Other Important Labeling Requirements
Labels are useless unless they accurately communicate the hazards of their associated chemicals. It's important to keep labels in good condition at all times. The employer must not remove or deface existing labels on incoming containers of hazardous chemicals, unless the container is immediately marked with the required information.
The employer must ensure that labels or other forms of warning are:
- legible in English
- prominently displayed on the container
- readily available in the work area throughout each work shift
Employers with employees who speak other languages may add the information in those languages as long as it is also presented in English.
Updating Shipped-Container Labels
Manufacturers, importers, distributors, or employers that become aware of significant new hazard information must revise the chemical's labels within six months. Containers shipped after that period must include the new information.
A manufacturer, importer, distributor, or employer does not have to relabel a chemical that has already been packaged and labeled in the form in which it will be distributed or sold. This is known as being released for shipment. When this flexibility is used, an updated label for each individual container must accompany each shipment.
For bulk shipments, the label may be placed on the immediate container, transmitted with shipping papers or a bill of lading, or, with the receiving entity's agreement, transmitted by technological or electronic means so that it is immediately available to workers in printed form at the receiving end. When a Department of Transportation pictogram appears on a shipped container, the HCS pictogram for the same hazard is permitted but is not required.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-9. The employer must not remove or deface existing labels on incoming containers of hazardous chemicals, unless _____.
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