Synergist - April 2010

But new technology allows a more efficient, proactive approach to chemical management, one that reduces a company’s “hazard footprint.” A hazard footprint consists of the environmental, health, and safety implications and costs associated with the use, management, and disposal of hazardous chemicals. Reducing your hazard footprint results in a safer workplace, lower costs and a competitive advantage.

To better understand and manage their hazard footprint, leading organizations have moved beyond simple compliance-related goals to a more holistic view of risk reduction and sustainable environmental practices. This approach realizes many benefits, including cost savings. Technology-based tools and services available today allow a world-class approach without the often cost-prohibitive resources that past approaches have required.

Chemical Data Management
through Technology

Many facilities use technology to identify, compile and manage chemical information. But knowing which chemicals are found in your facility and how much you have in inventory is just the tip of the iceberg. The two areas most often overlooked in chemical information management are the control of chemicals introduced into the workplace and the management and updating of compliance-related data associated with those chemicals.

Updating compliance-related data may involve the MSDS themselves or other regulatory reporting systems that feed from the MSDS. However, the time and effort required to manage changes to chemical information is significant and often overlooked. When manufacturers’ formulations change, an MSDS should be submitted to all customers who are shipped that product. In a manual system, a new MSDS is often scanned or filed in a binder, and the potential hazards associated with the use of the chemical might not be reviewed or readily accessible.

GHS is a main driver of the increasing
volume of MSDS documents and updates.
Proposed by the United Nations to stan-
dardize classification and labeling of
chemicals and related hazard communi-
cation, GHS will have profound effects
for companies that author and publish
MSDS as well as those that manage
MSDS and related chemical data for on-
site chemical inventories. The proposed
regulatory updates will require revisions
in the content and format of current
MSDS; a significant amount of work will
be necessary to create new content and
manage new safety data sheets and labels
for hazardous chemicals. Organizations
with on-site chemical inventories will
need to prepare for more document
changes and more chemical data updates.

Timely Information

Leveraging technology and service providers for accurate and up-to-date chemical hazard information can save time and money, and create a safer workplace. The single most limited asset most industrial hygiene and EHS professionals have today is their time. With regulatory change on the horizon, these challenges will only increase.

Current technology allows any facility in any industry to benefit from accurate, timely and current chemical information management. A considered approach means fewer injuries and exposures, cost savings and a competitive advantage— things that every industry needs.