Hazard Communication (HazCom) is the OSHA standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, that requires chemical manufacturers and importers to classify chemical hazards and requires employers to tell workers about those hazards. Workers learn about hazardous chemicals through container labels, safety data sheets (SDSs), training and a written hazard communication program.
HazCom is often called the "right to know" standard. It applies to almost every workplace where employees could be exposed to hazardous chemicals under normal use or in a foreseeable emergency, from manufacturing plants to auto shops, hospitals and construction sites.
What Is Hazard Communication (HazCom)?
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) states its purpose as ensuring that the hazards of all chemicals produced or imported are classified, and that information about those hazards is transmitted to employers and employees. The standard does this through a chain of responsibility that starts with the chemical supplier and ends with the worker using the product.
Chemical manufacturers and importers evaluate each chemical they produce or import and classify its physical and health hazards. They then create labels and SDSs that travel with the product. Distributors pass that information along. Employers who use the chemicals must keep the information accessible, label workplace containers, and train employees so they understand the hazards and how to protect themselves.
The standard covers general industry, and the same requirements apply in construction through 29 CFR 1926.59. Since 2012, HazCom has been aligned with the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), which standardized hazard classes, label elements and the 16-section SDS format.
Why HazCom Matters
Many workplace chemicals can cause burns, respiratory illness, cancer, fires or explosions. Workers cannot protect themselves from a hazard they do not know about. HazCom gives them consistent information in a predictable format, so a worker who sees a flame pictogram or the signal word "Danger" understands the message regardless of which supplier made the product.
For employers, a working HazCom program supports other safety activities. Accurate SDSs feed exposure assessments in industrial hygiene, guide the selection of personal protective equipment, and inform spill response and emergency planning. Gaps in labeling, SDS access or training are also among the easiest violations for an inspector to spot during a walk-through.
Key Requirements of the HazCom Standard
Employers that use hazardous chemicals must meet five core requirements.
1. Written Hazard Communication Program
Each workplace needs a written program that describes how the employer will meet the labeling, SDS and training requirements. It must include a list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present, using a product identifier that matches the SDS. The program must also explain how employees will be informed about hazards of non-routine tasks and how information is shared with contractors on multi-employer sites.
2. Labels and Other Forms of Warning
Shipped containers must carry a label with six elements:
- Product identifier
- Signal word ("Danger" or "Warning")
- Hazard statements
- Pictograms
- Precautionary statements
- Name, address and phone number of the manufacturer, importer or other responsible party
Workplace containers may use the full shipped label or a workplace label that shows the product identifier and general hazard information. Employers may use alternative workplace labeling systems, such as color-coded rating systems, as long as employees can still get the specific hazard information they need.
3. Safety Data Sheets
Employers must keep a safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical and make it readily accessible to employees in their work area during each work shift. SDSs follow a standard 16-section format covering identification, hazards, composition, first aid, firefighting, accidental release, handling and storage, exposure controls and PPE, physical properties, stability, toxicology and more. Electronic access is acceptable if there are no barriers to immediate access.
4. Employee Information and Training
Employees must receive training at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new chemical hazard is introduced into their work area. Training must cover the requirements of the standard, where hazardous chemicals are present, how to detect releases, the physical and health hazards, protective measures, and how to read labels and SDSs. Training must be presented in a manner and vocabulary that employees understand.
5. Hazard Classification
Classification is primarily the responsibility of chemical manufacturers and importers. Employers that only use chemicals may rely on the supplier's classification, but they need to recognize when a label or SDS is missing or appears inaccurate and request a corrected version.
The 2024 HazCom Update and Compliance Dates
OSHA published a final rule updating the standard on May 20, 2024, effective July 19, 2024. The update aligned HazCom more closely with Revision 7 of the GHS and added provisions on topics such as labeling of small containers, labels on containers released for shipment, and trade secret claims.
In January 2026, OSHA extended the compliance dates by four months. Under the revised schedule in 1910.1200(j):
- Substances: manufacturers, importers and distributors by May 19, 2026; employers by November 20, 2026, including updating workplace labeling and hazard communication programs and providing any additional training for newly identified hazards.
- Mixtures: manufacturers, importers and distributors by November 19, 2027; employers by May 19, 2028.
