Protection under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) includes all workers exposed to hazardous chemicals in all industrial sectors. This standard is based on a simple concept - that employees have both a need and a right to know the hazards and the identities of the chemicals they are exposed to when working. They also need to know what protective measures are available to prevent adverse effects from occurring.
More than 30 million workers are potentially exposed to one or more chemical hazards. There are an estimated 650,000 existing hazardous chemical products, and hundreds of new ones are being introduced annually. This poses a serious problem for exposed workers and their employers.
The HCS established uniform requirements:
Chemical manufacturers and importers must convey the hazard information they learn from their evaluations to downstream employers by means of labels on containers and material safety data sheets (MSDS's).
All workplaces where employees are exposed to hazardous chemicals must have a written plan, which describes how the standard will be implemented in that facility. For example, the written plan must list the chemicals present at the site, indicate who is responsible for the various aspects of the program in that facility and where written materials will be made available to employees. The written program must describe how the requirements for labels and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets, and employee information and training are going to be met in the facility.
Services to assist members with their Hazard Communication Program are available by request. For more information on this and other Loss Control Programs, please contact us by e-mail at losscontrol@wctrust.com or by phone at (203) 678-0323 or fax a Service Request form to (203) 678-0323
OHSA Hazard Communication page
OSHA Model Plans for Bloodborne Pathogens and Hazard Communications Standards