606 Hazard Communication for the Employee

Primary (Shipped) Container Labels

Under the HCS, containers shipped by manufacturers, importers, or distributors must be labeled, tagged, or marked with six elements:

• Product identifier
• Signal word
• Hazard statement(s)
• Pictogram(s)
• Precautionary statement(s)
• Name, U.S. address, and U.S. telephone number of the manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party

Product Identifier

• The product identifier is the name or number used for a hazardous chemical on its label and SDS. The identifier must allow employees to match the container with the correct SDS.

Signal Words

• A signal word indicates the relative severity of a hazard. "Danger" is used for more severe hazard categories, and "Warning" is used for less severe categories. When "Danger" is required, "Warning" does not also appear.

Hazard Statements

• A phrase assigned to a hazard class and category that describes the nature of the hazards of a hazardous product, including, when appropriate, the degree of the hazard. For example, "Fatal if swallowed" could be used as a hazard statement.
• Hazard-statement codes are for reference and do not replace the required statement text.

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