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HazCom, or 29 CFR 1910.1200, is OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard for classifying workplace chemical hazards and communicating them through labels, pictograms, safety data sheets and employee training. It helps chemical-exposed workers understand hazards, protective measures and emergency information before exposure occurs in US workplaces.
Key facts: OSHA lists Hazard Communication as the #2 most frequently cited standard for FY2025 in its Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards page, updated April 15, 2026. The 2024 HazCom final rule was published on May 20, 2024, took effect on July 19, 2024, and aligns primarily with GHS Revision 7. OSHA extended the first HCS 2024 compliance deadline to May 19, 2026.
Chemical safety depends on more than storing products correctly. Employees need to understand what a chemical is, what harm it can cause, what precautions apply, where to find emergency information and how to use the right controls before exposure occurs.
That is the purpose of the hazard communication standard. For employers, supervisors, safety teams and HR teams, HazCom is not only a document requirement. It is a practical workplace communication system built around chemical inventories, labels, safety data sheets, worker information and training.
For wider workplace safety context, see GSA’s related guide: Workplace Safety 101: The Complete Guide to HSE Fundamentals (2026).
What Is the Hazard Communication Standard?
The Hazard Communication Standard, often called HazCom, is OSHA’s US workplace rule for communicating chemical hazards. The standard is found at 29 CFR 1910.1200, which can be searched through OSHA Law & Regulations.
In practical terms, HazCom requires chemical hazards to be identified and communicated through:
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A written hazard communication program
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A list of hazardous chemicals in the workplace
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Labels and other forms of warning
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Safety Data Sheets, or SDSs
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Employee information and training
OSHA explains on its Hazard Communication page that the standard is designed to ensure workers receive information about hazardous chemicals through labels, SDSs and training.
For learners, HazCom is the system that helps answer:
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What chemical am I working with?
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What hazards does it present?
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What do the symbols and signal words mean?
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What PPE or controls may be needed?
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What should I do during a spill, exposure or emergency?
If you are comparing safety terminology such as HSE, EHS, OHS and SHE, see HSE vs EHS vs OHS vs SHE: What Do They Mean and What’s the Difference?.
Why Is HazCom One of OSHA’s Most-Cited Standards?
Hazard Communication appears near the top of OSHA’s citation list because chemical safety can fail in several ordinary workplace situations. Problems often arise when workplaces have hazardous chemicals but employees cannot quickly understand labels, access SDSs or explain safe handling procedures.
According to OSHA’s Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards for Fiscal Year 2025, updated April 15, 2026, Hazard Communication in general industry ranked second across federal OSHA inspections. OSHA publishes the list so employers can identify and correct commonly cited hazards before an inspection.
Common HazCom weaknesses include:
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Missing or incomplete written HazCom programs
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Outdated chemical inventories
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Unlabelled secondary containers
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SDSs that are not readily accessible during the work shift
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Employees who have not been trained on workplace-specific chemical hazards
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Generic training that does not explain the chemicals actually used on site
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Poor communication with contractors, temporary workers or multi-employer worksites
These issues matter because chemical hazards are not limited to laboratories or manufacturing plants. They can appear in healthcare, cleaning, food processing, maintenance, warehousing, construction, salons, agriculture, facilities management and many office support environments.
The wider injury picture also reinforces the need for effective safety systems. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Economics Daily, March 23, 2026, reported that private industry employers recorded 2.5 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2024, with a total recordable case rate of 2.3 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers.
What Does 29 CFR 1910.1200 Require?
OSHA’s 1910.1200 requires chemical manufacturers and importers to classify chemical hazards. Employers with hazardous chemicals in the workplace must then communicate those hazards to employees through a workplace HazCom system.
A practical HazCom system should include the following elements:
|
HazCom element |
What it means in the workplace |
|
Chemical classification |
Chemical manufacturers or importers classify health and physical hazards. |
|
Chemical inventory |
Employers maintain a list of hazardous chemicals known to be present. |
|
Labels and warnings |
Containers are labelled or otherwise marked so workers can identify hazards. |
|
Safety Data Sheets |
SDSs provide detailed information on hazards, handling, storage, exposure controls and emergency response. |
|
Employee information |
Employees are told where hazardous chemicals are present and where HazCom materials are available. |
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Employee training |
Workers receive training at initial assignment and when new chemical hazards are introduced. |
|
Written program |
The employer documents how labels, SDSs and training are managed. |
A strong workplace safety program also connects HazCom to PPE selection, spill response, emergency planning and visual warnings. For PPE context, see Types of PPE: The Complete Guide to Personal Protective Equipment.
