Purpose The purpose of this safety program is to aid business owners with their Federal OSHA compliance efforts. Each business is unique and each program will require customization. As the program is customized, remember to only include words, sections, concepts, procedures, etc. that are relevant to the operations. The purpose of any written safety program is to provide a clear and consistent plan for addressing safety in a particular area of focus. Use Use this wizard to customize your program Instructions To develop your customized plan, follow steps 1 through 3 in order, by clicking the buttons and following the instructions prompted by the program. Customize Review and Format Approve & Save

<CompanyName>

Hazard Communication Program

Version <Version>

Updated: <Date>

Contents

1.	Program Purpose	1

2.	Responsibilities	1

3.	Definitions	1

4.	Identifying Hazardous Chemicals	2

5.	Labeling and Warnings	2

6.	Safety Data Sheets	3

7.	Monitoring, Detection, Control Methods	4

8.	Non-Routine Tasks	4

9.	Emergency Response	4

10.	Training	4

Appendix I – Chemical Inventory	6

Appendix II – Pictograms & Hazards	7

Employee Acknowledgement	12

Program Purpose

The purpose of <CompanyName>’s hazard communication program is to provide a consistent approach to managing hazard chemicals in the workplace. Our employees have a right to know what the chemicals are in the workplace, the hazards that are associated with the chemicals, and the proper methods of controlling those hazards.

Responsibilities

<OwnerRole> is responsible for reviewing and updating the program annually or when significant changes in operations occur.

<TrainingRole1> is responsible for ensuring employees are trained upon hire.

<TrainingRole2> is responsible for ensuring employees are trained upon job transfer, the addition of a new substance, or after significant changes in operation.

<SDSRole> is responsible for obtaining and distributing Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for any chemicals purchased.

<LabelingRole> is responsible for supplying labels for all primary and secondary containers.

All employees are responsible for asking questions about chemicals in the workplace, not bringing in any unknown chemicals to the workplace, knowing where to locate and how to read an SDS, and making certain that labels are on all containers being used.

Definitions

Chemical – any substance, or mixture of substances.

Container – any bag, barrel, bottle, box, can, cylinder, drum, reaction vessel, storage tank, or the like that contains a hazardous chemical. For purposes of this section, pipes or piping systems, engines, fuel tanks, or other operating systems in a vehicle, are not considered to be containers.

Employee – a worker who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals under normal operating conditions or in foreseeable emergencies. Workers, such as office workers, who encounter hazardous chemicals only in non-routine, isolated instances are not covered.

Employer – a person engaged in a business where chemicals are either used, distributed, or are produced for use or distribution, including a contractor or subcontractor.

Hazardous chemical – any chemical that is classified as a physical or health hazard, a simple asphyxiant, combustible dust, pyrophoric gas, or hazard not otherwise classified.

Immediate use – the hazardous chemical will be under the control of, and used only by, the person who transfers it from a labeled container, and only within the work shift in which it is transferred.

Label – an appropriate group of written, printed, or graphic information elements concerning a hazardous chemical that is affixed to, printed on, or attached to the immediate container of a hazardous chemical or to the outside packaging.

Safety data sheet (SDS) – written or printed material concerning a hazardous chemical that is prepared in accordance with Globally Harmonized System (GHS) requirements.

Use – to package, handle, react, emit, extract, generate as a byproduct, or transfer.

Work area – a room or defined space in a workplace where hazardous chemicals are produced or used, and where employees are present.

Workplace – an establishment, jobsite, or project at one geographical location containing one or more work areas.

Identifying Hazardous Chemicals

All new chemicals must be purchased with the approval of <ChemicalRoles>.

A master list of chemicals will be maintained by <ListRole> and stored in designated areas. The list will be updated by <ListRole> whenever a new chemical is brought on site.

Detailed information about each chemical on the list can be found on the chemical’s safety data sheet.

Contractors working on site must provide a list of all chemicals and the associated safety data sheet to <SDSRole> who will communicate the hazards associated with that chemical to affected employees and their supervisors.

A list of chemicals can be found in Appendix I.

Labeling and Warnings

All primary containers must come labeled from the manufacturer or supplier, or the receiving department will reject the shipment.

All labels must convey information about the hazards of a chemical through standardized label elements outlined in the OSHA standard. The GHS Label contains the following information:

The Six Elements of a GHS Label:

Signal Word – indicates hazard level. "Danger" is used for the most severe instances, while "Warning" is less severe.

GHS Symbols (Hazard Pictograms) – used to identify hazardous products and are commonly grouped by chemical/physical risk, health risk, and environmental risk. View our GHS pictogram guide.

