HAZARD COMMUNICATION (29 CFR 1910.

1200 )
 Introduction
Lesson objectives:
1. Identify the employer’s responsibilities under the
HCS (Hazard Communication Standard ), including training
requirements.
2. Identify components of a Hazard Communication
program.
3. Describe requirements of the different types of
Hazard Communication labels.
4. Locate pertinent information about chemicals on
labels, including other forms of hazard
communication, to ensure “right to understanding”
provisions of GHS requirements.
 Introduction

HCS/GHS
• Save lives
– Approximately 43 per year (deaths)
– Approximately 585 per year injuries/illnesses
• Save Money$
– $475.2M in increased productivity
– $32.2M in cost savings
 What is Chemical?

• Short answer: Everything is a chemical.

• Long answer: A chemical is any
substance consisting of matter. This
includes any liquid, solid, or gas. A
chemical is any pure substance or any
mixture. It doesn't matter whether it
occurs naturally or is made artificially.
 Classes of Chemicals
Chemicals can be broken down into hazard classes and exhibit both
physical and health hazards
Chemical Hazards

Explosives 2 Physical Hazards 1. Health Hazard Target -Organ

2.1 Reactive 2.2 Fire

Chemicals Hazard 1.2 Corrosive 1.5 Irritants
1.4 Sensitizer

2.1.1
Water 2.2.2 2.2.3 1.3 Carcinogens 1.6
Reactive Oxidizers Flammable Reproductive

2.1.2 2.2.4 2.2.5 1.6.2 1.6.1

Unstable Pyrophorics Combustibles Mutagens Teratogens
 Introduction
Seven major elements in the GHS-aligned Hazard
Communication Standard

Trainings SDS LABELS

GHS
Signal
Pictograms TERMS Words

Hazard
Precautionary Statement
statement

Source: OSHA
 Employer Responsibilities
Employer responsibilities under the HCS:
1. Ensure labels are on incoming labels and not defaced
2. Maintain SDSs from shipments
3. Obtain SDSs if not received
4. Ensure SDSs are readily accessible
5. Ensure chemicals in workplace are properly labeled,
tagged, or marked
6. Provide information and training to employees
7. Provide information/access for employees in multi-
employer workplaces
8. Develop, implement, and maintain a written hazard
communication program
 Employers Responsibilities
How hazard communication works:

Source: OSHA
 Hazard Communication Programs

Requirements for a written program:

1. Develop, implement, and maintain a written
hazard communication program
2. Main intent is to ensure compliance with
standard in a systematic way that coordinates all
elements
 Hazard Communication Programs

Components of written program:

1. Lists of hazardous chemicals present at worksite
2. Availability of SDSs to employees and
downstream employers
3. Labeling of chemical containers
4. Training programs regarding hazards of
chemicals and protective measures
 Hazard Communication Programs

Safety data sheet (SDS):

1. Available and accessible to workers
2. Required for all hazardous chemical used
3. Do not use hazardous chemicals if there is no SDS
available
4. 16-section format

Source: OSHA
 Hazard Communication Programs

SDS documentation:
1. Designate person(s) responsible for obtaining
and maintaining SDSs
2. Describe how SDSs are
maintained and how
employees can access them
3. Procedures if SDS is not
received with first shipment Source: OSHA

4. Must have SDS for each chemical; train workers

on SDS format and use
 Hazard Communication Programs

SDS 16-section format:

• Section 1: Identification Source: OSHA

• Section 2: Hazard(s) identification

• Section 3: Composition/information
on ingredients
• Section 4: First-aid measures
• Section 5: Fire-fighting measures
• Section 6: Accidental release measures
• Section 7: Handling and storage
• Section 8: Exposure control/personal
protection
 Hazard Communication Programs

• Section 9: Physical and chemical properties

• Section 10: Stability and reactivity
• Section 11: Toxicological information
• Section 12: Ecological information
• Section 13: Disposal considerations Not
• Section 14: Transport information regulated by
OSHA
• Section 15: Regulatory information
• Section 16: Other information
Hazard Communication Programs

Source: OSHA
 Hazard Communication Programs

Requirements for workplace labels:

1. Employers can create own labeling system that
works for their workplace/employees
2. Can choose same label required for shipped
containers or alternative labels as long as they
provide general information about hazards
3. Train employees to understand

Source: OSHA
 Hazard Communication Programs
Training requirements:
1. Train employees on
hazardous chemicals
in their work area
 Before initial assignment Source: OSHA

 When new hazards are introduced

 Non-routine tasks
2. Include in training
Hazards of chemicals
Appropriate protective measures
Where and how to obtain additional
information
Hazard Communication Labels
Types of labels:
1. HCS shipping labels
2. HCS workplace labels
3. NFPA 704 labels
4. HMIS labels
5. DOT shipping labels,
placarding, and
markings

Source of graphics: OSHA

 Hazard Communication Labels
Required elements for
HCS shipping labels:
1. Product identifier
2. Signal word
3. Hazard statement(s)
4. Precautionary
statement(s)
5. Pictogram
6. Name, address,
telephone number
Source: OSHA
 How the hazardous
chemical is
identified

ontact information
of Responsible
Party

Source: OSHA
 Indicates the
relative level of
Pictograms
severity of hazard;
convey specific
information about
“Danger” is used
the hazards of a
for more severe
chemical in
hazards and
symbols and
“Warning” for less
other graphic
severe hazards
elements

