OSHA Hazard Communication Standard

Safety Training Program

Goal Regulations (CFR) 1910.1200) adds uniform

The goal of the Hazard Communication requirements for classifying chemicals on
Standard (HCS) is to ensure that the hazards labels and SDSs to help employees and
of all chemicals produced or imported are employers better understand workplace
evaluated, and details regarding their hazards chemical hazards.
are transmitted to employers and employees.
A key revision of the HCS is that it now aligns
with the United Nations' Globally Harmonized
Objectives System (GHS) of Classification and Labelling
Employers and employees will learn the of Chemicals. This revision improves the
requirements of chemical labeling and the quality and consistency of the classification
use of safety data sheets (SDSs) to identify and labeling of chemicals, giving employees
chemical properties; physical health and quick visual notations to help prevent illness
environmental hazards; protective measures; and injuries. It also improves global trade
and safety precautions for handling, storing, conditions for chemical manufacturers. The
and transporting chemicals. revision also requires that employers produce
SDSs in a standard 16-section format and train
Background employees – especially those who may not be
The Occupational Safety and Health able to read – to understand and recognize
Administration (OSHA) established the HCS in the new label elements, pictograms, and SDS
1983 to reduce chemical-related illnesses and format. Employers, chemical manufacturers,
injuries, and to give employees "the right to importers, and distributors are all responsible
know" when working with hazardous materials. for disseminating information about chemical
Revised in 2012, the HSC (29 Code of Federal and physical hazards and protective measures
under the HCS.
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Recommendations o knowing how to find and use
chemical hazard information.
for Employers
OSHA recommends that employers take Employees must receive information on:
these steps to implement an effective hazard
communication program in the workplace: o any operations in their work areas
where hazardous chemical are
• Obtain and become familiar with present; and
OSHA's Hazard Communication
Standard. Employers can find the o the location and availability of the
standard at 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)- (h), at written hazard communication
www.osha.gov. program, including a required list of
hazardous chemicals and SDSs.
• Assign staff to coordinate and
run the HCS program. This includes • Label all hazardous chemical
designating the individual responsible containers properly. Employers must
for training. label all containers with the product
identifier and general information
• Train all employees in a manner and about the chemical's hazards. If labels
language they understand. Training are removed or defaced, employers
should cover hazardous chemicals they must relabel items. Employers should
might encounter in their immediate assign one person responsible for
work areas before an initial assignment ensuring that all hazardous chemical
and when a new hazard is introduced. containers are properly labeled.
Employers must keep training records
for each employee. While employers may use various
labeling methods, they must include
Employees must receive training in: all required information in the
label. Employees must have access
o detecting the presence or release of to complete information about a
a hazardous chemical in the work chemical's hazards. Labels must be
area; legible and prominently displayed.
Employers must present hazard
o understanding the physical and information in languages their
health hazards of the chemicals in employees speak, as long as the
the work area; information is also offered in English

o using appropriate work practices Exceptions to the container-labeling

and personal protective equipment requirement for employers are:
(PPE) to protect themselves from
chemical hazards; o Employers are not required to label
portable containers if they contain
o recognizing the details of the hazardous chemicals transferred
employer's hazard communication from labeled containers and are
program, including an explanation of intended for the immediate use by
the labeling system and the SDS; and
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 the employee who transferred the o composition;
chemical. o first-aid measures;

o Pipes or piping systems, engines, o fire-fighting measures;

fuel tanks, or other operating o accidental release measures;
systems in a vehicle are not o handling and storage; and
considered containers. Still,
o exposure controls/personal
employers must inform employees
protection.
of hazards associated with chemicals
contained in unlabeled pipes in their
Sections 9-11 and 16 of the SDS
work areas.
contain:
o For individual stationary process o physical and chemical properties;
containers, the workplace may use o stability and reactivity information;
signs, placards, process sheets,
o toxicological information; and
batch tickets, operating procedures,
or other written materials instead of o other information, including date of
affixing labels. Using the alternate preparation or last revision of the
method is permitted if it identifies SDS.
the container, includes all required
information, and is available to The SDS must also contain sections 12-
workers in their work area during 15 to align with the GHS, but OSHA does
their shift. (See 29 CFR 1910.1200(f) not enforce these sections, which other
(6) for workplace labeling). agencies handle.

