Hazard Communication - Labels: What you need to know

Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 29 USC 651 to 678 and regulations at 29 CFR 1910.1200 (general industry) and 29 CFR 1926.59 (construction)

U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

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This topic covers the labeling requirements of OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom), including the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) amendments, which applies to any employer whose workers may be exposed to hazardous chemicals. Manufacturers must label every hazardous chemical container with key information on the substance it contains, and worker training must include an explanation of the labeling system.

29 CFR 1910.1200(f) and 29 CFR 1910.1200, Appendix C

CHEMICAL MANUFACTURER, IMPORTER, OR DISTRIBUTOR REQUIREMENTS

The purpose of labels, tags, and markings is to give employees an immediate warning of hazardous chemicals and a reminder that more detailed information is available.

Labels on Shipped Containers

Each container of a hazardous chemical that is shipped must be properly labeled, tagged, or marked. A “container” is any bag, barrel, bottle, box, can, cylinder, drum, reaction vessel, storage tank, or the like that contains a hazardous chemical.

Hazard Not Otherwise Classified (HNOC)

An HNOC does not have to be addressed on the container label. “HNOC” means an adverse physical or health effect identified during the classification process that does not meet the specified criteria for the physical and health hazard classes addressed in Appendices A, B, and C of the rule. This does not extend coverage to ...