Until those dates, the standard allows compliance with either the 2012 version, the 2024 version, or both. Check the current regulatory text before finalizing your plan, since compliance dates can change.
How to Implement a HazCom Program Step by Step
- Inventory your chemicals. Walk every area, including maintenance shops, storage rooms and janitorial closets, and list each hazardous product by the identifier on its label.
- Collect current SDSs. Match one SDS to every product on the inventory. Request missing or outdated SDSs from suppliers and remove products you no longer use.
- Check and fix labels. Confirm shipped containers are labeled correctly. Set a rule for secondary containers, such as spray bottles and transfer cans, so they always carry a workplace label.
- Write the program. Document who is responsible for each element, how labels and SDSs are managed, how training is delivered, and how contractors are informed.
- Train employees. Deliver initial training, then targeted training whenever a new hazard enters a work area or a classification changes.
- Review regularly. Reconcile the inventory against SDSs on a set schedule, audit labeling during inspections, and update the program when processes or products change.
HazCom vs. HAZWOPER
HazCom and HAZWOPER are often confused because both deal with hazardous substances. HazCom covers the everyday use, storage and handling of hazardous chemicals in normal operations. HAZWOPER (29 CFR 1910.120) covers hazardous waste site cleanup, treatment, storage and disposal facilities, and emergency response to uncontrolled releases. Most workplaces need a HazCom program. Only those whose employees perform the specific operations covered by 1910.120 need HAZWOPER training.
Common HazCom Mistakes to Avoid
- Unlabeled secondary containers. A worker fills a spray bottle and leaves it with no identifier, so the next person cannot tell what it contains.
- Inventory and SDS mismatch. Product names on the chemical list do not match the SDS, or SDSs exist for products no longer on site while new products have none.
- Locked or offline SDS access. SDSs are kept in a supervisor's office or on a system that night-shift employees cannot reach.
- One-time training. Employees were trained at hire but never again, even after new chemicals or classifications were introduced.
- Ignoring non-routine tasks. Tank cleaning or line breaking exposes workers to hazards that routine training does not address.
- Forgetting contractors. Contractors bring their own chemicals and are exposed to yours. The written program must explain how information is exchanged.
How SMS360 Helps
The SMS360 Safety Data Sheets module gives teams one place to store and organize SDSs and keep a chemical inventory tied to each location. Employees can look up SDSs from a mobile device during their shift, and administrators can track which records need review. Combined with training records and reminders, this helps safety managers keep labeling, SDS access and HazCom documentation organized for audits and inspections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main elements of a HazCom program?
A HazCom program has five core elements: hazard classification by the chemical manufacturer or importer, a written hazard communication program with a chemical inventory, labels on shipped and workplace containers, safety data sheets readily accessible during each shift, and employee information and training. Employers that only use chemicals focus mostly on the program, labels, SDS access and training, while relying on suppliers for classification.
How often is HazCom training required?
OSHA requires HazCom training at the time of an employee's initial assignment and whenever a new chemical hazard is introduced into the work area. The standard does not set a fixed annual refresher, but many employers schedule periodic refreshers to keep knowledge current. Training is also needed when the 2024 update changes the classification of chemicals employees work with.
Is HazCom the same as GHS?
No. GHS is a United Nations framework for classifying chemicals and communicating hazards. HazCom is the US regulation enforced by OSHA. Since 2012, HazCom has adopted GHS elements such as standardized pictograms, signal words, hazard statements and the 16-section SDS format, and the 2024 update aligned it with GHS Revision 7. OSHA did not adopt every GHS hazard class.
Do small businesses need a written HazCom program?
Yes. Any employer whose employees may be exposed to hazardous chemicals must have a written program, regardless of company size. For a small shop, the program can be short, but it still needs a chemical inventory and must explain how labeling, SDS access and training are handled. Consumer products used in the same way and frequency as a typical consumer may be exempt.
When must employers comply with the 2024 HazCom update?
After OSHA's four-month extension in January 2026, employers must update workplace labels, programs and training for reclassified substances by November 20, 2026. The employer deadline for mixtures is May 19, 2028. Chemical manufacturers, importers and distributors had earlier dates for updating their SDSs and labels. Until each date, either the 2012 or 2024 rules may be followed.
