If you run a business that handles chemicals — even common ones like cleaning agents or solvents — you’re already subject to OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), whether you realize it or not.
But what exactly is this standard, and why is it important? More than just a regulation, the HCS helps protect your people, your operation, and your bottom line. Let’s unpack what the purpose of the Hazard Communication Standard is, why it exists, and how you can stay on the right side of compliance while building a safer, smarter workplace.
The Core Purpose: Right to Know and Right to Understand
At its heart, OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard exists for one reason: to make sure employees know what they’re dealing with when it comes to chemicals.
Here’s how OSHA puts it:
The purpose of this section is to ensure that the hazards of all chemicals produced or imported are classified, and that information concerning the classified hazards is transmitted to employers and employees.
That transmission of information is the key. The standard doesn’t just require that chemical hazards be identified — it demands that the information about those hazards be communicated clearly and consistently through labels, safety data sheets (SDS), and training.
In other words, the HCS exists to make sure nobody in your facility is in the dark about the risks they’re facing — and how to handle them safely.
Why This Matters for Business Owners and Managers
You don’t need to run a chemical plant to fall under the HCS. If your staff uses degreasers, paints, flammable aerosols, or even bleach the HCS applies to you. Many business owners don’t realize they’re already handling “hazardous chemicals” under OSHA’s definition.
Consider this: If something goes wrong — an exposure, a spill, or a misunderstanding — you’re involved both ethically and legally. The HCS is not optional. Failing to comply could lead to fines, lawsuits, and long-term health issues for your employees.
Understanding the purpose of the HCS can help you approach it not as a burden, but as a proactive safety strategy that protects your people and streamlines your operations.
Breaking Down the Key Objectives of the HCS
Hazard Classification
Every chemical must be evaluated for both physical hazards (like flammability or reactivity) and health hazards (like skin irritation, cancer risk, or respiratory issues). This classification must follow a standardized system — one that allows for consistency across industries.
Why does this matter to you? Because misclassified chemicals mean misinformed workers, and misinformed workers mean risk. This step ensures everyone’s working from the same information source.
Information Transmission
OSHA requires that every workplace using hazardous chemicals must:
- Label all containers properly
- Maintain up-to-date Safety Data Sheets
- Train employees to understand the hazards and how to protect themselves
The HCS is aimed at helping to make sure information flows clearly from the supplier to the employer and from the employer to the employee.
Worker Protection
The ultimate goal is to prevent illness and injury. This is done not by removing chemicals entirely, but by making sure your team knows what they’re working with, how to handle the chemicals safely, and what to do in an emergency.
By both giving your people the tools they need to protect themselves, you’re protecting your company at the same time.
Global Consistency
In 2012, OSHA aligned the HCS with the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System (GHS). This international framework helps standardize how chemical hazards are classified and communicated — whether you’re importing cleaning solvents from Canada or selling adhesives overseas.
For you, this means fewer surprises and less confusion when working with international suppliers or customers.
What the Standard Actually Requires of You
Here’s what OSHA expects you to do, as a business owner or manager.
Proper Labeling
Every chemical container—whether it’s a drum, bottle, or secondary container—must be labeled. These labels must include:
- A signal word (like Danger or Warning)
- Hazard statements (e.g., Causes skin irritation)
- Pictograms (standardized images that show the type of hazard)
- Precautionary statements and supplier info
Even if your team is transferring chemicals from one container to another, that secondary container needs a label, too. Never store unlabeled chemicals.
Maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
An SDS is a 16-section document that gives detailed information about the chemical. Every hazardous chemical in your workplace must have one, and your employees must be able to access them easily.
No locked filing cabinets. No “we’ll print it later.” These documents need to be available when people need them — especially in an emergency.
Create a Written Hazard Communication Program
You are required to show that you have a plan if your operations are governed by the Hazard Communication Standard.
Your written program should describe:
- How you’ll label chemicals
- Where SDSs are kept
- How training is conducted
- Who is responsible for the program
The binder containing your HCS plan needs to be current and available.
Train Your Employees
Training must be done at the time of initial assignment as well as whenever a new hazard is introduced. Your people should walk away understanding:
- What chemicals they’re working with
- What the labels and SDSs mean
- How to protect themselves, including use of PPE
- What to do in an emergency
Treat the training seriously. It is an opportunity to protect your team and lower your liability. That makes compliance a double win.
What’s at Stake: More Than Just Compliance
Noncompliance can lead to OSHA penalties, but the real cost shows up in other ways:
- Lost productivity from injuries or illnesses
- Damaged reputation if incidents become public
- Worker turnover due to unsafe conditions
- Legal exposure in the event of lawsuits or workers’ comp claims
Compliance also offers benefits:
- Employees feel safer, and morale improves.
- Insurance costs may decrease.
- Processes become clearer, more efficient.
- You build a safety culture that serves your team and your business.
Worker Safety Is a Leadership Function
In the end, the purpose of the Hazard Communication Standard is about more than labels and paperwork. It’s about leadership. Your team depends on you to take hazards seriously, to communicate clearly, and to foster a culture where safety is part of doing the job right.
If you’re just getting started with compliance, begin with these three steps:
- Take inventory of all hazardous chemicals on-site.
- Collect SDSs and make sure your staff knows how to access them.
- Train your people — not just once, but regularly and accurately.
For help adhering to the Hazard Communication Standard, training, or your written Hazard Communication Program, Call FACS at (888) 711-9998.
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