Hazard Communication Program Review

Since so many OSHA fines and penalties stem from hazard communication (and confusion over these requirements), it is important to review the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), 29 CFR 1910.1200, one final time. The HCS covers all industries where employees could potentially be exposed to hazardous chemicals. It covers roughly 43 million workers in the United States and details 650,000 hazardous chemicals.

An important part of the HCS is the requirement for a written Hazard Communication Program, which has many components. Employers often fail to create a comprehensive Hazard Communication Program, which is why it is so commonly a source of OSHA citations. To help employers develop a comprehensive program, OSHA provides 6 steps for creating, implementing, and maintaining a written Hazard Communication Program.

Compliance prevents costly fines and saves lives. It is estimated that the HCS prevents more than 500 injuries and 40 fatalities each year.

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