Hazard Communication

Guidelines for Compliance

U.S. Department of Labor

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA 3111

2000 (Reprinted)
This informational booklet is

intended to provide a generic,

non-exhaustive overview of a

particular standards-related topic.

This publication does not itself

alter or determine compliance

responsibilities, which are set

forth in OSHA standards themselves and the Occupational

Safety and Health Act. Moreover,

because interpretations and

enforcement policy may change

over time, for additional guidance

on OSHA compliance requirements, the reader should consult

current and administrative interpretations and decisions by

the Occupational Safety and

Health Review Commission

and the Courts.

Material contained in this publication is in the public domain and

may be reproduced, fully or

partially, without permission

of the Federal Government.

Source credit is requested but

not required.

This information will be made

available to sensory impaired

individuals upon request.

Voice phone: (202) 693-1999

For sale by the U.S. Government Printing Office

Superintendent of Documents, Mail Stop: SSOP, Washington, DC 20402-9328

ISBN 0-16-049730-2
Hazard Communication

Guidelines for Compliance

U.S. Department of Labor

Alexis M. Herman, Secretary

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Charles N. Jeffress, Assistant Secretary

OSHA 3111

2000 (Reprinted)
Contents

Contents iii

Introduction............................................................................ 1

Becoming Familiar with the Rule.......................................... 2

Identifying Responsible Staff ................................................ 5

Identifying Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace ............. 6

Preparing and Implementing a Hazard

 Communication Program................................................... 8

Labels and Other Forms of Warning............................. 9

Material Safety Data Sheets ....................................... 10

Employee Information and Training........................... 12

Other Requirements ............................................................ 15

Checklist for Compliance .................................................... 16

Further Assistance ............................................................... 17

Other Sources of OSHA Assistance ..................................... 18

Safety and Health Program Management ................... 18

State Programs ............................................................ 18

Consultation Services ................................................. 19

Voluntary Protection Programs ................................... 19

Training and Education............................................... 19

OSHA Related Publications ................................................. 21

States with Approved Plans................................................. 22

OSHA Consultation Project Directory .................................. 25

OSHA Area Offices ............................................................... 27
Introduction

Introduction 1

OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is based on a

simple concept—that employees have both a need and a right to

know the hazards and identities of the chemicals they are exposed to

when working. They also need to know what protective measures

are available to prevent adverse effects from occurring. OSHA

designed the HCS to provide employees with the information they

need to know.

Knowledge acquired under the HCS will help employers provide

safer workplaces for their employees. When employees have information about the chemicals being used, they can take steps to reduce

exposures, substitute less hazardous materials, and establish proper

work practices. These efforts will help prevent the occurrence of

work-related illnesses and injuries caused by chemicals.

The HCS addresses the issues of evaluating and communicating

chemical hazard information to workers. Evaluation of chemical

hazards involves a number of technical concepts, and is a process

that requires the professional judgment of experienced experts.

That’s why the HCS is designed so that employers who simply use

chemicals—rather than produce or import them—are not required to

evaluate the hazards of those chemicals. Hazard determination is the

responsibility of the manufacturers and importers of the chemicals,

who then must provide the hazard information to employers that

purchase their products

Employers that do not produce or import chemicals need only

focus on those parts of the rule that deal with establishing a workplace program and communicating information to their workers.

This publication is a general guide for such employers to help them

determine what the HCS requires. It does not supplant or substitute

for the regulatory provisions, but rather provides a simplified outline

of the steps an average employer would follow to meet those

requirements.
Hazard Communication Guidelines for Compliance

2 Becoming Familiar with the Rule

OSHA has provided a simple summary of the HCS in a pamphlet

entitled Chemical Hazard Communication (OSHA 3084). Some

employers prefer to familiarize themselves with the rule’s requirements by reading this pamphlet. A single, free copy may be obtained

from your local OSHA Area Office, or by contacting the OSHA

Publications Office at (202) 693-1888.

The standard itself is long and some parts are technical, but the

basic concepts are simple. In fact, the requirements reflect what

many employers have been doing for years. You may find that you

already largely comply with many of the provisions and will simply

have to modify your existing programs somewhat. If you are operating in an OSHA-approved State Plan State, you must comply with

the State’s requirements, which may be different than those of the

Federal rule. Many of the State Plan States had hazard communication or “right-to-know” laws prior to promulgation of the federal

rule. Employers in State Plan States should contact their State

OSHA Offices for more information regarding applicable requirements. (See the list of contacts in “States with Approved Plans” at

the back of this booklet.)

The HCS requires information to be prepared and transmitted

regarding all hazardous chemicals. The HCS covers both physical

hazards (such as flammability) and health hazards (such as irritation,

lung damage, and cancer.) Most chemicals used in the workplace

have some hazard potential, and thus will be covered by the rule.

One difference between this rule and many others adopted by

OSHA is that this one is performance-oriented. That means you

have the flexibility to adapt the rule to the needs of your workplace,

rather than having to follow specific rigid requirements. It also

means that you have to exercise more judgment to implement an

appropriate and effective program.

