What hazard communication deals with: the complete guide to HazCom

Last updated 2026-07-09

What does hazard communication actually deal with?

Hazard communication deals with one problem: workers get hurt or sick because nobody told them what the chemicals they handle can do to them. OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, at 29 CFR 1910.1200, is the rule that fixes that.^[1]

The standard covers the whole chain of chemical information. Manufacturers and importers have to classify every chemical they produce, put standardized labels on containers, and write a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) explaining the hazard in detail. Employers who buy and use those chemicals have to pass all of that down to workers, keep the SDSs accessible, and train people before they first touch a hazardous substance.

That chain is sometimes called the "right-to-know" framework, and the GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals) is the international standard it's built on. OSHA aligned its HazCom standard with GHS in 2012. That's why chemical labels today carry pictograms and signal words like "Danger" and "Warning."^[1]

Hazard communication lands near the top of OSHA's citation list almost every year. In federal fiscal year 2024, it ranked second, with more than 2,800 violations issued.^[2] That number tells you two things: how many workplaces still get this wrong, and how hard inspectors look for it.

Which employers does the HazCom standard apply to?

Nearly every employer in every industry. 29 CFR 1910.1200(b) says the standard applies to any employer whose workers may be exposed to hazardous chemicals under normal conditions of use or in a foreseeable emergency.^[1]

Construction has its own parallel rule at 29 CFR 1926.59, which references 1910.1200 in full. Maritime uses 29 CFR 1915.99 and 1917.28. The same basic requirements follow chemicals across almost every sector OSHA covers.

The standard carves out a few narrow exemptions. Hazardous waste regulated under RCRA has separate rules. Tobacco products, wood products where the wood itself is the hazard, foods and drugs regulated by FDA in the retail setting, consumer products used the way a household consumer would use them, and some nuisance dust categories have limited or no coverage.^[1] Those exemptions are genuinely narrow. If you're unsure whether your product qualifies, assume it doesn't.

Small business owners sometimes think HazCom only matters for chemical plants and factories. Wrong. A small auto body shop, a restaurant cleaning crew, a landscaping company using pesticides, a dental office handling disinfectants: all of them have HazCom obligations the moment a worker could be exposed.

You can read more about how OSHA's rules fit together in our hazard communication overview.

What are the three main pillars of hazard communication?

OSHA builds HazCom around three required elements. Miss any one and you have a citable violation.

1. Labels on containers

Every container of a hazardous chemical needs a label with six pieces of information: a product identifier, signal word ("Danger" or "Warning"), hazard statement(s), precautionary statement(s), pictogram(s), and the supplier's name and contact information.^[1] You cannot remove or deface these labels. If you transfer a chemical to a portable container for immediate use that same shift, you may not need a full label. But the moment that container leaves your hand or sits overnight, it needs one.

2. Safety Data Sheets

SDSs are the technical core of HazCom. They follow a standardized 16-section format under GHS. Section 1 identifies the product and supplier. Section 2 lists the hazards. Sections 4 through 6 cover first aid, fire fighting, and accidental release. Section 8 spells out exposure limits and required PPE. Section 11 goes deep on toxicology. You must have an SDS for every hazardous chemical in the workplace and make them accessible to workers on every shift, with no barriers.^[1]

Accessible means genuinely accessible. Paper binders locked in a manager's office at night fail this. Electronic systems are fine as long as workers know how to use them and there's a backup for outages.

3. Employee training

Workers must be trained before they first work with or around a hazardous chemical. The training has to cover how to read labels and SDSs, what the specific chemicals in their work area can do to them, and what protective measures exist.^[1] Generic "chemicals are dangerous" talks don't cut it. OSHA expects chemical-specific awareness.

For more on building your training program, see our guide to osha training.

What information does a Safety Data Sheet contain?

