Introduction
Hazardous chemicals can cause fires, explosions, acute injuries, and long-term health effects. OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), 29 CFR 1910.1200, helps protect employees by requiring chemical hazards and protective measures to be communicated through a written program, container labels, safety data sheets (SDSs), and employee information and training.
OSHA first issued the HCS in 1983 and expanded it to cover all industries in 1987. OSHA revised the standard in 2012 to align it with the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) .
OSHA's 2024 update aligns the HCS primarily with GHS Revision 7 and improves hazard classification, shipped-container labels, small-container labels, trade-secret concentration ranges, and SDS content. The updated rule took effect July 19, 2024. During each applicable transition period, affected parties may follow the previous HCS, the updated HCS, or both. OSHA's current compliance dates extend through May 19, 2028, depending on whether the chemical is a substance or mixture and whether the duty applies to a supplier or an employer.
- Substances: Manufacturers, importers, and distributors must comply by May 19, 2026. Employers must update affected workplace labels, programs, and training by November 20, 2026.
- Mixtures: Manufacturers, importers, and distributors must comply by November 19, 2027. Employers must update affected workplace labels, programs, and training by May 19, 2028.
This course will discuss OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard and how employees can protect themselves from the dangers of hazardous chemicals in their work environment.
Course Objectives
| ID | Objective |
|---|---|
| TO 1.0 | Achieve a minimum score of 70% on the final course assessment. |
| LO 1.1.1 | Describe and explain the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) and Globally Harmonized System (GHS). |
| LO 1.1.2 | Define "hazardous substance" and give examples of physical and health hazards. |
| LO 1.1.3 | Describe the various forms of hazardous chemicals. |
| LO 1.1.4 | List and give examples of the four primary routes of entry. |
| LO 1.1.5 | Describe the four types of containers and their labels. |
| LO 1.1.6 | Identify the six levels of the Hierarchy of Controls. |
| LO 1.1.7 | Give examples of the four types of chemical containers and labeling requirements. |
| LO 1.1.8 | Identify the meaning of each of the nine HCS 2012 pictograms. |
| LO 1.1.9 | Identify and explain the requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). |
| LO 1.2.1 | Discuss the purpose and major sections of the safety data sheet (SDS). |
| LO 1.2.2 | Describe the requirements for hazard communication program employee training. |
Key: Terminal Objective (TO), Learning Objective (LO)