OSHA Hazard Communication

The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is OSHA's way of ensuring safety to employees who potentially come in contact with hazardous chemicals. The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is now aligned with the UN Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).

This occupational safety and health standard update is intended to address comprehensively the issue of classifying the potential hazards of chemicals, and communicating information concerning hazards and appropriate protective measures to employees.

All workplaces that use or contain hazardous chemicals or materials must have clearly displayed labels and supply safety data sheets (SDS) to all employees that come in to contact with the hazardous materials. Employers are required to train workers on the new labels elements and safety data sheets (SDS) format to facilitate recognition and understanding.

This course is designed to assist both employers and employees in learning about work hazards and how to protect themselves.

Objectives

1. Explain what constitutes a hazardous substance and the risks associated with them
2. Demonstrate an ability to recognize the presence of the hazardous materials used in the workplace.
3. Describe the use of Safety Data Sheets (SDS),
4. List the routes of entry for hazardous materials to enter the body, and of the effects that the specific chemical found at the site might have on people, property, or the environment
5. Identify the common hazard communication standard pictograms

Curriculum

Chapter 1
Introduction

• How Can Workplace Hazards be Minimized?
• What is Hazard Communication

Chapter 2
OSHA Standards

• Hazard Determination
• Labeling
• Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
• Major changes to the Hazard Communication Standard
• What information is contained in an SDS?
• Where can I find an SDS?

Chapter 3
Physical Hazards

• Fire
• Explosives
• Chemical Reactivity
• Gas Cylinder

Chapter 4
Health Hazards

• Toxicity versus Hazard
• Toxicity versus Dose
• Exposure

Chapter 5
Poisons-Corrosives-Radiation

Chapter 6
Hazard Communication Standard Pictogram

• Health Hazard
• Flame
• Exclamation Mark
• Gas Cylinder
• Corrosion
• Exploding Bomb
• Flame Over Circle
• Environment
• Skull and Crossbones

Chapter 7
Preventing Injury

• Substitution 
• Engineering Controls 
• Safe Work Practices
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Training

Chapter 8
Resources