The basic goal of a Hazard Communication Program is to be sure
employers and employees know about work hazards and how to protect themselves; this should help to reduce the incidence of chemical source illness and injuries.

Chemicals pose a wide range of health hazards (such as irritation, sensitization, and carcinogenicity) and physical hazards (such as flammability, corrosion, and reactivity).

OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is designed to ensure that information about these hazards and associated protective measures is disseminated to workers and employers.

This is accomplished by requiring chemical manufacturers and importers to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import, and to provide information about them through labels on shipped containers and more detailed
information sheets called material safety data sheets (MSDSs).

All employers with hazardous chemicals in their workplaces must prepare and implement a written hazard communication program, and must ensure that all containers are labeled,
employees are provided access to MSDSs, and an effective training program is conducted for all potentially exposed employees.

Employees have a right to know the hazards and identities of the chemicals they are exposed to in the workplace. When workers have this information, they can effectively participate in their employers’ protective programs and take steps to protect themselves. In addition, the standard gives employers the information they need to design and
implement an effective protective program for employees potentially exposed to hazardous chemicals. 

A list of hazardous chemicals in the workplace should be part of the written hazard communication program. The list
will eventually serve as an inventory of
everything for which an MSDS must be
maintained.

All workplaces where employees are
exposed to hazardous chemicals must have a written plan which describes how the standard will be implemented in that facility.

In-plant containers of hazardous chemicals must be labeled, tagged, or marked with the identity of the material and appropriate hazard warnings.

Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to obtain or develop a material safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical they produce or import. Distributors are responsible for ensuring that their customers are provided a copy of these MSDSs. Employers must have an MSDS for
each hazardous chemical which they use.

Each employee who may be "exposed" to hazardous chemicals when working must be provided information and trained prior to initial assignment to work with a hazardous chemical, and whenever the hazard changes.

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Written Haz Com Safety Program 

Haz Com Video Training Programs

Chemicals and Hazardous Materials

Written Master Safety Plan on CD-ROM

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