Introduction
Each year, more than 30 million workers face potential exposure to chemical hazards in the workplace. With approximately 650,000 existing hazardous chemical products—and hundreds more introduced annually—this presents ongoing challenges for employers and serious health and safety risks for employees.
Due to the magnitude of these risks and widespread lack of awareness, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSH Center) implemented the original Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) in 1994. The purpose of this standard is to ensure that both employers and workers understand the chemical hazards present in their work environments and know how to take appropriate protective measures. The ultimate goal is to reduce illness and injury related to hazardous chemical exposure. Hazard Communication consistently ranks among OSH Center’s Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards.
In March 2012, OSH Center updated the HCS to align with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) developed by the United Nations. This harmonization improves the clarity and consistency of chemical hazard information worldwide.
This course will cover the essential elements of the Hazard Communication Standard, emphasizing how employees can recognize chemical hazards and take steps to protect themselves in the workplace.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
| ID | Objective |
|---|---|
| TO 1.0 | Achieve a minimum score of 70% on the final course assessment. |
| LO 1.1.1 | Describe and explain the purpose of the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) and its alignment with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS). |
| LO 1.1.2 | Define “hazardous substance” and identify examples of both physical and health-related hazards. |
| LO 1.1.3 | Recognize and describe the different forms that hazardous chemicals may take. |
| LO 1.1.4 | List and explain the four main routes through which chemicals can enter the body. |
| LO 1.1.5 | Describe the four main types of chemical containers and their labeling requirements. |
| LO 1.1.6 | Identify the six levels of the Hierarchy of Controls for managing chemical hazards. |
| LO 1.1.7 | Provide examples of container types and understand the associated labeling standards. |
| LO 1.1.8 | Interpret the meanings of the nine pictograms used under the 2012 HCS guidelines. |
| LO 1.1.9 | Understand and explain the key requirements outlined in the Hazard Communication Standard. |
| LO 1.2.1 | Describe the function and key sections of a Safety Data Sheet (SDS). |
| LO 1.2.2 | Explain the training requirements for employees under a compliant hazard communication program. |
Key:
- Terminal Objective (TO)
- Learning Objective (LO)