o Any chemical substance or mixture If an employer does not receive an SDS

subject to the Environmental from a supplier, the employer must
Protection Agency Toxic Substances request one. Employers must also give
Control Act's labeling requirements employees access to the SDSs in their
and regulations are exempted. work areas and during their shifts in a
physical binder or electronic format.
• Obtain and make available
to employees an SDS for each If employers provide the SDSs
hazardous chemical used at the electronically, employers must:
facility. While both labels and SDSs
must accompany hazardous chemicals, o train employees to access the SDSs
SDSs are a complete source of electronically;
information about a chemical's hazards.
o back up the electronic system where
SDSs must contain details about
the SDSs are kept;
all chemical hazards in a standard
16-section format. o make hard copies of the SDSs
accessible to employees and medical
Sections 1-8 of the SDS contain: personnel; and
o identification; o assign one person to maintain and
update SDSs.
o hazard(s);

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 Example of the First Page of an SDS
1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE SUBSTANCE
Product Name WD40 Aerosol
Application Anti-squeak, moisture repellant, releasing agent
Supplier WD40 Company Limited
PO Box 440
Kilm Farm
Milton Keynes, UK
MK11 3LF
Tel: 01908.555400
Fax: 01908.266900
Email: info@wd40.co.uk
Emergency Telephone 00 44 1908 555 400

2. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
Flammable. Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness.
Classifcation R10, R66
Environment Tis product is not expected to be hazardous to the environment.
Physical and Chemical Hazards Aerosol containers can explode when heated, due to excessive pressure build-up. When sprayed
on a naked fame or any incandescent material the aerosol vapors can be ignited.
Human Health See section 11 for additional information on health hazards. Tis substance has no evidence of
carcinogenic properties.

3. COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
Name EC No. CAS-No. Content Classifcation
Carbon Dioxide 204-656-9 124-38-9 1-5% ---
Petroleum Distillate 265-150-3 64742-48-9 60-80% Xm, R65, R10, R66
Te full text for all R-phrases are displayed in section 16.

4. FIRST-AID MEASURES
Inhalation Move the exposed person to fresh air at once. Keep the afected person warm and at rest. Get
prompt medical attention.
Ingestion DO NOT INDUCE VOMITTING. NEVER MAKE AN UNCONSCIOUS PERSON VOMIT OR
DRINK FLUIDS! Immediately rinse mouth and drink plenty of water. Get medical attention.
Skin Contact Remove contaminated clothing immediately and wash skin with soap and water. Get medical
attention promptly if symptoms occur afer washing.
Eye Contact Make sure to remove any contact lenses from the eyes before rinsing. Promptly wash eyes with
plenty of water while lifing the eyelids. Continue to rinse for at least 15 minutes. Get medical
attention if discomfort continues.

5. FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES
Extinguishing Media Use foam, water spray, fog, mist, dry chemicals, sand, dolomite, etc.
Special Fire-Fighting Procedures Containers close to fre should be removed or cooled with water. Avoid water in a straight hose
stream; will scatter and spread fre.
Unusual Fire & Explosion Hazards Aerosol cans may explode in a fre.

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 • Establish a written hazard on the appropriate product identifier.
communication program. The However, the same identifier must
program must: appear on the label and in Section 1 of
the SDS.
o specify how the employer will
comply with labeling requirements • Signal Word
for chemical containers in the Signal words on the label are used to
workplace and chemical containers alert the reader of a potential hazard
shipped to other workplaces; and indicate the hazard's relative
severity. Only two signal words are used
o provide SDSs and other warnings ("danger" or "warning"). A label must
to employees and downstream contain only one of the two words, no
employers; and matter how many hazards a chemical
may have. "Danger" is used for more
o train and inform employees about severe hazards within a class, and
chemical hazards and protective "warning" is for less severe hazards.
measures.
• Pictograms
The written program must list all Pictograms are graphic symbols used
hazards, including chemicals and raw to communicate information about
materials in each work area. OSHA a chemical's hazards. They consist
recommends using the product of a red square frame set at a point
identifier (the name that appears on with a black hazard symbol on a white
the hazardous chemical's label and background. They must be wide enough
SDS) to make it easier for employers to to be visible. Note: While the GHS uses
track the status of SDSs and labels of a a total of nine pictograms, as depicted
particular hazardous chemical. in the figures below, OSHA enforces only
eight. The environmental pictogram is not
Employers must update their programs required. The eight pictograms required by
to account for any new chemicals or OSHA do not replace the diamond-shaped
hazards in the workplace, so they are U.S. Department of Transportation labels
always relevant. required to transport chemicals.

