Per 29 CFR 1910.1200 — GHS-Aligned Hazard Communication Standard | EHS Community Template
SECTION 1 — PURPOSE & SCOPE
[Company Name] is committed to providing all employees with information about the hazardous chemicals they may be exposed to in the course of their work. This written Hazard Communication Program has been established to ensure compliance with 29 CFR 1910.1200 and to inform employees about chemical hazards through labels, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and training.
This program applies to all work areas and operations at this facility where hazardous chemicals are present, including:
How employees are told about the hazards of non-routine tasks (for example, cleaning reactor vessels or tanks) before they start them:
SECTION 2 — HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL INVENTORY
A master list of all hazardous chemicals present in the workplace is maintained and updated whenever new chemicals are introduced. Location of master list:
Product Identifier (as on the SDS)
Work Area(s) Used
SDS Location
Primary Hazard
PPE Required
SECTION 3 — LABELS & GHS LABELING SYSTEM
Shipped containers: the manufacturer, importer or distributor labels each container with (1) product identifier, (2) signal word (Danger / Warning), (3) hazard statement(s), (4) pictogram(s), (5) precautionary statement(s), and (6) the name, US address and US phone number of the responsible party (29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(1)). Do not remove or deface these labels (1910.1200(f)(9)).
Workplace containers: label each container with either the full shipped-container label information or the product identifier plus words, pictures or symbols that give at least general information about its hazards (1910.1200(f)(6)). Signs, placards or batch tickets may be used for stationary process containers (f)(7). A portable container filled from a labeled container needs no label if it is only for the immediate use of the employee who filled it (f)(8). Workplace labels must be legible, in English (other languages may be added) and prominently displayed (f)(10).
SECTION 4 — SAFETY DATA SHEETS (SDS)
Keep an SDS in the workplace for each hazardous chemical used here (29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(1)), readily accessible to employees in their work areas during each work shift (g)(8). If an SDS does not arrive with a shipment of a labeled hazardous chemical, obtain one from the manufacturer or importer as soon as possible (g)(6)(iii); getting it before first use is good practice. SDSs from the manufacturer or importer follow the 16-section format (g)(2). Electronic access is allowed as long as it creates no barrier to immediate employee access (g)(8), so plan a backup for power or network outages.
SECTION 5 — EMPLOYEE TRAINING
Employees must receive effective information and training on the hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of initial assignment, and whenever a new chemical hazard they have not been trained on is introduced (29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1)). It must cover (h)(2)–(3):
The requirements of the HCS and where this written program, the chemical list and SDSs are kept
Operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals are present
How to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical
The physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the work area
The measures, work practices, emergency procedures and PPE that protect them
How to read the labels and SDSs used here
Good practice: give the training in a language and vocabulary your employees understand.
Employee Name
Date Trained
Trainer
Language
Signature
SECTION 6 — CONTRACTOR / MULTI-EMPLOYER SITES
When contractors work at this facility, [Company Name] will: (1) provide contractors with a copy of this program, (2) inform contractors of any chemical hazards they may encounter, (3) provide access to relevant SDS, and (4) coordinate to ensure contractor workers are informed of labeling systems in use. Contractors must provide SDS for any chemicals they bring on site.
This template is provided for educational purposes by EHS Community (ehscommunity.com). Reference: 29 CFR 1910.1200 — Hazard Communication Standard (GHS-aligned; US federal OSHA, which sets no fixed review interval for this program). In Canada, WHMIS 2015 worker education and training rules are set by your province or territory; Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec require a yearly review, while Alberta's OHS Code sets no fixed interval. This program must be customized to reflect the specific chemicals, work areas, and procedures at your facility.