HazCom Guide

Master the latest Hazard Communication standards and

build your own HazCom plan
Contents
Introduction 4

How HazCom Works 6

Creating a GHS Compliant Label 7

GHS Pictograms 8

Safety Data Sheets (SDS's) 10

Six Steps To An Effective HazCom Program 11

Sample HazCom Plan 14

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Introduction
No matter what line of work you’re in, there are chemicals all
around you, working to make your job easier, more effective, or less
dangerous. Refrigerants keep food from spoiling, bleach is a very
effective cleaner, and petroleum products are used in everything
from lubricants to insulation to heating. These are just a few
examples of chemicals most people are likely to be familiar with,
but they each demonstrate a crucial point: Though common and
practical, the chemicals in use all around us are often caustic,
hazardous, or toxic.

Hoping to reduce the frequency of accidents and injuries caused

by such chemicals, OSHA developed the Hazard Communication
Standard (HCS or HazCom).

First adopted in 1983 and significantly expanded and

revised in the years since, the Hazard Communication
Standard seeks to establish a clear set of rules for
how chemicals are stored and labeled, and in doing
so, reduce accidents and cut costs resulting

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from lacking or misleading information. To that
end, HCS was revised in 2012 to align more
closely with the United Nation’s Globally
Harmonized System of Classification (GHS).

GHS aims to standardize labeling and

classification of hazardous chemicals
between countries to facilitate safe shipping
and use of chemicals across international
borders. Prior to the introduction of GHS
in 2003, each country used its own labeling

Introduction creativesafetysupply.com/hazcom
standard, which made importing and exporting chemicals
unnecessarily dangerous, time consuming, and costly.

U.S. workplaces were required to implement HazCom’s 2012

updates by June 1, 2016. These updates include several important
aspects of communicating about hazardous chemicals, as well as
instructions on the proper deployment of Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
-- formerly known as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) -- that
include specific, detailed information about a chemical, its hazards,
and relevant first aid measures. These new formatting requirements
make it easier for people to determine how to safely work with a
chemical, and the results speak for themselves.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there has been

a 42% drop in injuries and illness caused by workplace chemical
exposure since HazCom was first introduced.

According to OSHA, improper

Hazard Communication was
the second-most common
“serious violation” in 2016,
resulting in over $3 million
in penalties. Serious violations
are defined as any violation of
OSHA guidelines with significant
probability to cause death or
serious physical harm which
employers either knew of or
should have known about.

Source: OSHA
www.osha.gov/Top_Ten_Standards.html

Introduction creativesafetysupply.com/hazcom
How HazCom Works
The goal of HazCom is to provide clear, unmistakable information
about chemical hazards to anyone who might be working with or
near those chemicals. This is accomplished in three stages.

MANUFACTURERS & IMPORTERS

At the point of SHIPPING

1 Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to classify the hazards
of the chemicals they’re producing or shipping with labels and safety data
sheets based on accepted GHS standards.

EMPLOYERS

At the point of IMPLEMENTATION

2
Employers receive labeled chemical containers and safety data sheets,
at which point it is their responsibility to create a written hazard
communication program that details all hazardous chemicals found
throughout the workplace.

During routine MAINTENANCE

3 Labels and safety data sheets should be maintained and updated as

necessary, while workers are trained on the latest hazardous chemical
data and protective measures.

How HazCom Works creativesafetysupply.com/hazcom

Creating A GHS Compliant
Label
1. Product Name or Identifier: This
states the chemical’s name in bold,
unmistakable text that’s immediately
apparent to anyone viewing the label.
2. Signal Word: Using either “warning”
or the more severe “danger,” a label’s
signal word indicates the level of
hazard a chemical poses to people and
the environment.
3. Hazard Pictograms: Simple,
straightforward illustrations offer clear
information on the hazard contained
within, even without reading the
attached text.
Creating a GHS Compliant Label
4. Hazard Statements: A more detailed
text-based explanation of a chemical’s
hazards that explains how and why the
chemical poses a risk to people and the
environment.
5. Precautionary Statements: The
precautionary statements cover best
practices to avoid accidents when
using a chemical, and briefly explain
what to do (or, more accurately,
which medical professionals should
be contacted) in the event of a fire,
unintended exposure, or other accident.
6. Contact Information: Contact
information for the chemical’s
manufacturer or distributor.
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GHS Pictograms
The most eye-catching part of a GHS-compliant label is undoubtedly
(and purposely) the pictogram. This simple illustration forcibly
grabs a viewer’s attention with stark, high-contrast colors and
distinctive images that immediately detail potential physical, health,
or environmental risks associated with the chemical in question.