The standard’s design is simple. Chemical manufacturers and

importers must evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce or

import. Using that information, they must then prepare labels for

containers and more detailed technical bulletins called material

safety data sheets (MSDSs).

Chemical manufacturers, importers, and distributors of hazardous

chemicals are all required to provide the appropriate labels and

material safety data sheets to the employers to whom they ship the
3

Becoming Familiar with the Rule

chemicals. The information must be provided automatically. Every

container of hazardous chemicals you receive must be labeled,

tagged, or marked with the required information. Your suppliers also

must send you a properly completed MSDS at the time of the first

shipment of the chemicals, and with the next shipment after the

MSDS is updated with new and significant information about the

hazards.

You can rely on the information received from your suppliers.

You have no independent duty to analyze the chemical or evaluate

the hazards of it.

Employers that “use” hazardous chemicals must have a program

to ensure the information is provided to exposed employees. “Use”

means to package, handle, react, or transfer. This is an intentionally

broad scope, and includes any situation where a chemical is present

in such a way that employees may be exposed under normal conditions of use or in a foreseeable emergency.

The requirements of the rule that deal specifically with the hazard

communication program are found in the standard in paragraphs (e),

written hazard communication programs; (f), labels and other forms

of warning; (g), material safety data sheets; and (h), employee

information and training. The requirements of these paragraphs

should be the focus of your attention. Concentrate on becoming

familiar with them, using paragraphs (b), scope and application, and

(c), definitions, as references when needed to help explain the

provisions.

There are two types of work operations where coverage of the rule

is limited. These are laboratories and operations where chemicals

are only handled in sealed containers (e.g., a warehouse). The

limited provisions for these workplaces can be found in paragraph

(b), scope and application. Basically, employers having these types

of work operations need only keep labels on containers as they are

received, maintain material safety data sheets that are received and

give employees access to them, and provide information and training

for employees. Employers do not have to have written hazard

communication programs and lists of chemicals for these types of

operations.

The limited coverage of laboratories and sealed container operations addresses the obligation of an employer to the workers in the
Hazard Communication Guidelines for Compliance

4

operations involved, and does not affect the employer’s duties as a

distributor of chemicals. For example, a distributor may have

warehouse operations where employees would be protected under the

limited sealed container provisions. In this situation, requirements

for obtaining and maintaining MSDSs are limited to providing access

to those received with containers while the substance is in the

workplace, and requesting MSDSs when employees request access

for those not received with the containers. However, as a distributor

of hazardous chemicals, that employer will still have responsibility

for providing MSDSs to downstream customers at the time of the

first shipment and when the MSDS is updated. Therefore, although

they may not be required for the employees in the work operation,

the distributor may, nevertheless, have to have MSDSs to satisfy

other requirements of the rule.
Identifying Responsible Staff 5

Identifying Responsible Staff

Hazard communication will be a continuing program in your

facility. Compliance with HCS is not a “one shot deal.” In order to

have a successful program, you must assign responsibility for both

the initial and ongoing activities that have to be undertaken to

comply with the rule. In some cases, these activities may be part of

current job assignments. For example, Site Supervisors are frequently responsible for on-the-job training sessions. Early identification of the responsible employees and their involvement in developing your action plan will result in a more effective program design.

Involving affected employees also will enhance the evaluation of the

effectiveness of your program.

For any safety and health program, success depends on commitment at every level of the organization. This is particularly true for

hazard communication, where success requires a change in behavior.

This will occur only if employers understand the program and are

committed to its success, and if the people presenting the information

motivate employees.
Hazard Communication Guidelines for Compliance

6 Identifying Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace

The standard requires a list of hazardous chemicals in the workplace as part of the written hazard communication program. The list

will eventually serve as an inventory of everything for which you

must maintain an MSDS. At this point, however, preparing the list

will help you complete the rest of the program since it will give you

some idea of the scope of the program required for compliance in

your facility.

The best way to prepare a comprehensive list is to survey the

workplace. Purchasing records also may help, and certainly employers should establish procedures to ensure that in the future purchasing procedures result in MSDSs being received before using a

material in the workplace.

The broadest possible perspective should be taken when doing the

survey. Sometimes people think of “chemicals” as being only liquids

in containers. The HCS covers chemicals in all physical forms—

liquids, solids, gases, vapors, fumes, and mists—whether they are

“contained” or not. The hazardous nature of the chemical and the

potential for exposure are the factors that determine whether a

chemical is covered. If it’s not hazardous, it’s not covered. If there

is no potential for exposure, (e.g., the chemical is inextricably bound

and cannot be released), the rule does not cover the chemical.

Look around. Identify the chemicals in containers, including

pipes, but also think about chemicals generated in the work operations. For example, welding fumes, dusts, and exhaust fumes are all

sources of chemical exposures. Read labels provided by the suppliers on hazard information. Make a list of all chemicals in the

workplace that are potentially hazardous. For your own information

and planning, you also may want to note on the list the location(s) of

the products within the workplace, and an indication of the hazards

as found on the label. This will help you as you prepare the rest of

your program.