Manufacturer Information – identifies the manufacturer's company name, address, and telephone number.

Precautionary Statements/First Aid – phrases that are tied to each hazard statement. They describe general preventative, response, storage, or disposal precautions. These statements are found on the chemical's Safety Data Sheet (SDS). Similar to Hazard Statements, Precautionary Statements can be identified by a P-Code, for example P100.

Hazard Statements – phrases that describe the nature of hazardous products and the degree of hazard. Hazard statements are on the chemical's Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and identified by an H-Code, for example H100.

Product Name or Identifiers – identifies the product or chemical name. Additional identifiers can be noted to the right of the Manufacturer Information (#1).

Manufacturer labels shall not be removed from any container.

Secondary containers must be labeled by <LabelingRole> before being used.

Upon approval of <LabelingRole>, small quantity containers for immediate use may be used by a single person without a formal label as long as the container is always in the possession of the user and disposed of properly when done. The small quantity container shall have its contents labeled legibly and the words must remain readable throughout the use of the container.

Warning signs shall be placed in areas where special personal protective equipment is required.

Warning signs shall be placed at designated storage areas.

Safety Data Sheets

All SDSs will meet the OSHA Hazardous Communication standard and comply with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS).

If an SDS is not provided with a shipment, <SDSRole> will obtain a copy from a reputable website and distribute.

SDSs shall be readily accessible to all employees.

SDSs shall be stored in the following areas: <SDSLocations>

Monitoring, Detection, Control Methods

<CompanyName> shall monitor for unusual release of chemicals in the workplace and activate proper emergency controls.

Controls will be implemented to reduce exposure using the established hierarchy of controls methods.

Hazardous chemicals will be replaced with less hazardous chemicals whenever possible.

Non-Routine Tasks

Employees may not conduct non-routine tasks involving chemicals without approval of <NonRoutineRole>.

Training will be provided before each non-routine task unless that task has been completed by the same person in the same work week with no significant changes to conditions.

Prior to starting each such project, the worker needs to be provided information about the hazardous chemicals he or she may encounter during the activity, including specific chemical hazards; protective and safety measures the worker should use; and steps the company is taking to reduce the hazards, including ventilation, respirators, the presence of another worker (buddy systems), and emergency procedures.

Emergency Response

Emergency response for chemicals will be in accordance with the corresponding Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each chemical.

Training

New employees shall be trained on the <CompanyName> hazard communication program by <TrainingRole1>, including the location of the program and contents of the program, which includes:

Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the work area.

The physical, health, fire, and other hazards associated with the chemical.

The measures the company has taken and that employees can take to protect themselves from hazards.

The details of the hazard communication program, including workplace labeling system, how to locate and read a safety data sheet, and other appropriate hazard information.

Job-specific training will be conducted upon hire or transfer to a new position or department by <TrainingRole2> within eight hours of starting the job.

Employees can submit questions concerning the hazard communication program, chemicals in the workplace, or any other safety concern to <OwnerRole>.

Contractors working on site who may be exposed to a hazardous chemical will be trained on the same elements as an employee with similar exposure.

Contractors who work with hazardous chemicals will not be directed in methods or procedures for conducting their work by <CompanyName>.

Appendix I – Chemical Inventory

<POPULATE THE TABLE BELOW OR ATTACH YOUR EXISTING CHEMICAL INVENTORY>

Product Name	Common Chemical Name	Primary Hazard(s)	Typical Quantity	Storage Location	SDS Date	Product Expiration Date

Appendix II – Pictograms & Hazards

Corrosion

Skin Corrosion/Burns

Eye Damage

Corrosive to Metals

Environment (Non-Mandatory)

Aquatic Toxicity

Exclamation Mark

Irritant (skin and eye)

Skin Sensitizer

Acute Toxicity (harmful)

Narcotic Effects

Respiratory Tract Irritant

Hazardous to Ozone Layer (Non-Mandatory

Exploding Bomb

Explosives

Self-Reactives

Organic Peroxides

Flame

Flammables

Pyrophorics

Self-Heating

Emits Flammable Gas

Self-Reactives

Organic Peroxides

Flame Over Circle

Oxidizers

Gas Cylinder

Gases Under Pressure

Health Hazard

Carcinogen

Mutagenicity

Reproductive Toxicity

Respiratory Sensitizer

Target Organ Toxicity

Aspiration Toxicity

Skull and Crossbones

Poison

Employee Acknowledgement

I have received information on <CompanyName>’s Hazard Communication Program. By signing below, I agree to abide by the procedures in this document and bring to the attention of my supervisor any questions or concerns had.
Employee Name: _________________________________
Employee Signature: ______________________________
Date: __________________________________________