Manufacturer, Importer, &

Distributor Responsibilities
Containers shipped to employers by chemical
manufacturers, importers, and distributors
must be labeled to show:

• Product Identifier
The product identifier is the name,
code number, or batch number
used for the hazardous chemical on a
label or in the SDS. The manufacturer,
importer, or distributor can decide
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 • Hazard Statements • Contact Information
A hazard statement describes the Contact information should include the
nature, and in some cases, the degree name, address, and telephone number
of a chemical hazard. Example: "Causes of the chemical manufacturer, importer,
damage to kidneys through prolonged or another responsible party.
or repeated exposure when absorbed
through the skin." The HCS mandates that chemical manufactur-
ers, importers, and distributors that become
• Precautionary Statements newly aware of important information about a
Precautionary statements describe chemical’s hazards must revise the label with-
recommended measures for preventing in six months.
or minimizing adverse effects resulting
from exposure to the hazardous Chemical manufacturers, importers, and dis-
chemical or improper storage or tributors must also provide downstream users
handling of it. OSHA allows flexibility for with an SDS for each chemical they produce or
combining, ordering by precedence, or import. The SDS must be provided at the time
eliminating inappropriate statements. of initial product shipment. If the chemical
Example: "Keep away from heat, sparks, manufacturer, importer, or employer prepar-
and open flames," "Store in a well- ing the SDS is aware of important information
ventilated place," and "Keep cool" may about a chemical’s hazards or ways to protect
be combined to read: "Keep away from against them, the new information must be
heat, sparks, and open flames and store added to the SDS within three months. Each
in a cool, well-ventilated place." SDS must be in English, though it may also be
in other languages. The information must be
provided in the standard 16-section format.
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Information on the SDS
According to OSHA, a hazardous substance is any chemical that can cause harm to the
environment or human life through exposure via inhalation, ingestion, or assimilation. If a
product covered by the HCS meets the criteria to be included in a hazard class or category, it is
considered to be a "Hazardous Product" and must have an SDS. The HCS specifies the sections
and content for the SDS. The section number and heading on an SDS must be presented in the
specific order, as follows:
SDS SDS Heading Special Information Elements
Sec.
1. Identification • product identifier (e.g., product name);
• other means of identification (e.g., product
family, synonyms);
• recommended use;
• restrictions on use;
• supplier identifier (e.g., name, full address, and
phone number); and
• emergency telephone number and any
restrictions on the use of that number, if
applicable.
2. Hazard Identification • hazard classification (class, category, or
subcategory) of substance or mixture or
a description of the identified hazard for
“Physical or Health Hazards Not Otherwise
Classified”;
• label elements:
o symbol (image) or the name of the symbol;
o signal word;
o hazard statement(s); and
o precautionary statement(s).
• other hazards which do not result in
classification (e.g., molten metal hazard).
3. Composition/Information or • when a hazardous product is a material or
Ingredients substance:
o chemical name;
o common name and synonyms;
o Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) registry
number and any unique identifiers; and
o chemical name of impurities, stabilizing
solvents, or additives.
• for each material or substance in a mixture
that is classified in a health hazard class:
o chemical name;
o common name and synonyms;

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 o CAS registry number and any unique
identifiers; and
o concentration>
Note: Confidential business information rules can
apply.
4. Composition/Information or • first-aid measures by route of exposure:
Ingredients o inhalation;
o skin contact;
o eye contact; and
o ingestion.
• most important symptoms and effects (acute
or delayed); and
• immediate medical attention and special
treatment, if necessary.
5. Fire-Fighting Measures • suitable extinguishing media;
• unsuitable extinguishing media;
• specific hazards arising from the hazardous
product; and
• special protective equipment and precautions
for fire-fighters.
6. Accidental Release Measures • personal precautions, protective equipment,
and emergency procedures; and
• methods and materials for containment and
cleaning up.
7. Handling and Storage • precautions for safe handling; and
• conditions for safe storage (including
incompatible materials).