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What Are the 9 GHS Pictograms and Their Meanings?
GHS pictograms are visual symbols used to communicate chemical hazards. In workplace training, they help employees quickly recognise the type of hazard before reading the full label or SDS.
|
GHS pictogram |
Common meaning |
Workplace example |
|
Flame |
Flammable, self-reactive, pyrophoric, self-heating chemicals |
Solvents, aerosols, flammable liquids |
|
Flame over circle |
Oxidisers |
Oxidising liquids or solids that can intensify fire |
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Exploding bomb |
Explosives, self-reactives, organic peroxides |
Certain unstable or explosive materials |
|
Gas cylinder |
Gases under pressure |
Compressed gas cylinders |
|
Corrosion |
Skin corrosion, serious eye damage, corrosive to metals |
Strong acids, caustic cleaners |
|
Skull and crossbones |
Acute toxicity, potentially fatal or toxic exposure |
Highly toxic chemicals |
|
Health hazard |
Carcinogenicity, respiratory sensitisation, reproductive toxicity, target organ toxicity |
Chemicals with serious long-term health effects |
|
Exclamation mark |
Irritation, skin sensitisation, harmful acute toxicity, narcotic effects |
Irritant cleaners, some solvents |
|
Environment |
Aquatic toxicity |
Chemicals harmful to aquatic life |
Important US note: OSHA’s current HazCom standard designates eight pictograms for mandatory application under the standard. The environmental pictogram is part of GHS but is not mandatory under OSHA HazCom. It may still appear on labels because other jurisdictions or supplier systems use it.
Pictograms should never be treated as decoration. They are hazard warnings that should lead workers to check the label, review the SDS and follow workplace procedures.
How Do You Read a GHS Chemical Label?
A GHS chemical label gives workers a fast summary of the chemical hazard. OSHA requires shipped container labels to include specific elements. In a workplace setting, labels and alternative warning systems must give employees clear hazard information.
The six key label elements are:
|
Label element |
What it tells the worker |
|
Product identifier |
The chemical name or number that matches the SDS and chemical inventory |
|
Signal word |
The severity level, usually “Danger” or “Warning” |
|
Hazard statement |
The nature of the hazard, such as flammable liquid or causes serious eye damage |
|
Pictogram |
Visual hazard symbol |
|
Precautionary statement |
Prevention, response, storage and disposal guidance |
|
Responsible party details |
Manufacturer, importer or responsible party contact information |
A practical label-reading routine is:
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Confirm the product identifier.
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Check the signal word.
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Read the hazard statement.
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Identify the pictogram.
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Follow the precautionary statement.
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Use the SDS for detailed handling, storage, PPE and emergency information.
Labels are especially important for secondary containers, transfer bottles, spray bottles, process containers and maintenance chemicals. If an employee cannot identify what is in a container or what hazard it presents, the chemical should not be used until the issue is corrected.
For visual workplace communication beyond chemical labels, see Workplace Safety Signs and Symbols: Colours, Shapes and Meanings.
What Are the 16 Sections of a Safety Data Sheet?
A Safety Data Sheet, or SDS, provides detailed information about a hazardous chemical. OSHA Appendix D to 1910.1200 sets the 16-section SDS format. Sections 1–11 and 16 are mandatory under OSHA’s SDS format, while Sections 12–15 may be included but are not mandatory for OSHA enforcement.
