Posted on: August 3, 2023
HAZCOM: What is OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard?
You may not be familiar with the terms HAZCOM or HCS, but if you work with hazardous materials, they can protect you from danger.
Even though many don’t work directly with dangerous chemicals, they can still be found in most workplaces. Because of this, OSHA requires special training for those who work with them, but also for any dangerous chemicals to be clearly labeled so that anyone can identify them and understand the risks.
In this article, we’ll go over what HAZCOM and HCS are, why they’re vital to a safe work environment, and what you can do to maintain safety and reduce injury.
What Is HAZCOM?
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is a set of laws designed to keep workers aware of any on-the-job chemical risks. The HCS requires companies to have proper container labeling and safety data sheets detailing the possible hazards of the chemicals and what to do in an emergency. Any workplace can have chemical hazards. Mishandling chemicals or disregarding safety warnings can result in serious harm and significant property damage. OSHA requires that companies train employees on how to safely handle hazardous chemicals. This is where HAZCOM comes in.
The purpose of hazard communication, or HAZCOM, is to ensure employees are aware of what hazardous chemicals and products are in the workplace. HAZCOM training teaches employees how to label, identify, and manage hazardous materials. Hazardous materials are defined as any chemicals, waste, or other materials that can cause harm with direct contact. Because working with hazardous materials can be dangerous, HAZCOM training teaches employees how to prevent potential risks.
What Is HCS?
We’ve already discussed what HAZCOM is, so let's dive into a bit more about OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standards (HCS). As defined by OSHA, the purpose of HCS is “to ensure chemical safety in the workplace. Information about the identities and hazards of the chemicals must be available and understandable to workers.” (OSHA) Through HCS, OSHA requires:
- Chemical makers and importers must assess the hazards of the materials they manufacture or import and create labels and safety data sheets to communicate the hazards to their downstream clients.
- All firms that have hazardous chemicals in their workplaces must provide labels and safety data sheets to their exposed staff, as well as instruct them on proper chemical handling.
HAZCOM Training Topics
OSHA doesn’t include specifics for HAZCOM training. However, the HCS standards should function as a building block for the HAZCOM training topics. After completing training, workers will be more equipped to handle the chemicals in the workplace.
1. Chemical Hazards and Chemical Exposure
Chemicals can be hazardous to a worker's well-being. The impact of health concerns ranges from reversible to lethal. It is critical for workers to understand what can happen if chemicals are handled inappropriately. They must also be aware of the serious repercussions of chemical exposure.
2. Detecting the Presence of Dangerous Substances
Employees must understand how to recognize a dangerous chemical that has been spilled or dispersed. This includes information about a chemical's visual appearance or odor. Another important part of training is learning how to read monitoring equipment.
3. Protection Against Chemical Exposure
Workers must be aware of the safety precautions that are available to them. They must also understand how to use the measures. Personal protective equipment is one form of a safeguard. Other elements that must be included in the training include safe working practices and emergency response.
4. The Hazard Communication Program in the Workplace
Finally, employees need to understand their workplace's hazard communication protocol. They must be familiar with chemical labels and safety data sheets. Workers must also understand how to apply hazard information. Hazardous chemical labels contain a variety of information. HAZCOM training should cover how to understand labeled information.
A safety data sheet (SDS) contains detailed information on a chemical compound. The SDS highlights the hazards of working with a chemical as well as the measures that must be taken. Employees must understand how to access SDSs.
Why Is HAZCOM Training Important?
OSHA mandates HAZCOM training to reduce workplace accidents and ensure personnel carries and stores hazardous goods safely. A safer workplace helps both the employees and the company. Not to mention, having a great safety record improves a company's reputation among clients and the community.
Training also encourages environmental sustainability. Safe handling of hazardous items prevents waste and contaminants from entering the environment. Training covers how to prevent or respond to hazards, such as a chemical spill, a toxin leak, or any human interaction with a dangerous chemical.
You can avoid high fines and accidents while enhancing productivity through HAZCOM training. Noncompliance with HAZCOM regulation is considered a willful violation by OSHA. The maximum penalty for 2021 has been raised to $136,532.
HAZCOM Violations
OSHA is serious about HAZCOM compliance. HAZCOM violations are one of the most often complaints OSHA brings up against businesses. Violations result in steep consequences, such as financial penalties, negative press for your company, loss of business reputation, and more frequent OSHA inspections.
Here are some of the most frequent hazard communications violations, according to OSHA:
- Failure to keep enough records on hand for staff members to consult.
- Failure to develop and implement a written hazard communication program.
- Failure to train staff.
- Failure to keep staff training up to date.
- Failure to correctly label substances.
- Failure to have and keep SDSs for all substances in the workplace.
While some might seem inconsequential, once you start making excuses, violations start to pile up. Even a simple error can be harmful to business and create an unsafe workplace for all employees. All this can be easily avoided by following OSHA regulations. Learn more about how to train your staff in HAZCOM with our OSHA-compliant HAZCOM Training.