The Ingenieur Vol 59 July-Sept 2014 The Ingenieur Vo. 59, July-Sept 2014 | Page 51

Labels and safety data sheets for hazardous substances and
mixtures using the harmonized criteria in the GHS, will ensure that
exposed workers have access to information.
The purpose of ICSC is to
serve as internationally agreed
references providing up-to-date
information to complement
any available chemical safety
information at the national level
or enterprise level for the sound
management of chemicals.
But they are not intended to
substitute any legal obligation
in place by countries using
them. The ICSC’s project is
intended to provide essential
safety and health information
on chemicals in a clear and
concise way. The Cards provide
a concise summary of potential
adverse effects of a chemical,
as well as protective measures.
The primary aim of the Cards
is to promote the safe use of
chemicals in the workplace and
may be used as a reference
source for employers, those

responsible for occupational
safety and health at enterprise
level or by workers exposed to
the chemicals involved.
Final remarks
Chemicals are key to modern life,
and will continue to be produced
and used in workplaces.
With concerted efforts,
Governments, employers, and
workers and their organisations
can achieve sound management
of chemicals for an appropriate
balance between the benefits of
chemical use, and the preventive
and control measures of potential
adverse impacts on workers,
workplaces, communities and
the environment.
Implementing the GHS
in a country will address
the first step of the sound
management of chemicals. The

provisions of the GHS support
manufacturers and importers
who are responsible for hazard
identification and classification
of the health, physical, and
environmental hazards of all
substances and mixtures they
produce or import. It also
specifies the development of
labels and safety data sheets
for hazardous substances and
mixtures using the harmonized
criteria in the GHS, thus helping
to ensure that exposed workers
have access to information, as
well as downstream employers.
These
requirements
for
manufacturers and suppliers
to be responsible for hazard
classification, and transmittal
of hazard information and
protective measures, will form
the basis of a programme for
the sound management of
chemicals in the country. The
task at hand for Governments,
employers, and workers is to:
Maintain
the
benefits
●●
achieved
through
the
production and use of
chemicals;
Minimize worker exposures
●●
and emissions of chemicals
into the environment; and,
Develop and implement na●●
tional preventive and control strategies and systems
that comprehensively and
simultaneously address the
health, safety, and environmental aspects related to
the use of chemicals to help
ensure a coordinated and
sustainable management,
and Decent Work for all.
Source: International Labour
Organisation – Safety and Health
in the use of Chemicals at Work.
© UNEP 7

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