HazCom Standard cited over 2,500 times in fiscal year 2024

OSHA issued more than 2,500 citations under its Hazard Communication (HazCom) Standard in fiscal year (FY) 2024. If you have hazardous chemicals in your facility, you’re likely covered by the standard at 1910.1200. While there are some exceptions to the standard at (b)(6), most chemicals are covered. Are you meeting OSHA’s requirements?

#1. Written program, 988 violations.

Employers must develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written HazCom program that describes how their company is meeting the requirements of 1910.1200. OSHA looks for the following elements:

• A list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present in the workplace that matches the identifier on the container label and the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
• Designation of person(s) responsible for ensuring labeling of in-plant containers.
• Designation of person(s) responsible for ensuring labeling of shipped containers (if any).
• Description of any in-plant labeling system(s) (if used).
• Description of any labeling alternatives used in the facility (if any).
• Description of HazCom training provided to employees.
• Procedures to review and update label information when necessary.
• Methods used to inform employees of the hazards of non-routine tasks.
• Methods used to inform employees of the hazards of unlabeled pipes in their work areas.
• How the employer will comply on multi-employer worksites.

#2. Information and training, 820 violations.

All employees who are exposed to hazardous chemicals in their work area must be trained before they are initially assigned to those jobs. Employees must be informed of:

• The requirements of the HazCom Standard;
• The operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals are present; and
• The location and availability of the written HazCom program, including the list of hazardous chemicals, and SDSs.

Training must address:

• How to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the work area (such as continuous monitoring devices or visual appearance of hazardous chemicals when being released);
• The physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the work area;
• How employees can protect themselves from these hazards (such as use of personal protective equipment) and work practices and other measures the employer has implemented to protect employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals; and
• An explanation of the employer’s written HazCom program, including a description of labels and SDSs, and how workers can obtain and use the information.

#3. SDSs readily accessible, 350 violations.

SDSs must be available to employees in their work area throughout each work shift. If SDSs are maintained electronically, employees must be trained to use the system. There must be no barrier to access, such as keeping SDSs in a locked cabinet or employees having to ask a supervisor for an SDS.

#4. SDS for each chemical, 203 violations.

An SDS must be available for each covered hazardous chemical (exceptions are found in 1910.1200(b)(6)) and must be specific to the product and manufacturer.

#5. Workplace labels - Information immediately available to employees, 196 violations.

All containers of hazardous chemicals in the workplace must be labeled unless they’re for immediate use. Workplace labels can contain the same elements as found on labels of shipped containers of hazardous chemicals (see 1910.1200(f)(1)), or they can contain the product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or a combination of these that provides at least general information regarding the chemical’s hazards.

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