The SDS is the document workers and emergency responders reach for when something goes wrong. OSHA mandates a 16-section structure, and every section has a defined purpose.^[1]

Section	Title	What it tells you
1	Identification	Product name, supplier, emergency phone
2	Hazard(s) identification	GHS classification, signal word, pictograms
3	Composition/ingredients	Chemical identity, CAS numbers, concentration ranges
4	First-aid measures	What to do for inhalation, skin, eye, ingestion exposure
5	Fire-fighting measures	Suitable extinguishing media, specific hazards from combustion
6	Accidental release measures	Spill cleanup, containment
7	Handling and storage	Safe handling practices, incompatible storage conditions
8	Exposure controls/PPE	OSHA PELs, ACGIH TLVs, required PPE
9	Physical and chemical properties	Flashpoint, vapor pressure, pH, etc.
10	Stability and reactivity	Conditions to avoid, hazardous decomposition products
11	Toxicological information	Routes of exposure, acute and chronic health effects
12	Ecological information	Environmental impact (informational only under current OSHA rules)
13	Disposal considerations	Waste disposal methods
14	Transport information	DOT, IATA, IMDG classifications
15	Regulatory information	Other applicable regulations
16	Other information	Revision date, key changes

Section 8 earns extra attention. It's where you find OSHA's Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) and the ACGIH Threshold Limit Values for the substance. Those numbers tell you when engineering controls or respirators become legally required. If you're building a written safety program, Section 8 data feeds straight into your PPE assessments.

For a worked example of what a real SDS looks like for a common industrial chemical, see our breakdown of the hcl safety data sheet.

What do the GHS pictograms on chemical labels mean?

GHS uses nine standardized pictograms, each a black symbol inside a red diamond border. Each one flags a specific category of hazard at a glance, even when a worker can't read the label's language.^[3]

Flame: Flammable gases, liquids, solids, self-reactives, pyrophorics, self-heating substances.

Flame over circle: Oxidizers. These intensify fire but don't burn by themselves.

Exploding bomb: Explosives, self-reactives, organic peroxides.

Skull and crossbones: Acute toxicity (severe), categories 1 through 3. This one means a small amount can kill.

Exclamation mark: Acute toxicity (category 4), skin/eye irritation, skin sensitizers, respiratory tract irritation, narcotic effects, hazardous to the ozone layer. The "this will hurt you but probably not kill you right away" symbol.

Corrosion: Skin corrosion, eye damage, corrosive to metals.

Health hazard: Carcinogens, respiratory sensitizers, reproductive toxins, target organ toxins, mutagens, aspiration hazards. This is the one workers should take most seriously for long-term health.

Gas cylinder: Gases under pressure, including compressed, liquefied, dissolved, and refrigerated gases.

Environment: Aquatic toxicity. OSHA doesn't formally regulate this category, but manufacturers include it.

A label can carry several pictograms. A flammable solvent that's also a carcinogen shows both the flame and the health hazard symbol. Every pictogram on a label is additive. Each one is a separate set of precautions, and workers need to read all of them.

What has to go in a written hazard communication program?

29 CFR 1910.1200(e) requires every covered employer to have a written HazCom program. This is not optional, even for a two-person shop. The rule says the program must describe how the employer will meet each part of the standard.^[1]

At minimum, the written program has to include:

• How you'll make sure containers are labeled, and what you'll do about unlabeled containers you receive.
• How you'll get, maintain, and provide access to SDSs for every hazardous chemical in the workplace.
• How you'll train employees: when (before initial exposure), what topics the training covers, and how you'll handle new chemical hazards introduced after initial training.
• A list of all hazardous chemicals present in each work area, by the identity used on the SDS. This chemical inventory is the part employers forget most.

The program also has to describe how you'll communicate hazards to contractors whose workers may be exposed to your chemicals. If you hire a cleaning crew, an HVAC contractor, or anyone else who'll come into contact with chemicals in your facility, you have a duty to share SDS information and any relevant hazards with their employer.^[1]

If you'd rather not build the written program from scratch, SafetyFolio's safety program generator walks through HazCom requirements in about 15 minutes and produces a document you can hand to an OSHA inspector.

The written program has to be available to workers, their designated representatives, and OSHA on request. Keep it somewhere workers can find it without asking a manager.

What training does OSHA require for hazard communication?

Training requirements live at 29 CFR 1910.1200(h). Workers must be trained at the time of their initial assignment to a work area with hazardous chemicals, and again whenever a new hazard is introduced.^[1]

The training must cover:

• The requirements of the HazCom standard and where workers can get the written program and SDSs.
• Any operations in the worker's area where hazardous chemicals are present.
• The location and availability of the written program, chemical list, and SDSs.
• Methods to detect the presence or release of hazardous chemicals (visual signs, odor, monitoring alarms).
• Physical, health, and environmental hazards of the chemicals in the work area.
• How to protect against those hazards: engineering controls, work practices, PPE.
• How to read and use labels and SDSs.