8. Exposure Controls/Personal • control parameters, including occupational

Protection exposure guidelines or biological exposure
limits and the source of those values;
• appropriate engineering controls; and
• individual protection measures (e.g., personal
protective equipment).

9. Physical and Chemical • appearance, such as physical state or color;

Properties • odor;
• odor threshold;
• pH;
• melting point/freezing point;
• initial boiling point/boiling range;
• flashpoint;
• evaporation rate;

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 • flammability (solid, gas);
• lower flammable/explosive limit;
• upper flammable/explosive limit;
• vapor pressure;
• vapor density;
• relative density;
• solubility;
• n-octanol-water partition coefficient;
• auto-ignition temperature;
• decomposition temperature; and
• viscosity.
10. Stability and Reactivity • reactivity;
• chemical stability;
• possibility of hazardous reactions;
• conditions to avoid (e.g., static discharge,
shock, or vibration);
• incompatible materials; and
• hazardous decomposition products.

11. Toxicological Information Concise but complete description of the various toxic
health effects and the data used to identify those
effects, including:

• information on the likely routes of exposure

(inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eye contact);
• symptoms related to the physical, chemical,
and toxicological characteristics;
• delayed and immediate effects and chronic
effects from short-term and long-term
exposure; and
• numerical measures of toxicity, including acute
toxicity estimates (ATEs).
12. Ecological Information* • ecotoxicity;
• persistence and degradability;
• bioaccumulation potential (the potential of
accumulation of elements and compounds
of harmful substances in the tissues of living
organisms);
• mobility in soil; and
• other adverse effects.

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HS00-14F (02-21) 9
13. Disposal Considerations* information on safe handling for disposal and
methods of disposal, including any contaminated
packaging.

14. Transport Information* • transportation number;

• proper shipping name;
• transport hazard class(es);
• packing group;
• environmental hazards;
• transport in bulk, if applicable; and
• special precautions.
15. Regulatory Information* safety, health, and environmental regulations specific
to the product.
16. Other Information* date of the latest revision of the SDS.

*OSHA does not enforce sections 12-15, which other agencies handle.

Evaluate and
Reassess
the Program
Review the company’s HCS
periodically and revise the
program as appropriate
to address changes, new
chemicals, or new hazards
in the workplace. Although
the HCS does not require
companies to evaluate
and reassess their hazard
communication program,
it must remain current and
relevant for the company and
its employees.

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Review Questions
1. Employees must be trained in understanding safety data sheets.

A. true
B. false

2. All employees should participate in hazard communication training.

A. true
B. false

3. Proper labeling

A. must be in English or another language if needed.

B. must identify the chemical.
C. must contain a hazard warning.
D. must contain the name and address of the responsible party.
E. all of the above.

4. Employees should be able to find safety data sheets:

A. locked in the safety officer's desk.

B. in their work areas.
C. kept by the chief financial officer.

Answers

1. (A. True); 2. (A. True); 3. (E. all of the above); 4. (B. in their work areas).
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HS00-14F (02-21) 11
 www.txsafetyatwork.com
1-800-252-7031, Option 2

The Texas Department of Insurance,

Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC)-Workplace Safety
P.O. Box 12050
Austin, TX 78711-2050

Disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted, this document was produced by the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation
using information from staff subject specialists, government entities, or other authoritative sources. Information contained in this fact sheet is
considered accurate at the time of publication. For more free publications and other occupational safety and health resources, visit
www. txsafetyatwork.com, call 800-252-7031, option 2, or email resourcecenter@tdi.texas.gov.

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