Paragraph (b), scope and application, includes exemptions for

various chemicals or workplace situations. After compiling the

complete list of chemicals, you should review paragraph (b) to

determine if any of the items can be eliminated from the list because

they are exempted materials. For example, food, drugs, and cosmetics brought into the workplace for employee consumption are

exempt; rubbing alcohol in the first aid kit would not be covered.
7

Identifying Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace

Once you have compiled as complete a list as possible of the

potentially hazardous chemicals in the workplace, the next step is to

determine if you have received material safety data sheets for all of

them. Check your files against the inventory you have just compiled.

If any are missing, contact your supplier and request one. It is a

good idea to document these requests, either by copy of a letter or a

note regarding telephone conversations. If you have MSDSs for

chemicals that are not on your list, figure out why. Maybe you don’t

use the chemical anymore. Or maybe you missed it in your survey.

Some suppliers do provide MSDSs for products that are not hazardous. These do not have to be maintained by you. If you have

questions regarding the hazard status of a chemical, contact the

manufacturer, distributor, or importer.

You should not allow employees to use any chemicals for which

you have not received an MSDS. The MSDS provides information

you need to ensure you have implemented proper protective measures for exposure.
Hazard Communication Guidelines for Compliance

8 Preparing and Implementing a Hazard Communication Program

The HCS requires all workplaces where employees are exposed to

hazardous chemicals to have a written plan that describes how that

facility will implement the standard. Preparation of the plan is not

just a paper exercise—all of the elements must be implemented in

the workplace to comply with the rule. See paragraph (e) of the

standard for the specific requirements regarding written hazard

communication programs. The only work operations that do not

have to comply with the written plan requirements are laboratories

and work operations where employees only handle chemicals in

sealed containers. See paragraph (b), scope and application, for the

specific requirements for these two types of workplaces.

The plan does not have to be lengthy or complicated. It is intended to be a blueprint for implementing your program—an assurance that all aspects of the requirements have been addressed.

Many trade associations and other professional groups have

provided sample programs and other assistance materials to affect

employers. These have been very helpful to many employers since

they tend to be tailored to the particular industry involved. You may

wish to investigate whether your industry trade groups have developed such materials.

Although such general guidance may be helpful, you must remember that the written program has to reflect what you are doing in your

workplace. Therefore, if you use a generic program, you must adapt

it to address the facility it covers.

For example, the written plan must list the chemicals present at

the site and indicate where written materials will be made available

to employees. It also may indicate who is responsible for the various

aspects of the program in your facility.

If OSHA inspects your workplace for compliance with the HCS,

the OSHA compliance officer will ask to see your written plan at the

outset of the inspection. In general, the following items will be

considered in evaluating your program.

The written program must describe how the requirements for labels

and other forms of warning, materials safety data sheets, and employee information and training, are going to be met in your facility.

The following discussion provides the type of information compliance officers will be looking for to decide whether you have properly

addressed these elements of the hazard communication program.
9

Preparing and Implementing a Hazard Communication Program

Labels and Other Forms of Warning

In-plant containers of hazardous chemicals must be labeled,

tagged, or marked with the identity of the material and appropriate

hazard warnings. Chemical manufacturers, importers, and distributors must ensure that every container of hazardous chemicals they

ship is appropriately labeled with such information and with the

name and address of the producer or other responsible party. Employers purchasing chemicals can rely on the labels provided by their

suppliers. If the material is subsequently transferred by the employer

from a labeled container to another container, the employer will have

to label that container, unless it is subject to the portable container

exemption. See paragraph (f) for specific labeling requirements.

The primary information to be obtained from an OSHA-required

label is the identity for the material and appropriate hazard warnings.

The identity is any term which appears on the label, the MSDS, and

the list of chemicals, and thus links these three sources of information. The identity used by the supplier may be a common or trade

name (“Black Magic Formula”), or a chemical name (1, 1, 1 -

trichloroethane). The hazard warning is a brief statement of the

hazardous effects of the chemical (“flammable,” “causes lung

damage”). Labels frequently contain other information, such as

precautionary measures (“do not use near open flame”) but this

information is provided voluntarily and is not required by the rule.

Labels must be legible and prominently displayed. There are no

specific requirements for size or color or any specified test.

With these requirements in mind, the compliance officer will be

looking for the following types of information to ensure that labeling

is properly implemented in your facility:

• Designation of person(s) responsible for ensuring labeling of

in-plant containers;

• Designation of person(s) responsible for ensuring labeling of

any shipped container;

• Description of labeling system(s) used;

• Description of written alternatives to labeling of in-plant

containers (if used); and,

• Procedures to review and update label information when

necessary.
Hazard Communication Guidelines for Compliance

10

Employers that are purchasing and using hazardous chemicals—

rather than producing or distributing them—will primarily be concerned with ensuring that every purchased container is labeled. If

materials are transferred into other containers, the employer must

ensure that these are labeled as well, unless they fall under the

portable container exemption (paragraph f(7)). In terms of labeling

systems, you can choose to use the labels provided by your suppliers

on the containers. These will generally be verbal text labels, and do

not usually include numerical rating systems or symbols that require

special training. The most important thing to remember is that this is

a continuing duty—all in-plant containers of hazardous chemicals

must always be labeled. