Final answer:
The Hazard Communications Standard provides criteria for classifying health and physical hazards of chemical mixtures, and is summarized by the NFPA 704 hazard diamond. This system rates hazards on a scale from 0 to 4, indicating the severity of fire, health, reactivity, and other risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The recent updates to the Hazard Communications Standard pertain to the criteria for classifying health and physical hazards, along with the classification of chemical mixtures. One integral part of these standards includes the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 704 Hazard Identification System. This system uses a hazard diamond to represent the different risks associated with chemical substances.
The hazard diamond is split into four color-coded parts with red at the top indicating fire hazards, blue on the left for health risks, yellow on the right for reactivity, and white at the bottom for special notices. Each type of hazard is assigned a rating from 0 to 4, with 4 indicating a severe hazard and 0 indicating no hazard. The NFPA hazard diamond is a quick reference for safety information commonly found on containers of chemicals in laboratories and workplaces. It's important to understand this system for proper handling and storage of chemical substances to ensure safety.
Regulated by authorities like OSHA, the hazard communication standards are designed to protect workers by ensuring they are fully informed about the chemicals they might be exposed to. Aside from NFPA, other regulations from the United States Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency's hazardous waste regulations may apply to chemicals, each describing specific protocols to ensure the safety of both the individuals handling the chemicals and the environment.