Source: OSHA
 Health Hazard
Exclamation
Flame Mark

Source: OSHA
 Gas Cylinder
Exploding
Corrosion
Bomb

Source: OSHA
Skull
Flame
Environmental
andOver
Crossbones
Circle
(Non-Mandatory)

Not regulated by OSHA Source: OSHA

 Describes
Statement assigned
recommended
to hazard class and
measures that should
category that
be taken to minimize or
describes the nature
prevent adverse effects
of the hazard(s), of a
resulting from exposure
chemical, including,
to a hazardous
where appropriate,
chemical, or improper
the degree of hazard.
storage or handling.

Source: OSHA
Hazard Communication Labels
• Alternative workplace labels:
1. Permitted for workplace labels
2. Must provide at least general information
regarding hazards of chemicals
3. Hazard warnings or pictograms that conflict
with HCS label elements cannot be used
4. Examples: NFPA 704 and HMIS

Source: OSHA Source: TEEX

 Hazard Communication Labels
Other labels:
1. NFPA 704
 Overall diamond shape
made up of four
smaller diamonds
 Each smaller diamond
is a different color
 Numbers within
smaller diamonds
represent severity of
hazard

Source: OTIEC
Hazard Communication Labels

– NFPA 704 –
hazards and
severity
ratings
Hazard Communication Labels

Source: OSHA
 Hazard Communication Labels
2. HMIS label
 Intended for “In-plant” (workplace) labeling compliance
 Color-coded bars
 Numerical scale, 0-4, (Product identifier)
with 0 as lowest
hazard and 4 as HEALTH
highest hazard
• 0 = minimal hazard FLAMMABILITY
• 1 = slight hazard
• 2 = moderate hazard PHYSICAL HAZARD
• 3 = serious hazard PERSONAL PROTECTION
• 4 = severe hazard
Source: OTIEC
 Hazard Communication Labels
• HMIS hazard indicators PPE Index:
A = safety glasses
B= safety glasses +
Flammability gloves
ratings:
Health ratings:
C = safety glasses + gloves + apron
(Product identifier) 0 face
= nowill not+space
burn
D0 The
= = second
significant
shield signifies
gloves risk
+ apron
E= 1 1 safety
== irritation/minor
chronic flashpoint
glasses >200°F
health+hazard +with
glovesinjury
dust
HEALTH an
2 2= =asterisk
flashpoint
respirator
F = safety
(*) ≥100°F,injury
temporary/minor
3Physicalbutglasses
<200°F+ gloves + apron
=+ dust respirator ratings:
major Hazard
injury
FLAMMABILITY G= 403 safety
== life-threatening
flashpoint
normally <73°F
stable
glasses +
and
gloves + vapor
1= boiling point
normally
respirator >100°F,
stable, but
H = splash or flashpoint between
goggles + gloves + apron
PHYSICAL HAZARD 2 =
can
+ vapor
become unstable
73°Frespirator
unstableand 100°F
I = safety glasses + gloves + dust
PERSONAL PROTECTION 34 and
== explosive
flashpoint <73°F and
vapor respirator
J =4 splash boiling
= readily
gogglespoint <100°F
explosive
+ gloves + apron
Source: OTIEC
+ dust and vapor respirator
K = air-line hood or mask + gloves +
full suit + boots
X = ask supervisor or safety specialist
Hazard Communication Labels

Ammonium Hydroxide

HEALTH * 2
FLAMMABILITY 0
PHYSICAL HAZARD 0
PERSONAL PROTECTION

J
Source: OTIEC
Hazard Communication Labels

Source of graphics: OSHA

Hazard Communication Labels

Source of graphics: OSHA

 Hazard Communication Labels
• DOT shipping containers – marking, labeling, and
placarding
1. Uses graphic elements on square-on-point placards or
labels to identify shipments of hazardous materials
2. Square-on-points have backgrounds of various colors
3. Where shipping container is also container used in
workplace, workers must be made aware of DOT
pictograms
4. DOT Classification – groups hazardous materials based
on dangers posed in transportation; 9 classes
Hazard Communication Labels

– Labels
– Placards
– Markings

Source: OSHA

Source: TEEX
Source: DOT - PHMSA
Hazard Communication Labels

DOT
Warning
Labels

Source: DOT - PHMSA

 Hazard Communication Labels

DOT
Warning
Placards

Source: DOT - PHMSA

Hazard Communication Labels
DOT Markings

Source: DOT - PHMSA

 Locating Information
In which section of an SDS would you find the
following information:
1. Hazard identification such as hazard classification,
signal word, and precautionary statements
Section 2: Hazard(s) Identification
2. Initial care instructions for untrained responders
attending to an individual who has been exposed to
the chemical
Section 4: First-Aid Measures
3. Recommendations for PPE
Section 8: Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
 Summary

In this module we discussed:

• Employer’s responsibilities under HCS
• Components of a Hazard Communication Program
• Requirements of different types of Hazard
Communication labels
• How to locate pertinent information