OSHA sets no minimum number of hours and no required format. Classroom, online, toolbox talk, one-on-one: all work as long as the content is there and the worker actually understands it. That last part matters. An OSHA compliance officer will ask workers questions. If they can't explain what the skull and crossbones means or where the SDSs live, the training was deficient no matter what your sign-in sheet says.

Keep training records. OSHA doesn't set a specific retention period for HazCom training records under the general industry rule, but if you're cited and you have no records, you've already lost the argument. Most safety professionals keep training records for at least three years, matching other OSHA record-retention standards.

For a broader look at how OSHA training obligations stack up, our osha 30 guide covers the framework supervisors need to know.

How does hazard communication connect to other OSHA standards?

HazCom doesn't stand alone. It feeds almost every other chemical-related standard OSHA enforces.

Respiratory protection (29 CFR 1910.134) runs on HazCom data. SDS Section 8 tells you whether a PEL has been set for a substance and what type of respirator the manufacturer recommends. You can't write a compliant respiratory protection program without SDS information.

Process Safety Management (29 CFR 1910.119) applies to facilities with highly hazardous chemicals above threshold quantities. HazCom is the baseline; PSM is what you layer on top for high-risk processes. Lockout/tagout (29 CFR 1910.147) deals with hazardous energy, and chemical hazards intersect with LOTO whenever you isolate equipment that handles reactive or toxic substances. See our lockout tagout guide for how these overlap.

Personal protective equipment (29 CFR 1910.132) requires a written hazard assessment. SDS Section 8 is a primary input to that assessment. If the SDS calls for chemical-resistant gloves and you skip them, you've violated both HazCom and the PPE standard.

BLS injury data shows chemical exposures and burns account for tens of thousands of workplace injuries every year, many in industries that handle chemicals incidentally rather than as their main business.^[4] That's the population HazCom is trying to protect: the worker at a small manufacturer who touches a parts cleaner once a day and doesn't think of himself as a "chemical worker."

Recordkeeping under 29 CFR 1904 is another connection. If a worker is injured by chemical exposure, that goes on the 300 Log. A well-kept SDS file is your evidence that you took the hazard seriously before the injury. See our guide to incident report requirements.

What are the most common HazCom violations OSHA cites?

OSHA's inspection data and citation summaries point to the same handful of problems year after year.^[2]

Missing or incomplete SDSs. Employers either don't have SDSs for every chemical they use, or they keep outdated Material Safety Data Sheets (the old 8-section MSDS format) that were never updated to the 16-section GHS SDS format. The GHS deadline was June 1, 2016, for most employers. Old-format sheets are a violation today.

Labels removed or defaced. Secondary containers, especially spray bottles and small transfer containers, lose their labels constantly. Workers peel them off, moisture knocks them off, or the container gets refilled with something else. Every container needs a label that reflects what's actually inside.

No written program. A straightforward paperwork violation, and it comes with a fine. Inspectors ask for the written program early. If you can't produce one, expect a citation.

Weak training records. Saying you trained workers isn't enough. OSHA wants written documentation of who was trained, on what date, on which topics, and which chemicals.

No chemical inventory. The written program has to include a list of hazardous chemicals by work area. Plenty of employers write the program and forget the list.

Inaccessible SDSs. Electronic systems locked behind a supervisor-only password, or paper binders in a locked room, fail the "readily accessible" standard.

OSHA issues both serious and other-than-serious citations for HazCom. Serious citations currently run up to $16,550 per violation; willful or repeated violations can reach $165,514 per violation, with both figures indexed annually to inflation.^[5]

How is HazCom being updated and what changes should employers watch for?

OSHA published a final rule updating the Hazard Communication Standard on May 20, 2024, aligning it with the 7th revised edition of GHS.^[6] This is the biggest revision since the 2012 GHS alignment.

Key changes in the 2024 rule:

New or revised hazard classifications. Flammable gases now have two sub-categories. Aerosols get expanded classification criteria. Desensitized explosives are a new category. Chemicals under pressure get their own hazard class.

