Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)

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The page below is a sample from the LabCE course OSHA Hazard Communication and Chemical Hygiene. Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

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Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)

The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), also known as Haz-Com or the Right-to-Know Law, is an OSHA regulation to help control workplace exposure to chemicals. The HCS requires chemical manufacturers to determine the physical and health hazards of each product they make. They also have to let users know about those hazards through the use of:
  • GHS-compliant labels
    • Which include signal words, pictograms, and hazard statements for each hazard class and category, as well as precautionary statements
  • Safety data sheets (SDSs)
    • Which include the standardized 16-section format
These will be discussed in more detail later in the course.

Examples of GHS pictograms.
The first section of an SDS.