There are nine pictograms commonly in use:

Exclamation Mark

Irritant (Skin & Eye), skin sensitizer, acute toxicity, narcotic

effects, and respiratory tract irritant

Gas Cylinder

Gases under pressure

Flame

Flammables, self-heating/reactives, emits flames, organic

peroxides, pyrophoric

Flame Over Circle

Oxidizers

GHS Pictograms creativesafetysupply.com/hazcom

 Corrosion

Skin corrosion, eye damage, corrosive to metals

Skull and Crossbones

Toxic or fatal toxicity

Exploding Bomb

Explosives, self-reactives, organic peroxides

Health Hazard

Carcinogen, reproductive toxicity, respiratory sensitizer,

target organ toxicity, aspiration toxicity, mutagenicity

Environment (Non-Mandatory)

Aquatic toxicity

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Safety Data Sheets (SDS's)
All of the information you’ll need to create a GHS-compliant HazCom
label can be found on a chemical’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS), which
should be shipped alongside a chemical by its manufacturer or
distributor. More detailed and standardized than the Material Safety
Data Sheets (MSDS) prescribed by OSHA regulations prior to the
2012 update, these Safety Data Sheets offer a comprehensive
explanation of a chemical’s properties, its potential hazards, and
guidelines on safe handling and storage -- there’s even information
on who to call in the event of an emergency.

For more information about

SDS sheets and how to read
them, please download our
GHS Guide at
creativesafetysupply.com/
guides

Safety Data Sheets (SDS's) creativesafetysupply.com/hazcom

Six Steps To An Effective
HazCom Program
It’s not too difficult or costly to implement an effective HazCom
program, but it does require forethought and planning. These six
steps provide a solid basis on which you can plan your own HazCom
program implementation.

1 Learn OSHA’s standards

The first step to preparing an effective HazCom program is obtaining OSHA’s

standards. These can be found at www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom. While a widespread
understanding of the standards among workers and management is encouraged,
one employee should be tasked with coordinating implementation. Having one
person ultimately responsible for these standards will help ensure implementation
continues apace, and they will be in a position to task other staff members with
secondary activities such as training.

2 Prepare a written HazCom plan

There are two purposes to preparing a written HazCom plan. First, it helps ensure
that the plan is implemented in a systematic, thoughtful fashion. Second, it allows
employers to list all hazardous chemicals known to be present in the workplace;
not only is this required by OSHA, but it also dramatically simplifies the remaining
aspects of implementation.

Six Steps to An Effective HazCom Program creativesafetysupply.com/hazcom

 3 Ensure chemical containers have been labeled

As the name suggests, this step involves labeling all chemicals in the workplace.
You may use the existing labels sent to you by the chemicals’ manufacturer or
distributor, or you can use a third-party labeling system such as the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) or Hazardous Materials Identification System
(HMIS) to identify alternative hazards alongside those included in the GHS labeling
standard. Regardless of which labeling standard you choose, the goal should be
providing employees with all of the information they’ll need to make smart, safe
choices when working with and near a chemical.

4 Maintain and update SDS's as necessary

Safety Data Sheets are a one-stop shop for everything you’d ever need to know
about a chemical, which is why it’s crucial that they be kept up to date and that
they’re readily available for employees at all times. This means that if you use
electronic means to distribute Safety Data Sheets, there must also be a physical,
hard copy of each sheet available as well in case of computer malfunction.
As there’s no single solution on how best to store Safety Data Sheets, each
organization will need to devise a plan to suit their facilities and unique needs.

5 Educate Employees

Informed employees make responsible decisions, which is why this step may be
the most important of all. Employees should be rigorously trained on all of the
chemicals they may come into contact with both before given an assignment and
whenever new chemicals or hazards are introduced. A properly trained employee
will be aware of OSHA’s HazCom standards, they will know of the hazards posed
by each of the chemicals in their work area, and they’ll have no trouble finding and
utilizing appropriate protective gear.

Six Steps to An Effective HazCom Program creativesafetysupply.com/hazcom

 6 Evaluate and tweak your program as necessary

Once a HazCom program has been established, it’s helpful to periodically evaluate
and revise the program as necessary to ensure it remains effective and that the
program is meeting its goals. OSHA’s HazCom guidelines don’t strictly require
this kind of proactive program maintenance, but an ongoing effort to tweak the
program as necessary is the best way to ensure your HazCom program remains
potent and applicable to your organization’s needs.

Six Steps to An Effective HazCom Program creativesafetysupply.com/hazcom

Sample HazCom Plan
The following section contains a comprehensive template of a
HazCom plan designed to give you a pragmatic example of how you
could potentially construct your own plan. We don’t recommend
copying the sample verbatim, as each business is unique and will
require a HazCom plan that speaks to its distinct purpose, but this
should help to get your plan moving in the right direction.

Continued on following pages 

Sample HazCom Plan creativesafetysupply.com/hazcom

Written Hazard Communication Plan - [CompanyXYZ] (Last Updated [04/25/17])

At [CompanyXYZ], we are committed to preventing accidents and ensuring that our

employees remain healthy and safe while on the job. We strive to follow all applicable
federal and state health and safety regulations, and to provide an environment free of
unexpected hazards for all our employees. This written hazard communication plan
serves as a primer on those efforts, and is available for review by all employees at the
following location: [location].