Concentration range flexibility. Manufacturers can express concentration ranges differently on SDSs under certain conditions, addressing a long-running industry concern about protecting proprietary formulations.

Revised label requirements. Small containers get more flexibility on how label information is presented when there isn't room for a full label.

Revised SDS content. Some sections have updated requirements to match the GHS 7th edition changes.

Compliance deadlines are phased. Manufacturers and importers must meet the new classification and labeling requirements first, and downstream employers get additional time after that. Exact dates depend on the provision. The Federal Register entry for the final rule is the authoritative source.^[6]

Here's the practical read for a small business owner. If you're a downstream user rather than a manufacturer, you don't need to scramble on most of these changes. Watch for updated SDSs from your suppliers as they arrive over the next couple of years, and make sure your written program reflects the current standard's language.

How does a small business actually build a HazCom program without a consultant?

You don't need a consultant for this. The standard is detailed, but the tasks are manageable.

Start with your chemical inventory. Walk every work area and write down every chemical product in use. Check the storage room, the cleaning closet, the maintenance bay, the break room if cleaning products live there. Pull the SDS for each one from the manufacturer's website.

Next, write the program. OSHA's own site has a model HazCom program you can adapt.^[7] It's plain language and it covers every required element. If you want it faster, SafetyFolio's safety program generator produces a completed, site-specific HazCom program in roughly 15 minutes by walking you through your chemicals, work areas, and training approach.

Then audit your containers. Pull every container in every work area and check that the label is legible and matches what's inside. Relabel any unlabeled secondary containers.

Build your SDS binder or electronic library. Every SDS should be findable by product name. Tell workers where it is on day one.

Train before exposure. For new hires, HazCom training should happen before the first shift, not at the end of week one after they've already been mixing cleaning chemicals. Document it with a sign-in sheet and a short outline of topics covered.

Review annually and whenever you add a new chemical. That review doesn't have to be elaborate. Check that every chemical in the inventory has a current SDS, that labels are intact, and that anyone hired since the last training has been trained.

For employers with more complex chemical environments, OSHA's free On-Site Consultation program (separate from enforcement) can help without triggering an inspection.^[8]

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of hazard communication?

Hazard communication exists to make sure workers know what hazardous chemicals they're working with and what those chemicals can do to them. The goal is to prevent chemical-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths by creating a structured flow of hazard information from chemical manufacturers all the way to the individual worker. OSHA's rule at 29 CFR 1910.1200 mandates that flow through labels, Safety Data Sheets, and training.

Does hazard communication apply to small businesses?

Yes. There's no small-business exemption in 29 CFR 1910.1200. Any employer whose workers may be exposed to hazardous chemicals, regardless of company size, must have a written HazCom program, maintain SDSs, keep labels on containers, and train workers. A two-person shop that uses a commercial degreaser has HazCom obligations.

What is the difference between an SDS and an MSDS?

An MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) was the old 8-section format used before OSHA aligned HazCom with GHS in 2012. An SDS (Safety Data Sheet) is the current 16-section standardized format. The content requirements changed significantly, and the deadline for manufacturers to switch to SDS format was June 1, 2016. Old-format MSDS sheets in your workplace don't meet current OSHA requirements.

What does the skull and crossbones pictogram mean on a chemical label?

The skull and crossbones GHS pictogram indicates acute toxicity in categories 1, 2, or 3, meaning a relatively small amount can cause death or serious injury. It appears on chemicals that are toxic or highly toxic through inhalation, skin absorption, or ingestion. It's different from the exclamation mark, which indicates less severe acute toxicity (category 4) or irritation.

How often does HazCom training need to be repeated?

OSHA's 1910.1200(h) requires training before initial assignment to an area with hazardous chemicals, and again when a new physical or health hazard is introduced that workers haven't been trained on. There's no mandatory annual retraining interval in the standard itself, though many employers run annual refreshers as a best practice and to stay sharp before a potential inspection.

Do I need a written HazCom program even if I only use a few chemicals?

Yes. 29 CFR 1910.1200(e) requires a written program for any covered employer, with no minimum-quantity threshold. The complexity can scale with your chemical inventory, but you need something in writing. At minimum it must describe your labeling approach, SDS management, training process, and include a chemical inventory list.

