Title: Introduction to Hazard Communication & Right-To-Know
Type: Lesson
Hazard Communication (HazCom) is OSHA’s requirement that employees have the right to know about the hazardous chemicals they may be exposed to in the workplace — and how to work with them safely.
This standard is found in:
Employers must:
Identify hazardous chemicals present in the workplace
Label containers using GHS (Globally Harmonized System) formats
Maintain a written HazCom program
Provide and maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for each chemical
Train employees on chemical hazards and how to protect themselves
Every employee has the right to:
Know what hazardous substances they work with
Understand health and safety risks
Be trained on labels, pictograms, and SDS
Know how to protect themselves from exposure
Access chemical information at any time
You can’t protect yourself from a hazard you don’t know about.
GHS = Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.
OSHA adopted GHS to create standardized labels, pictograms, and SDS formats that can be used internationally and are easy to understand across industries.
HazCom isn’t optional — it’s a legal right and a safety requirement. When you understand how chemicals can harm you, you can take steps to protect yourself and others.
Click “Mark Complete” to continue to Lesson 2: Chemical Hazards and Routes of Exposure, where you’ll learn how chemicals can affect your health and enter your body.