OSHA’s Revised Hazard Communication Standard Imposes New Training Requirements By Dec. 1, 2013

OSHA's revised Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires sweeping mandatory training for most employers across the country on the new requirements for chemical labeling as well as the new Safety Data Sheets by Dec. 1, 2013.

Background

OSHA's revised Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) took effect May 25, 2012. It was revised to align it with the internationally accepted Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Any employer that uses hazardous chemicals in its workplace is subject to the communication and training requirements of the HCS. OSHA estimates that this revised standard will affect more than 5 million workplaces across the country employing more than 43 million workers. The revised HCS imposes new obligations on chemical manufacturers and importers as well but some of those requirements do not become effective until 2015.