Updates to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) went into effect last month, with a compliance deadline set for 2026.
HazCom is meant to identify and protect workers from exposure to hazardous chemicals in the workplace. According to LeadingAge, the standard applies to aging services in addition to other industries where workers may be exposed to hazardous chemicals.
“OSHA’s basic intent for this updated standard is to better protect workers by improving the amount and quality of information on labels and safety data sheets and allow employers, employees and first responders to react more quickly if there is an emergency,” LeadingAge said.
HazCom directly affects manufacturers, who must list on warning labels the chemical reactions and dangers that occur when the chemical is mixed with other compounds.
“It is important for employers to be aware of this new standard, as changes occur upstream. As a manufacturer reviews the classification of a given product and implements the content of the safety data sheet for that product, employers will need to incorporate those updated safety data sheets into their hazard communications programs and training, as applicable,” LeadingAge said.
Twenty-five states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these states have adopted standards that are identical to federal rules. However, State Plans that have their own hazard communication standards must adopt provisions that are at least as effective as the final rule.
A side-by-side comparison of the old and updated HazCom can be found here.
