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February 2003 — Hazard Communication

The Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1900.1200 remains the most frequently cited standard by OSHA. If you haven't reviewed your company's compliance with this regulation recently, you may want to take this opportunity to do so.

The intent of the standard is to ensure that employees are well informed and knowledgeable about the chemical hazards they are exposed to in their workplace. A "hazardous chemical", is any substance, which is found to be a physical or health hazard. Keep in mind, that all compressed gases are hazardous chemicals. The standard defines other substances that must be included in your Hazard Communication Program, as well.

To comply with this standard you must have the following elements in place:

• Written hazard communication program that explains your overall compliance plan.
• List of all hazardous chemicals in your workplace.
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS's) for each substance on your list of hazardous chemicals.
• A labeling program that ensures that all containers are properly labeled.
• Provisions for employees to be informed and trained according to the standard.

The above is a general overview of the main elements of the standard. For complete information regarding the requirements of this standard, it is recommended that you obtain a copy of the complete standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200. You can get a copy of the standard by going to the OSHA web site at www.osha.gov.

Important:

This information is offered by the National Welding Supply Association and your local distributor as general guidance only and may not explain all relevant safety precautions or hazards

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