Identifying Hazardous Chemicals

Attached to this document is a list of all hazardous chemicals used and/or stored
within this workplace. (*Be sure to attach comprehensive list!) Detailed information
about the hazards posed by each chemical can be found on its Safety Data Sheet
(SDS). Safety Data Sheets are stored at [location] and are updated as necessary by
[employee name/job title].

Hazardous Chemical Containers

All hazardous chemical containers used in this workplace will either feature the
original manufacturer’s label -- that label includes a product identifier, an appropriate
signal word, hazard statement(s), pictogram(s), precautionary statement(s), and the
name, address, and telephone number of the chemical’s manufacturer, importer,
or other responsible party -- or a custom label with the appropriate label elements
described above.

[employee name/job title] will ensure that all containers are properly labeled. No
container may be used or transported until this information is attached and verified.
Workplace labels must be legible and in English. When possible, information in other
languages will be available at [location].

Sample HazCom Plan creativesafetysupply.com/hazcom

Safety Data Sheets

Safety Data Sheets are readily available for review by all employees at [location]. (If
SDS’ are stored electronically, include information on how to access it, including any
usernames and passwords required.)

All Safety Data Sheets for this workplace are updated and managed by [employee
name/job title]. If a Safety Data Sheet is not available for a hazardous chemical,
employees can obtain the required information by calling [employee name/job title].

Employee Training

Before they start working, employees must attend a hazard communication training
seminar that covers the following:

• An overview of the requirements of OSHA’s hazard communication rules.

• Hazardous chemicals present in the workplace.
• Any operations in an employee’s work area where hazardous chemicals may be
used.
• The location of this written hazard communication plan.
• A primer on how to read Safety Data Sheets.
• Physical and health hazards of the chemicals present in work areas.
• Methods used to detect the presence or release of hazardous chemicals in the
work area.
• Steps [business] has taken to prevent or reduce exposure to these chemicals.
• Best practices for protecting one’s self from exposure using personal protective
equipment.
• An explanation of any special labeling found in the workplace.
• Emergency procedures to protect employees in the event of a dangerous
exposure.

Sample HazCom Plan creativesafetysupply.com/hazcom

[employee name/job title] is responsible for ensuring that all employees receive this
training. After attending the training, employees will sign a form confirming their
understanding of all the topics discussed.

Non-routine Tasks

Any time an employee is asked to perform a task that is not within the scope of
their usual responsibilities, their supervisors will inform them about any hazardous
chemicals they may encounter. This includes information on what to do in case of
accidental exposure, and what to do in case of an emergency. [business] will inspect
all potential job activities, even non-routine tasks, and provide appropriate safety
guidelines and personal protective equipment.

Non-routine tasks in which employees may encounter hazardous chemicals include

the following:

[examples of non-routine tasks]

Non-routine Tasks

At [business], we follow the labeling requirements outlined in [local OSHA regulation

number; for example, in Oregon this would be “OAR 437-002-0378”] concerning the
labeling of pipes. Before working near pipes containing hazardous chemicals, or near
pipes insulated with asbestos-containing material, employees must contact [employee
name/job title] for the following information:

• The chemicals contained within the pipes.

• Any physical or health hazards of the chemicals in the pipes.
• All safe work practices necessary to avoid exposure.

Sample HazCom Plan creativesafetysupply.com/hazcom

Contractors and Other Employees

If employees of other businesses may be exposed to hazardous chemicals at our

workplace (for example, employees of a construction contractor working on-site)
it is the responsibility of [employee name/job title] to provide contractors and their
employees with the identity of all chemicals they may come into contact with,
information on how to read any Safety Data Sheets they might find, and an explanation
of local container and pipe labeling practices. It is also recommended that contractors
and their employees be fully briefed on best practices for avoiding exposure, and what
to do in case of an emergency.

[employee name/job title] will also obtain a Safety Data Sheet for any hazardous
chemical a contractor brings into the workplace.

Sample HazCom Plan creativesafetysupply.com/hazcom

Hazardous Chemicals Present in the Workplace

Chemical Locations
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.

Sample HazCom Plan creativesafetysupply.com/hazcom

For additional information about HazCom
plus industry updates, helpful product
recommendations, and more:

creativesafetysupply.com/hazcom 

creativesafetysupply.com/hazcom
creativesafetysupply.com/tpm
You may also be interested in:

GHS GUIDE

FREE DOWNLOAD
creativesafetysupply.com/guides

This free 25-page GHS Guide simplifies GHS compliance, explaining:

• The history of GHS and its adoption by OSHA
• New hazard classifications & categories that may impact your business
• The updated format of safety data sheets (all 16 sections)
• The 6 mandatory label elements (including a helpful diagram)
• Methods for getting compliant, long-lasting labels
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