1. Hazard Communication Program

2. Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)
OSHA’s Hazards Communication Standard 29.CFR defines the requirements for a Hazards Communication Program
Chemical Manufacturers or importers are required to evaluate hazards of materials they produce or import and:
Create SDS
Create Labels that convey hazards information
Employers with hazardous chemicals must:
Have and use SDS
Have and use Labels
Have and implement training programs 1a

3. Hazard Communication Standard Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires chemical manufacturers, distributors, or importers to provide Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) 2a

4. Hazard Communication Standard Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
On June 1, 2015, the HCS required new SDS’s, previously MSDS, to be in a uniform format, and include the section numbers, the headings, and associated information under 16 headings as indicated below: 3a

5. Hazard Communication Standard Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Section 1, Identification includes product identifier; manufacturer or distributor name, address, phone number; emergency phone number; recommended use; restrictions on use.
Section 2, Hazard(s) identification includes all hazards regarding the chemical; required label elements.
Section 3, Composition/information on ingredients includes information on chemical ingredients; trade secret claims.
Section 4, First-aid measures includes important symptoms/effects, acute, delayed; required treatment.
Section 5, Fire-fighting measures lists suitable extinguishing techniques, equipment; chemical hazards from fire.

6. Hazard Communication Standard Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Section 6, Accidental release measures lists emergency procedures; protective equipment; proper methods of containment and cleanup.
Section 7, Handling and storage lists precautions for safe handling and storage, including incompatibilities.
Section 8, Exposure controls/personal protection lists OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs); ACGIH Threshold Limit Values (TLVs); and any other exposure limit used or recommended by the chemical manufacturer, importer, or employer preparing the SDS where available as well as appropriate engineering controls; personal protective equipment (PPE).

7. Hazard Communication Standard Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Section 9, Physical and chemical properties lists the chemical's characteristics.
Section 10, Stability and reactivity lists chemical stability and possibility of hazardous reactions.
Section 11, Toxicological information includes routes of exposure; related symptoms, acute and chronic effects; numerical measures of toxicity
Section 12, Ecological information*
Section 13, Disposal considerations*
Section 14, Transport information*
Section 15, Regulatory information*
Section 16, Other information, includes the date of preparation or last revision.

8. Hazard Communications Standard Labels
All labels are required to have
Pictograms,
A signal word,
Hazard and precautionary statements,
The product identifier,
Supplier identification.
Supplemental information can also be provided on the label as needed. 4b

9. Hazard Communications Standard Labels

10. Hazard Communications Standard Labels
Employer Responsibilities
Employers are responsible for maintaining the labels on the containers, including, but not limited to, tanks, totes, and drums. This means that labels must be maintained on chemicals in a manner which continues to be legible and the pertinent information (such as the hazards and directions for use) does not get defaced (i.e., fade, get washed off) or removed in any way. 4b

11. Hazard Communications Standard Labels
If an employer transfers hazardous chemicals from a labeled container to a portable container that is only intended for immediate use by the employee who performs the transfer, no labels are required for the portable container. 4b

12. Hazard Communications Standard Labels
Employers may use additional instructional symbols that are not included in OSHA’s HCS pictograms on the workplace labels. An example of an instructional pictogram is a person with goggles, denoting that goggles must be worn while handling the given chemical. Including both types of pictograms on workplace labels is acceptable.
The same is true if the employer wants to list environmental pictograms or PPE pictograms from the HMIS to identify protective measures for those handling the chemical. 4b

13. Hazard Communications Standard Labels (Hazard Statements)
Hazard Statements describe:
The nature of the hazard(s) of a chemical, including, where appropriate, the degree of hazard.
For example: “Causes damage to kidneys through prolonged or repeated exposure when absorbed through the skin.

14. Hazard Communication Standard Labels (Hazard Statements)
All of the applicable Hazard Statements must appear on the label.
Hazard statements may be combined where appropriate to reduce redundancies and improve readability.
The hazard statements are specific to the hazard classification categories, and chemical users should always see the same statement for the same hazards no matter what the chemical is or who produces it.

15. Hazard Communication Standard Labels (Precautionary Statements)
Precautionary Statements describe recommended measures that should be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to the hazardous chemical or improper storage or handling.
There are four types of precautionary statements:
Prevention (to minimize exposure);
Response (in case of accidental spillage or exposure emergency response, and first-aid);
Storage;
Disposal. 7a

16. Hazard Communication Standard Labels (Precautionary Statements)
For example, a chemical presenting a specific target organ toxicity (repeated exposure) hazard would include the following on the label:
“Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapors/spray.
Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell.
Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local/regional/ national and international regulations.” 7a

17. Hazard Communication Standard Labels (Precautionary Statements)
In most cases, the precautionary statements are independent. However, OSHA does allow flexibility for applying precautionary statements to the label, such as combining statements, using an order of precedence or eliminating an inappropriate statement. 7a

18. Hazard Communication Standard Labels (Precautionary Statements)
Precautionary statements may be combined on the label to save on space and improve readability. For example,
“Keep away from heat, spark and open flames,” “Store in a well-ventilated place,” and “Keep cool” may be combined to read:
“Keep away from heat, sparks and open flames and store in a cool, well-ventilated place.” 7a

19. Hazard Communication Standard Pictogram
The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires pictograms on labels to alert users of the chemical hazards to which they may be exposed.
Each pictogram consists of a symbol on a white background framed within a red border and represents a distinct hazard(s).
The pictogram on the label is determined by the chemical hazard classification. 8b

20. Hazard Communication Standard (Pictogram)8b

21. Hazard Communication Standard (Pictogram)8b

22. Hazard Communication Standard (Pictogram)8b

23. Hazard Communication Standard (Pictogram)8b

24. Hazard Communication Standard (Pictogram)8b

25. Hazard Communication Standard (Pictogram)8b

26. Hazard Communication Standard (Pictogram)8b

27. Hazard Communication Standard (Pictogram)8b

28. Hazard Communication Standard (Pictogram)8b

29. Hazard Communication Standard Principle