Stericycle Updates OSHA Compliance Program to Minimize HazCom Violations

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Stericycle Updates OSHA Compliance Program to Minimize HazCom Violations

Steri-Safe Readies Customers for December 1 Globally Harmonized System Deadline

NORTHBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- OSHA's recent revisions to its Hazard Communication (HazCom) Standard (1910.1200) prompted Stericycle's (NAS: SRCL) enhancements of its Steri-Safe OSHA Compliance Program to ready customers for the December 1 training deadline.


No other industry program offers the regulatory expertise and compliance innovations to keep healthcare facilities in line with the Hazard Communication Standard, one of OSHA's most frequently cited standards for lack of compliance. Stericycle makes it easy to understand the requirements of the updated standard with its new animated HazCom video found at http://www.stericycle.com/hazcom-video. In addition, facilities can check their risk for potential OSHA violations with an interactive, animated-risk assessment found at http://www.stericycle.com/hazcom-risk.

Only the Steri-Safe OSHA Compliance Program makes the requirements for the revised HazCom Standard/GHS as simple as conducting these five steps:

  1. Training: Providing training according to the standard's requirements;

  2. Writing: Developing a written Hazard Communication Program, a type of safety plan for the facility that outlines how the facility complies with the standard;

  3. Informing: Using Safety Data Sheets (formerly Materials Safety Data Sheets) to provide information on hazardous chemicals in the workplace;

  4. Listing: Making an inventory of the hazardous chemicals in the facility and putting them in the Hazardous Chemical Inventory Master List; and

  5. Labeling: Using new Workplace Labeling (formerly called Secondary Labeling) when transferring hazardous chemicals from the manufacturer's originally labeled container to a secondary container.

Healthcare facilities are among the workplaces affected by the revised HazCom Standard. Last year, OSHA adopted the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. The HazCom Standard addresses more than 7 million workplaces representing approximately 100 million workers who are potentially exposed to hazardous chemicals on the job. The GHS component incorporated simplified communication elements into the standard and uses a single set of criteria for classifying chemicals according to health hazards and physical hazards. It also requires a simplified and uniform method of communication about those hazards on labels and Safety Data Sheets.

Stericycle provides to Select and Preferred Steri-Safe Program members the complete hazard communication resources that make it quick and simple to comply with the revised HazCom Standard's requirements. The program is readily accessible by logging into MyStericycle.com and takes healthcare facilities to a state of solid compliance. Therefore, the program provides a safer, more healthful work environment for staff members while increasing efficiency for the facility.

"The new laws were well explained in the Hazard Communication webinar. Through the Steri-Safe Program, I took the required training, and I was able to easily explain the GHS to my staff," said Compliance Manager Elizabeth Villareal, My Family Dental.

Using the Steri-Safe OSHA Compliance program keeps facilities ahead of requirements. The revised HazCom Standard sets the following deadlines:

December 1, 2013:

Complete training of employees on the new label elements, pictograms, and Safety Data Sheet format

June 1, 2016:

Update alternative workplace labeling practices, as necessary, in accordance with the requirements of HazCom/GHS workplace labeling procedures; and make any required changes or updates for a facility's written Hazard Communication Program

Learn more about the Hazard Communication/GHS Standard and how easy compliance can be through the Steri-Safe OSHA Compliance Program at http://www.stericycle.com/hazcom or call 1-866-783-7422.

About Stericycle

Stericycle (SRCL) is a leading provider of regulated medical waste management services to medical offices, hospitals, and other healthcare providers. The company's services include medical waste disposal, OSHA, HIPAA, other regulatory compliance training and consulting, and pharmaceutical product recalls and returns. Stericycle has operations in the United States, as well as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ireland, Mexico, Portugal, Romania, and the United Kingdom.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Stericycle or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Stericycle's public reports, which are available on the Stericycle Web-site at www.stericycle.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.



Stericycle, Inc.
Jennifer Maniscalco, 847-943-6647
jmaniscalco@stericycle.com

KEYWORDS: United States North America Illinois

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:

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