OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom): What Workers Need to Know About Chemical Safety
Millions of American workers are exposed to hazardous chemicals every day. OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom), also known as the "Right to Know" law, ensures that workers have access to information about the chemicals they work with and the hazards they present.
What Is HazCom?
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) requires chemical manufacturers and importers to evaluate the hazards of chemicals they produce or import, and to provide that information to downstream users through Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and container labels. Employers must then communicate this information to their workers.
The Globally Harmonized System (GHS)
In 2012, OSHA aligned HazCom with the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). This standardized the format of SDS and labels, making chemical hazard information consistent and easier to understand worldwide.
Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
Every hazardous chemical must have a 16-section SDS that includes:
- Chemical identification and supplier information
- Hazard identification
- Composition and ingredient information
- First aid measures
- Fire-fighting measures
- Accidental release measures
- Handling and storage requirements
- Exposure controls and PPE requirements
- Physical and chemical properties
- Toxicological information
GHS Label Requirements
Chemical containers must be labeled with the product identifier, signal word ("Danger" or "Warning"), hazard statements, precautionary statements, pictograms, and supplier information.
Employer Responsibilities Under HazCom
- Maintain a written HazCom program
- Maintain an inventory of all hazardous chemicals in the workplace
- Ensure SDS are accessible to workers at all times
- Train workers on chemical hazards and how to read SDS and labels
- Ensure all containers are properly labeled
PPE for Chemical Hazards
The SDS for each chemical will specify the required PPE, which may include chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, face shields, respirators, and chemical-resistant clothing. RANOVA USA carries a full range of chemical-resistant PPE to keep your workers protected.
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