What You Don't Know Can Hurt You
Employees must be trained on the hazardous chemicals in their work area. What do employers need to know to comply with standards and protect their employees effectively?
- By Rachel Krubsack
- Jun 11, 2024
The potential for accidents, incidents, and injuries is always present when people work with, or are in the vicinity of, hazardous chemicals. OSHA estimates that 43 million workers produce or handle hazardous chemicals in more than five million workplaces across the country. That’s a lot of potential! The good news, though, is that Hazard Communication (HazCom) training can help ensure chemical safety in the workplace.
When employees know and understand the hazards of the chemicals they work with and how to safely use them, they can greatly decrease any risk that might be present. OSHA’s HazCom Standard at 29 CFR 1910.1200 requires you to communicate this information.
All employees exposed to hazardous chemicals in the workplace must be provided with information and training on the hazardous chemicals in their work area. “Exposure or exposed” is defined in the standard to mean “that an employee is subjected in the course of employment to a chemical that is a physical or health hazard, and includes potential (e.g., accidental or possible) exposure. “Subjected” in terms of health hazards includes any route of entry (e.g., inhalation, ingestion, skin contact or absorption).”
How Does OSHA Define Hazardous Chemical?
Under HazCom, a hazardous chemical is defined as “any chemical which is classified as a physical hazard or a health hazard, a simple asphyxiant, combustible dust, pyrophoric gas, or hazard not otherwise classified (HNOC).” A physical hazard or health hazard may pose any of the hazardous effects listed below:
Physical Hazard:
This article originally appeared in the June 2024 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.