Employers with hazardous chemicals in the workplace must implement a formal Hazard Communication Training or program that includes processes for managing and maintaining safety data sheets (SDSs), container labels, chemical inventory lists, a written HCS plan, and employee training on OSHA's HCS standard specific to the employer's work environment, according to OSHA's hazard communication standard (HazCom or HCS).
It may be more difficult than it appears to meet these standards. HCS violations have ranked second on OSHA's annual list of the most-common standard violations for the past six years, with the agency frequently punishing businesses for failing to have or having an inadequate written plan in place.
So, what can you do to prevent hefty fines and ensure that your software complies with regulations? Here, we'll go over the few critical steps to putting together a successful HCS program.
Employers who produce, use, or store hazardous substances should familiarize themselves with OSHA's HazCom training standard and how it affects them and their employees. You can't establish what is required for compliance without a fundamental understanding of the standard.
Designating the suitable staff to handle it is also crucial. It won't be enough to create the program once and expect it to remain relevant despite continual changes. Instead, choose a single person or a group of qualified individuals to carry out and oversee related operations like training. Accounting for employee turnover is an often-overlooked aspect of this phase. If a designated employee departs your organization, you should immediately select someone else to fill that position.
Every business that exposes personnel to hazardous chemicals must have a written HCS plan that outlines how the facility will execute the standard in detail. This plan doesn't have to be long or difficult; instead, think of it as a roadmap for implementing your program, ensuring that all needs are met in a systematic and coordinated manner.
All hazardous chemical containers in the workplace must be properly labeled, according to OSHA. When it comes to workplace or secondary container label compliance, you have the option of replicating the corresponding HCS-compliant shipped label or opting for an alternative labeling system that combines UN's Globally Harmonized System (GHS) elements with training and other information to provide employees with immediate access to chemical hazard information.
