A Quick Guide to OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard

A Quick Guide to OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard

The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (Occupational Safety and Health Administration Hazard Communication Standard) was proposed to the public on November 23, 1985. Two years later, OSHA implemented it and had several revisions to it over the years.

For chemical hazards, OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard is their protocol in place. This quick guide will introduce you to the HCS and its important details.

What is the Hazard Communication Standard? 

In 2012, OSHA updated its Hazard Communication Standard to comply with the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). This was so that all chemical hazard safety in the workplace was uniform across the board.

It is the job of employers to let their employees know about hazards in the workplace due to the chemicals used. Having a global standard makes it all the more important to follow.

Knowing the changes to OSHA’s HCS also provides a more holistic understanding of chemical hazards in the workplace.

Changes to OSHA Hazard Communication Standard

There are a few big changes to OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard, in part due to merging its regulations to comply with GHS and in part for other purposes.

1.How to Classify Hazards

How to classify hazards was part of the changes for OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard. Essentially, hazard classification became more specific based on a set of criteria. This is often talked about regarding risks to health and the body in terms of workplace chemical hazards.

Classifying hazards more specifically provided consistency for manufacturing employers and for employees to understand the dangers involved in their work.

2.Safety Data Sheets

All of the revised Hazard Communication Standard parts, due in part to GHS, have specific requirements for shipping container labels and safety data sheets (SDS).

SDS has sixteen important parts you need to fill out. It may seem overwhelming, but don’t worry! There is software for SDS that you can use for smoother organization and data input.

3.Label Everything!

All manufacturers of chemicals, as well as all imports, must label everything with the following information, thanks to the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard changes:

  • product identifier
  • pictogram
  • signal word
  • hazard statements (one for each category)
  • any other necessary precautions
  • chemical manufacturer contact information

With these changes, OSHA continues to following GHS requirements. Besides, employees can stay informed about important chemical safety precautions in their place of work.

Don’t Forget a Hazard Communication Program

OSHA and the GHS require employers to have a written hazard communication program in place. The employer must abide by all requirements of the HCS.

Within the hazard communication program, all chemical hazards should be listed. Also, plans for informing and training employees must be included as well. If an employee will encounter chemicals in their work, whether labeled or unlabeled, regular tasks, or new ones, that information must live in a written hazard communication program.

Your Quick Guide to HCS

That concludes your quick guide to OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard! Follow this protocol, and any workplace using hazardous chemicals will be safer.

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