The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom), also known as the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), is a federal regulation designed to ensure workers understand the hazards associated with chemicals they may encounter on the job. Often referred to as the “Right-to-Know” standard, HazCom requires employers, manufacturers, and importers to communicate chemical hazard information through labels, Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), and employee training.
First introduced in 1983, the standard remains one of OSHA’s most widely applicable workplace safety regulations. Nearly every organization that manufactures, stores, distributes, or uses hazardous chemicals must comply with HazCom requirements.
Why the HazCom Standard Exists
Chemical hazards are present in countless workplaces, from manufacturing plants and laboratories to hospitals, warehouses, schools, and construction sites. Without clear communication, employees may not understand the risks associated with the chemicals they use every day.
The Hazard Communication Standard was created to ensure workers have access to information that helps them:
- Identify chemical hazards
- Understand safe handling procedures
- Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Respond to spills, fires, and emergencies
- Reduce the risk of workplace injuries and illnesses
The standard establishes a consistent framework for communicating chemical hazards throughout the supply chain and within the workplace.
The Four Core Requirements of HazCom
Organizations covered by HazCom must comply with several key requirements.
1. Hazard Classification
Chemical manufacturers and importers must evaluate the hazards of chemicals they produce or distribute. This process determines how products are classified and what hazard information must be communicated.
2. Labels
Hazardous chemical containers must include standardized labels containing specific information, including signal words, hazard statements, precautionary statements, and hazard pictograms.
3. Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
Manufacturers and importers must provide a Safety Data Sheet for every hazardous chemical. Employers must maintain SDSs and ensure employees can access them during every work shift.
4. Employee Training
Workers must receive training on chemical hazards, labeling systems, SDSs, and workplace procedures that help minimize exposure risks.
Together, these requirements form the foundation of an effective Hazard Communication Program.
HazCom and the Globally Harmonized System (GHS)
One of the most significant changes to the Hazard Communication Standard occurred in 2012 when OSHA aligned HazCom with the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).
This update standardized two critical components of chemical hazard communication:
Standardized SDS Format
The previous Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) format was replaced with the modern 16-section Safety Data Sheet structure. This consistency makes it easier for employees, emergency responders, and safety professionals to locate important information quickly.
Standardized Chemical Labels
Hazard labels now follow a consistent format that includes:
- Signal words such as “Danger” or “Warning”
- Hazard statements
- Precautionary statements
- Product identifiers
- Supplier information
- GHS hazard pictograms
These changes improved clarity and promoted greater consistency across industries and international markets.
What Is a Written Hazard Communication Program?
Every employer covered by HazCom must maintain a written Hazard Communication Program that explains how the organization complies with the standard.
A written program typically outlines:
- How hazardous chemicals are identified and inventoried
- How labels and SDSs are maintained
- Employee training procedures
- Methods for communicating hazards to contractors and temporary workers
- Procedures for non-routine tasks involving hazardous chemicals
The program must be available to employees and provided to OSHA inspectors upon request.
HazCom Compliance Is an Ongoing Process
HazCom compliance doesn’t end once SDSs are collected and employees are trained. New chemicals enter the workplace, manufacturers update Safety Data Sheets, and regulatory requirements continue to evolve.
Organizations that rely on manual processes often struggle to keep chemical inventories, SDS libraries, and training records current. That’s why many companies implement SDS management and authoring solutions to streamline compliance, improve document accessibility, and maintain confidence that workers always have access to accurate hazard information.
Simplify HazCom Compliance with TotalSDS
TotalSDS helps organizations support every aspect of their Hazard Communication Program, from SDS authoring and document management to chemical inventory visibility and compliance readiness. By centralizing critical chemical safety information, organizations can improve workplace safety while reducing the administrative burden of ongoing HazCom compliance.
