Hazard Communication Standard Resources

HazCom is short for Hazard Communication, it refers to OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard which addresses chemical hazards and safety in the workplace. The Hazard Communication Standard is an American-wide system that has been in place since 2012. It’s based on the principle that workers have a need and the right to know about the hazardous materials that are at their workplace, as well as the appropriate protective measures to prevent unwanted health effects.

Under HazCom suppliers have the responsibility to:  
• Classify hazards for the products they manufacture, import, and distribute.  
• Create container labels and Safety Data Sheets for their hazardous products.  
• Provide SDSs to customers with purchase of the hazardous product. 

Under HazCom, employers have the responsibility to:  
• Train workers on HazCom.   
• Inform workers of the hazardous products at their workplace and how to protect themselves from harm.   
• Make SDSs readily available.  
• Ensure hazardous products in the workplace are labelled.  
• Develop a written hazard communication program.  
• Maintain a list of all hazardous chemicals present at the workplace.  
• Make PPE available for workers. 

Under HazCom, employees have the responsibility to:  
• Participate in training. 
• Take necessary steps to protect themselves and their co-workers. 
• Participate in identifying and controlling hazards. 
• Communicate to your employer any problems with labels and SDSs. 
• Refuse unsafe work.

Suppliers need to prepare a Safety Data Sheet that accurately reflects the hazard classification of the product. Suppliers need to update the SDS with any new significant information within 3 months of becoming aware of this information.

Suppliers need to ensure containers of hazardous products are shipped with a label. Employers need to ensure hazardous products in the workplace are labelled. Any significant information change regarding the hazards of a chemical requires the supplier to revise the label for the chemical within six months of becoming aware of the new information.

The adoption of GHS allows for better communication of hazards for employees and a consistent standard for global trade. The main changes affect hazard classification, labels, and safety data sheets.
‍
• Hazard classification: GHS offers specific criteria for Physical and Health classification of hazards as well as classification of mixtures. 

• Labels: Chemical suppliers need to author standardized labels with certain elements including a signal word (Danger or Warning), pictogram, hazard statement and precautionary statements. 

• Safety Data Sheets: Chemical suppliers will need to author a 16-section format SDS.   Employers need to train workers on understanding the new elements of SDSs and labels.