OSHA Hazard Communication Standard – 29 CFR 1910.1200

Hazardous chemicals are found in workplaces throughout nearly every industry. Depending on the substance and how it is used, employees may encounter dusts, gases, vapors, liquids, fumes, and other materials capable of causing injury or illness.

Chemical hazards can cause immediate effects such as skin and eye irritation, chemical burns, poisoning, fires, and explosions, as well as long-term health effects such as respiratory disease, organ damage, reproductive effects, and cancer.

The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), 29 CFR 1910.1200, commonly called HazCom, requires employers to communicate information about hazardous chemicals to employees so they can recognize chemical hazards and understand the precautions necessary to protect themselves.

What Is OSHA Hazard Communication?

Hazard communication is a system for communicating chemical safety information from chemical manufacturers and importers to employers and ultimately to the employees who use or may be exposed to hazardous chemicals.

The system relies primarily on:

• Chemical hazard classification.
• A written Hazard Communication Program.
• Container labels and other warnings.
• Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).
• Employee information and training.

Together, these elements help employees understand what a chemical is, what hazards it presents, how exposure can occur, and what precautions should be taken.

Written Hazard Communication Program

Employers with hazardous chemicals in the workplace must develop, implement, and maintain a written Hazard Communication Program as required by OSHA.

The program describes how the employer will address workplace labeling, Safety Data Sheets, and employee information and training. It must also address applicable procedures for non-routine tasks, hazards associated with chemicals in unlabeled pipes, and communication at multi-employer workplaces.

Employers must also maintain a list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present using product identifiers that correspond with the appropriate Safety Data Sheets.

Hazard Communication and GHS

OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard incorporates elements of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).

GHS provides a standardized approach to classifying chemical hazards and communicating them through labels and Safety Data Sheets. Standardization makes chemical-hazard information easier to recognize and understand across different products and manufacturers.

OSHA updated the Hazard Communication Standard in 2024, primarily aligning it with Revision 7 of the GHS and making additional changes to improve chemical hazard classification and communication.

Understanding Chemical Labels

Labels provide employees with an immediate source of information about hazardous chemicals.

Depending on the chemical, a shipped-container label may include:

• Product Identifier – Identifies the chemical or product.
• Signal Word – Uses Danger or Warning to indicate the relative severity of a hazard.
• Hazard Statements – Describe the nature and, where appropriate, degree of the hazard.
• Pictograms – Provide standardized visual symbols for particular hazards.
• Precautionary Statements – Describe recommended measures for preventing or minimizing harmful effects.
• Supplier Information – Identifies the manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party.

Employees should read the entire label rather than relying on the product name or pictogram alone.

GHS Hazard Pictograms

OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard uses standardized pictograms to help employees quickly recognize different types of chemical hazards.

Depending on the chemical classification, pictograms may identify hazards involving:

• Flammability.
• Explosivity.
• Oxidizers.
• Acute toxicity.
• Corrosive materials.
• Serious health hazards.
• Irritants and other health effects.
• Gases under pressure.

A pictogram is only one part of the hazard information. Employees should also consider the signal word, hazard statements, precautionary statements, and applicable Safety Data Sheet.

Safety Data Sheets

A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provides detailed information about a hazardous chemical and the precautions necessary for its safe use.

OSHA uses a standardized 16-section SDS format. Information includes:

• Chemical and manufacturer identification.
• Hazard identification.
• Composition and ingredients.
• First-aid measures.
• Fire-fighting measures.
• Accidental-release measures.
• Handling and storage.
• Exposure controls and personal protective equipment.
• Physical and chemical properties.
• Stability and reactivity.
• Toxicological information.

Additional sections address ecological, disposal, transportation, regulatory, and other information.

Because SDSs use a standardized format, employees can more easily locate information concerning PPE, first aid, storage, exposure controls, spills, and other safety concerns.

Employee Information and Training

Employers must provide employees with effective information and training concerning hazardous chemicals in their work area.

Training should enable employees to understand:

• The requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard.
• Operations where hazardous chemicals are present.
• How to locate and use the written Hazard Communication Program and SDSs.
• Methods used to detect the presence or release of hazardous chemicals.
• Physical and health hazards associated with workplace chemicals.
• Measures employees can take to protect themselves.
• Workplace labeling and the information provided on chemical labels and SDSs.

Employees must receive required information and training at the time of initial assignment and whenever a new chemical hazard for which they have not previously been trained is introduced into their work area.

Labels and SDSs Work Together

Labels and Safety Data Sheets serve different but complementary purposes.

A label provides important hazard information directly on the container. An SDS provides much more detailed information about the chemical and the precautions necessary for handling, storage, exposure control, emergency response, and other situations.

For example, an employee may see a flame pictogram and the signal word Danger on a container. The SDS can then provide more detailed information concerning flammability, storage requirements, appropriate extinguishing methods, exposure controls, and emergency procedures.

Employees should know how to locate, read, and understand both.

OSHA’s Updated Hazard Communication Standard

OSHA issued a final rule updating the Hazard Communication Standard in 2024. The revised standard primarily aligns the HCS with Revision 7 of the GHS and includes changes affecting chemical classification, labels, Safety Data Sheets, small-container labeling, chemicals released for shipment, and other provisions.

OSHA established phased compliance dates for implementation of the revised requirements. During the transition, employers may encounter labels and Safety Data Sheets prepared under different permissible compliance provisions.

Because compliance dates and responsibilities differ for chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors, and employers, businesses should consult OSHA’s current Hazard Communication information when determining which requirements presently apply.

Why Hazard Communication Matters

Employees cannot protect themselves from chemical hazards they do not recognize or understand.

An effective Hazard Communication Program gives employees the information necessary to answer important questions before working with a chemical:

What is this product? What hazards does it present? How can exposure occur? What PPE and precautions are necessary? What should be done if the chemical spills, catches fire, or exposes an employee?

Labels, Safety Data Sheets, employee training, and the employer’s written Hazard Communication Program work together to provide those answers.

For company-specific requirements covering chemical inventories, workplace labeling, SDS management, employee training, non-routine tasks, multi-employer workplaces, and other procedures, refer to the company’s Hazard Communication Program.