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Hazard Communication
Introductory Comments
Hazard Communication also referred to as “HAZCOM” was developed to ensure that employers provide employees with important safety information about chemicals used in the workplace. Its purpose is to ensure that employers and employees can quickly identify the hazards associated with a chemical and know what protective action to take. The Hazard Communication Standard will provide a common and coherent approach to classifying and communicating hazard information on labels and safety data sheets.
Meeting Start Question
• What is Hazard Communication?
• What are Safety Data Sheets?
• What is considered Hazardous Chemical?
Critical Safety Points
Categories of the Hazard Communication Standard:
• Hazard Classification
• Written Hazard Communication Program
• Labels
• Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
• Training
Hazard Classification: Provides specific criteria for classification of health and physical hazards,
as well as classification of mixtures.
Written Hazard Communication Program: The Hazard Communication Program requires
employers to fully document the actions taken to comply with all the provisions of the Hazard
Communication Standards, a copy of the written program must be made available, upon request,
to all employees and OSHA Officials.
Labels: Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to provide a label that includes a
signal word, pictogram, and hazard statement for each hazard class and category. Precautionary
statements must also be provided.
• Signal Word: is used to indicate the relative level of severity of hazard. DANGER is used
for more severe hazards and WARNING is used for less severe hazards.
• Pictogram: is a symbol plus other graphic elements to convey specific hazard information.
• Hazard Statement: describes the nature and degree of the hazards.
Safety Data Sheets: Includes information such as properties of each chemical; the physical,
health, and environmental health hazards; protective measures; and safety precautions for
handling, storing, and transporting the chemical. All the information on the SDS must be available
to employees working with or near the hazardous chemical. The SDSs are presented in a
consistent user-friendly, 16-section format.
Training: Employers are required to provide employees with effective information and training
on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a
new physical or health hazard is introduced into the area. The training must include methods and
observations used to detect the presence or release of the chemical, physical and health hazards,
protective measures, labeling and explanation of the SDS.
Pictogram: The Hazard Communication Standard 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 with a red border and represents a distinct hazards. The pictogram on
the label is determinsed by the chemical hazard classficiation.
Hazardous Chemicals: Is a chemical that has properties with the potential to do harm to human
or animal health, the environment, or capable of damaging property. Hazardous Chemicals are
categorized as:
• Flammable or Explosive
• Irriating or Corrosive to skin, lungs, and eyes
• Toxic Chemicals such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, cyanide.