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705 Hazard Communication Program
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Workplace Container Labels

Most employers use the primary containers they purchase to store and use chemicals. However, they may also use their own containers such as coffee cans, drums, plastic jugs, spray bottles, etc. to store and use smaller quantities of chemicals they purchase. These are called workplace containers.

A workplace container must be labeled correctly in order to communiucate the potential hazards effectively.

The employer must ensure that each workplace container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked with either:

  • The information required on shipped container labels; or,
  • Product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof, which provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals, and which, in conjunction with the other information immediately available to employees under the hazard communication program, will provide employees with the specific information regarding the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical.

OSHA inspectors see workplace containers without labels frequently and cite the employer. This situation also tells the OSHA inspector they need to look more closely at the overall HAZCOM Program because it's obvious the program is not working.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

3-4. Coffee cans, drums, plastic bottles, spray bottles, and mason jars are all examples of which type of containers?