What Is HazCom
HazCom is the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), a federal regulation requiring employers to classify chemical hazards, label containers, and provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to workers. HazCom ensures that anyone handling chemicals understands the specific risks and knows how to respond to exposure or emergencies.
For workplace safety managers, HazCom compliance is non-negotiable. OSHA enforces HazCom violations with penalties up to $10,434 per violation (2024 rates) for intentional breaches. For homeowners, understanding HazCom principles applies when storing pesticides, cleaning agents, paint thinners, and other chemicals at home, especially if children or vulnerable people are present.
Requirements and Scope
HazCom covers any chemical substance manufactured, imported, distributed, or used in the workplace. This includes compressed gases, flammable liquids, oxidizers, corrosives, toxic substances, and reproductive hazards. The regulation applies to employers with one or more employees who use or handle chemicals.
- Labeling: All chemical containers must display hazard classifications in standardized format with pictograms, signal words (Danger or Warning), hazard statements, and precautionary statements aligned with GHS (Globally Harmonized System) requirements.
- Safety Data Sheets: Manufacturers must provide detailed SDS for each chemical product. These 16-section documents cover hazard identification, composition, first aid measures, handling procedures, exposure controls, and emergency response protocols.
- Written Program: Employers must maintain a written HazCom program describing how hazards are communicated, including procedures for non-routine tasks and unlabeled pipes.
- Training: Employees must receive training before handling chemicals, covering where to access SDS, how to read labels, and emergency procedures specific to chemicals in their work area.
Practical Application in Safety Audits and Emergencies
During a safety audit, inspectors verify that chemical inventory matches labeling records, SDS documents are accessible (not locked in an office), and labels are legible and complete. Missing or faded labels trigger citations. OSHA inspection data shows that HazCom violations account for approximately 7-9% of all workplace violations annually.
In an emergency, clear HazCom communication saves lives. First responders rely on container labels and SDS to determine whether to use water or dry chemical extinguishers, evacuate radius, decontamination methods, and whether the chemical requires notification to environmental agencies. A chemical burn incident that could have been prevented through proper labeling becomes a recordable injury and potential workers' compensation claim.
For homeowners, the equivalent is maintaining an inventory of household chemicals, keeping containers original and labeled, storing incompatible substances separately (oxidizers away from flammables), and keeping emergency contact information visible in areas where chemicals are stored.
Common Questions
- Is a small business exempt from HazCom? No. HazCom applies to any employer with employees exposed to chemicals, regardless of company size. A three-person garage that uses degreasers and paint is covered.
- If I buy pre-labeled containers from a supplier, is my responsibility complete? No. You must ensure labels remain visible and legible throughout the product lifecycle. You're also responsible for training workers and maintaining SDS documentation in accessible locations like a binder or digital system.
- What if a chemical is received in a container without an SDS? This is a non-compliance situation. Contact the supplier immediately to obtain the SDS before the chemical is used. Don't remove the chemical from its original container or use it until documentation is available.
Related Concepts
- SDS (Safety Data Sheet) provides detailed chemical hazard information in standardized format.
- GHS (Globally Harmonized System) establishes the standardized classification and labeling system that HazCom requirements follow.