Hazard Communication (Haz Com) is vital for workplace safety because it ensures employees understand the hazards of chemicals they handle, enabling them to take necessary precautions and protect themselves from potential harm. Employers are legally required to implement a Haz Com program that meets OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS).
Haz Com Program
Hazard communication programs involve clear and concise communication about chemical hazards, including proper labeling, safety data sheets (SDS), and training programs. The primary goal of a Haz Com program is to protect workers from potential harm caused by hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
Training
Haz Com training is crucial because it empowers employees to understand and mitigate risks associated with hazardous chemicals, ensuring a safer workplace, and protecting their health and safety, as mandated by OSHA. Training should include, but not be limited to, employee awareness of SDS database location, frequently used chemicals in their work location, and understanding of the Global Harmonizes System (GHS). The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) is an international approach to hazard communication, providing a standardized system for classifying chemical hazards and communicating them through labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
Accessibility is Key
Having determined the correct SDS for each task and notated as such in the standard operating procedure, is a great beginning to the process, however, making the SDS available to employees will close the loop on Haz Com awareness. If you utilize SDS binders in each work location, consider determining a regularly recurring, SDS binder inspection frequency to confirm that all SDS’s are current, per the manufacturer. You may also decide to utilize an electronic SDS database for employees to search for a specific SDS based on manufacturer label. Such a database may require a local computer terminal or digital tablet connected to the internet.
