Information on the Hazardous Communication Standard

Written by Staff Writer

The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) protects those working around hazardous chemicals. The need for clear instruction about these compounds has never been greater — with hundreds of thousands of chemicals registered for commercial production and use around the world.

The federal regulations in the HCS safeguard every worker’s right to know about chemical hazards in the workplace and help employers understand what precautions to take with potentially dangerous substances.

This article will help you understand the HCS and how you can benefit from online hazard communication training.

What Is Hazard Communication?

According to OSHA, “In order to ensure chemical safety in the workplace, information about the identities and hazards of the chemicals must be available and understandable to workers.”

Hazard communication is often shortened to HazCom. Found in 29 CFR 1910.1200, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s HazCom standard was created to minimize the risk workers face when working around or while using potentially dangerous industrial substances.

The key elements of HazCom require employers who use hazardous substances in the workplace to label those materials and provide safety data sheets (SDSs) detailing each chemical. Regulations also require employers to train workers on how to handle these compounds appropriately, including storage and disposal procedures.

OSHA’s requirements also apply to manufacturers and importers. Manufacturers and distributors are required to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import and prepare the necessary labels and data sheets for each substance.

The standards prioritize worker health by requiring employers to provide handling guidelines and adequate employee education to all workers who come into contact with these compounds.

GHS Labeling Requirements for Hazardous Chemicals

With such a wide range of compounds in production, clear labeling is paramount. But not all countries abide by the same HazCom standard. While OSHA developed the HCS, the U.N. created the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). Differences between systems create confusion, which leads to costly — possibly deadly — accidents.

To solve this problem, the United States brought the American HCS in line with the international GHS. Standardizing labeling requirements streamlines the compliance process for employers, manufacturers and importers. This standardization also makes communicating potential risks simpler and more effective.

For a label to comply with the GHS, it must include the following:

• The name and/or number used to identify the chemical
• A signal word, either “warning” or “danger” depending on the severity of the risk
• Full hazard statements for each regulatory class and category
• A pictogram that communicates risks with symbols
• A precautionary statement
• Supplier information, including name, address and phone number

The HCS and GHS require manufacturers and importers to ensure all products they offer are properly labeled. Employers are also responsible for ensuring all hazardous chemicals in their workplace have such labels.

What Is a Safety Data Sheet?

Safety data sheets, also known as material safety data sheets (MSDS), expand on the basic information provided by GHS-compliant chemical labels. Each sheet includes detailed statements of the risks of each chemical and instructions on how to handle each chemical safely. Handling instructions include use, storage and disposal procedures.

Employees should have access to an SDS for each compound on site. Sheets should be organized so they can be retrieved easily during an emergency. Owners and managers should review their MSDS collections periodically to ensure that all sheets are updated and discard any sheets that are no longer needed to maintain a current list.

Every worksite should have a written hazard communication program to track this data and document proper material handling and storage procedures.

What Should an Employer’s HazCom Program Include?

The first main requirement for HCS is documentation in the form of labels and SDSs. The second requirement is employee education. Even with the effort to make instructions clear and accessible, there’s a big difference between keeping a stack of paperwork and understanding the hazard communication standard.

Employees can benefit substantially from education on the materials in their workplace. Effective training helps employees protect themselves and their coworkers. Key components of a HazCom program include:

• A primer on the HCS, GHS and the employer's formal HazCom program
• Information about specific compounds the employee will encounter in the workplace, including labels, SDSs and the location of each product
• Procedures for detecting hazardous materials
• The location of SDSs and procedures for using them during emergencies
• How to read chemical labels and guidance for using that knowledge to prevent exposure risks
• Procedures for addressing potential violations such as missing documentation or mislabeling

An employer’s HazCom program should be individualized based on the needs of the jobsite and the substances involved.

How Can Employers Maintain Compliance with OSHA’s HCS?

Employers can facilitate ongoing compliance by creating a written hazard communication program, periodically reviewing it and updating it as necessary. These guidelines can include:

• Schedules and instructions for reviewing and updating labels and SDSs
• Periodic workplace reviews to identify changes in operational procedures
• Requirements for ongoing education for employees and management related to changing chemical safety needs
• Providing channels for employees to deliver feedback and observations to improve the program

Maintaining Workplace Safety with Online HazCom Training

One of the simplest and most convenient ways to get up to speed on hazard communication is by taking our online HazCom course. Upon completion, you will be able to:

• Understand OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard and the Globally Harmonized System
• Recognize the requirements of an effective HazCom program
• Identify potentially dangerous substances and the Hazardous Chemical Inventory, the purpose and information required by GHS of Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
• Define the required elements for proper labels, including GHS pictograms, HazCom information and training requirements

Choosing to complete your HCS course online offers multiple advantages. The course makes learning easy even if you have a busy schedule with many obligations. You can complete your training online from any internet-connected device.

Study where and when you want. We save your progress automatically. Log in, learn and log out at any time without repeating lesson material.

Why Choose OSHA Education Center?

OSHA Education Center is a leading provider of online safety and compliance training. Our focus on providing high-quality educational material makes us the go-to choice for workers and employers who want the best.

OSHA Education Center courses streamline learning while maximizing benefits. You have easy access to course material 24/7, including lessons and quizzes. You also get a full 180 days to complete the course. When you successfully complete the course, you can download your official certificate of completion instantly.

We offer a wide range of training solutions, including GHS and Hazard Communication training, OSHA 1926 Standards Training for Construction and much more. Browse our course catalog for more than 150 instruction programs.

Get started on your HazCom education by signing up today!