, employees, employee organizations, risk managers, safety professionals, insurance carriers, health care providers and attorneys. The free sessions will provide information on the labeling and safety data sheet format changes to the Hazard Communication Standard, 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.1200 (also known as the “Right to Know” law), which requires manufacturers of chemicals, employers and employees to take measures to prevent illness or injury that could occur when working with hazardous materials. Employers not subject to the OSH Act must comply with the Texas Hazard Communication Act, Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 502, which references the most current requirements of the OSHA standard.

To register online and for more details on the following educational sessions, visit the TDI-DWC Events and Training Calendar on the TDI website at http://www.tdi.texas.gov/alert/event/dwceducational.html.

*The Houston Educational Session on November 7, 2013, is hosted jointly by the TDI-DWC Houston East and Houston West Offices.

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