What chemicals are exempt from hazard communication requirements?

29 CFR 1910.1200(b) lists several exemptions: hazardous waste under RCRA, tobacco products, wood and wood products (where wood itself is the hazard), foods, drugs, and cosmetics in retail settings when used the same way as consumers, consumer products used in the same duration and frequency as household use, and ionizing and nonionizing radiation. These exemptions are narrow. If you're uncertain, treat the chemical as covered.

Can I keep Safety Data Sheets electronically instead of in a paper binder?

Yes, electronic SDS systems are acceptable. OSHA requires that SDSs be "readily accessible" to workers in their work area during each shift. An electronic system works if workers can reach it without supervisor involvement, know how to use it, and there's a backup plan for computer or power outages. A system that requires a password only managers know fails the accessibility requirement.

What are the fines for violating OSHA's hazard communication standard?

OSHA's penalty structure sets serious violation fines up to $16,550 per violation and willful or repeated violations up to $165,514 per violation, with both figures adjusted annually for inflation. Hazard communication is OSHA's second most-cited standard, so inspectors actively look for it. Multiple labeling or SDS violations in one inspection can add up fast.

What changed in OSHA's 2024 HazCom update?

OSHA published a final rule on May 20, 2024, aligning HazCom with GHS Revision 7. Key changes include new sub-categories for flammable gases, expanded aerosol classification criteria, a new desensitized explosives hazard class, chemicals under pressure as a new category, and some label flexibility for small containers. Most changes primarily affect chemical manufacturers and importers, with downstream employers given additional compliance time.

Who is responsible for writing Safety Data Sheets?

Chemical manufacturers and importers are responsible for creating SDSs under 29 CFR 1910.1200(g). They must ensure an SDS is available for each hazardous chemical they produce or import. Employers who buy and use those chemicals are responsible for obtaining SDSs, keeping them current, and making them accessible to workers. Employers don't write SDSs from scratch unless they manufacture chemicals themselves.

Does hazard communication cover biological hazards?

Generally no. OSHA's HazCom standard at 1910.1200 focuses on chemical hazards. Biological hazards like bloodborne pathogens are covered under a separate OSHA standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030. Some chemicals with biocidal properties (disinfectants, for example) are covered by HazCom. But exposure to bacteria, viruses, or other biological agents falls under different regulatory frameworks.

What do I do when I receive a chemical with no SDS?

Request one from the manufacturer or supplier immediately. Under 29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(6), distributors must provide SDSs with initial shipments and when an SDS changes. If you request an SDS and don't get one, document the request. If a supplier repeatedly fails to provide SDSs, consider switching suppliers. Workers should not use an uncharacterized hazardous chemical without SDS information.

How does hazard communication relate to contractor safety?

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(2) requires employers to make SDSs available to contractors whose workers may be exposed to chemicals on site, and to inform them of any hazards they may encounter. Contractors must also tell the host employer about chemicals they bring in. This two-way exchange usually happens through pre-work safety meetings or contractor orientation.

Sources

1. OSHA, Hazard Communication Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200: Full requirements for labels, SDSs, written programs, and training under the HazCom standard
2. OSHA, Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards FY2024: Hazard communication was the second most-cited OSHA standard in federal FY2024 with more than 2,800 violations
3. OSHA, Hazard Communication: Pictograms: GHS pictogram definitions and hazard categories for the nine standardized symbols
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities (IIF) Program: Chemical exposures and burns account for tens of thousands of workplace injuries annually
5. OSHA, Penalties: Serious violation maximum $16,550 per violation; willful or repeated maximum $165,514 per violation, adjusted annually
6. Federal Register, OSHA Hazard Communication Standard Final Rule, May 20, 2024 (89 FR 44144): OSHA's 2024 final rule updated HazCom to align with GHS Revision 7, adding new hazard categories and revised labeling requirements
7. OSHA, Small Business Handbook and compliance assistance resources: OSHA provides model programs and plain-language compliance guidance small employers can adapt, including for HazCom
8. OSHA, On-Site Consultation Program: OSHA's free consultation program is separate from enforcement and does not trigger inspections
9. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Globally Harmonized System (GHS): GHS is the international basis for chemical classification, labeling, and the 16-section SDS format