|
SDS section |
Heading |
What workers and supervisors should look for |
|
1 |
Identification |
Product name, recommended use, restrictions, supplier and emergency phone number |
|
2 |
Hazard identification |
Hazard classification, signal word, pictograms, hazard statements and precautionary statements |
|
3 |
Composition/information on ingredients |
Chemical ingredients, CAS numbers and relevant concentration information |
|
4 |
First-aid measures |
What to do after inhalation, skin contact, eye contact or ingestion |
|
5 |
Fire-fighting measures |
Suitable extinguishing media and special hazards during fire |
|
6 |
Accidental release measures |
Spill response, containment, cleanup and emergency precautions |
|
7 |
Handling and storage |
Safe handling, incompatible materials and storage conditions |
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8 |
Exposure controls/personal protection |
Exposure limits, engineering controls and PPE guidance |
|
9 |
Physical and chemical properties |
Appearance, odour, flash point, pH, vapour pressure and related properties |
|
10 |
Stability and reactivity |
Chemical stability, hazardous reactions and conditions to avoid |
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11 |
Toxicological information |
Routes of exposure, symptoms, acute and chronic effects |
|
12 |
Ecological information |
Environmental impact information; not mandatory under OSHA |
|
13 |
Disposal considerations |
Disposal guidance; not mandatory under OSHA |
|
14 |
Transport information |
Transport classification; not mandatory under OSHA |
|
15 |
Regulatory information |
Safety, health and environmental regulations; not mandatory under OSHA |
|
16 |
Other information |
Date of preparation, revision information and other useful notes |
For day-to-day workplace use, employees should pay particular attention to Sections 2, 4, 6, 7 and 8. Supervisors and safety teams should also review Sections 9, 10, 11 and 16 when assessing storage, compatibility, exposure risk and SDS currency.
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What Changed in the 2024 HazCom Final Rule?
OSHA announced the 2024 final rule updating the Hazard Communication Standard on May 20, 2024. The rule took effect on July 19, 2024 and aligns primarily with Revision 7 of the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals.
According to OSHA’s national news release dated May 20, 2024, the update aims to improve the amount and quality of information on labels and SDSs and help workers and first responders respond more quickly in emergencies.
Key update areas include:
|
2024 update area |
Why it matters |
|
GHS Revision 7 alignment |
Improves consistency with global chemical classification and communication systems |
|
Updated hazard classification |
Supports more complete and accurate hazard information |
|
Small container labelling |
Makes small package hazard information more usable |
|
SDS technical updates |
Improves the quality and usefulness of safety data sheets |
|
Trade secret changes |
Helps ensure critical hazard information can reach workers and first responders |
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Aerosols, chemicals under pressure and physical hazard classes |
Supports clearer classification and safer handling information |
|
Precautionary statements |
Improves guidance on handling, storage and disposal |
Current HCS 2024 Compliance Timeline
OSHA extended the HCS 2024 compliance dates on January 15, 2026. The current timeline is:
|
Requirement area |
Who it mainly affects |
Current date |
|
Evaluate substances under updated HCS provisions |
Chemical manufacturers, importers and distributors |
May 19, 2026 |
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Update workplace labels, HazCom program and training for newly identified substance hazards |
Employers, where necessary |
November 20, 2026 |
|
Evaluate mixtures under updated HCS provisions |
Chemical manufacturers, importers and distributors |
November 19, 2027 |
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Update workplace labels, HazCom program and training for newly identified mixture hazards |
Employers, where necessary |
May 19, 2028 |
During the transition period, OSHA states that chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors and employers may comply with the previous version of the standard, the updated standard or both.
What HazCom Training Do Employees Need?
HazCom training should help employees understand the chemical hazards in their work area and how to use labels, SDSs, procedures and PPE correctly.
OSHA requires employers to provide effective information and training at the time of an employee’s initial assignment and whenever a new chemical hazard is introduced that employees have not previously been trained on.
Training should cover:
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The requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard
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Work areas and operations where hazardous chemicals are present
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The location and availability of the written HazCom program
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The location and availability of SDSs
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How to detect the presence or release of hazardous chemicals
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Physical, health and other hazards of chemicals in the work area
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Protective measures, including work practices, emergency procedures and PPE
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The workplace labelling system
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How to read and use SDS information
Training by Workplace Role
|
Role |
What they need to understand |
|
Employees |
Labels, pictograms, SDS access, safe handling, PPE and emergency reporting |
|
Supervisors |
Work-area hazards, training follow-up, label checks and SDS access |
|
Safety managers |
Written program, chemical inventory, SDS system, audit readiness and contractor communication |
|
HR and training teams |
Training assignments, records, refresher triggers and onboarding integration |
|
Contractors and temporary workers |
Site-specific chemical hazards, SDS access and communication procedures |
Training should not be generic. A cleaner using disinfectants, a maintenance worker using solvents, a warehouse employee handling sealed chemical containers and a laboratory employee working with reagents may need different examples, procedures and controls.
How Can Employers Build a Written HazCom Program?
A written HazCom program explains how the organisation manages labels, SDSs and employee training. It should be specific enough for the workplace, not copied from a generic template without review.
Use this practical checklist:
|
Written HazCom program item |
What to confirm |
|
Chemical inventory |
List hazardous chemicals by product identifier and location |
|
SDS access |
Make SDSs readily accessible during each work shift |
|
Labels |
Confirm original and workplace container labels are legible and understandable |
|
Secondary containers |
Label transfer bottles, spray bottles and temporary containers correctly |
|
Employee training |
Train employees before exposure and when new hazards are introduced |
|
Non-routine tasks |
Explain hazards during unusual jobs such as tank cleaning or maintenance |
|
Unlabelled pipes |
Tell employees how pipe hazards are communicated |
|
Contractors |
Explain how SDS access, precautions and labelling systems are shared in multi-employer worksites |
|
Review process |
Update the program when chemicals, tasks, suppliers or hazards change |
Common citation risks include missing SDS access, outdated chemical lists, unlabelled containers, employees who cannot explain label elements, and training records that do not show workplace-specific instruction.
Employers should also consider language access and shift access. OSHA allows workplace labels in English and permits additional languages where helpful, but English information must still be present. In practical terms, SDS access and training should be understandable to the employees who need the information.
How Does OSHA HazCom Connect to UN GHS and EU CLP?
HazCom is the US workplace implementation of a wider global chemical communication framework. The United Nations’ GHS provides a harmonised approach to chemical classification and hazard communication. OSHA aligned HazCom with GHS in 2012 and updated it again in 2024 to align primarily with GHS Revision 7.
For international organisations, it is useful to understand the difference:
|
Framework |
Main role |
|
OSHA HazCom |
US workplace hazard communication standard |
|
UN GHS |
Global framework for chemical classification, labels and SDSs |
|
EU CLP Regulation |
EU system for classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures |
|
UK HSE guidance |
UK occupational health and safety and chemical safety guidance |
|
ISO 45001 |
International occupational health and safety management system standard |
|
ILO OSH |
International labour-focused occupational safety and health principles |
For global context, readers can review the UK HSE, ISO 45001 overview and ILO occupational safety and health resources. US injury and illness context can also be reviewed through US BLS injury data.
A workplace operating in multiple jurisdictions should follow the requirements of the relevant regulator, competent authority, industry standard and local workplace procedure.
Conclusion: Turning Chemical Hazard Information Into Safer Work
The Hazard Communication Standard is not just about keeping SDS binders or placing pictograms on labels. It is about making chemical hazard information clear enough for employees to use before handling, storing, transferring, cleaning, mixing or responding to a chemical incident.
A strong HazCom approach helps organisations:
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Identify hazardous chemicals
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Keep labels and SDSs accessible
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Train workers on real workplace hazards
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Improve spill and emergency readiness
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Support supervisor and contractor communication
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Reduce confusion around chemical labels, PPE and safe handling
Featured Course
Explore Course → HSE Fundamentals for All Employees
Build a safer workplace with practical health, safety, and environment awareness for every employee.
Continue Reading
-
Workplace Safety 101: The Complete Guide to HSE Fundamentals (2026)
-
HSE vs EHS vs OHS vs SHE: What Do They Mean and What’s the Difference?
-
Types of PPE: The Complete Guide to Personal Protective Equipment
-
Workplace Safety Signs and Symbols: Colours, Shapes and Meanings
GSA — Global Safety Academy provides professional online training for learners, employers, supervisors, managers, safety teams, compliance teams and organisations seeking practical workplace safety knowledge.
Author: GSA Safety Training Team
Last updated: June 2026
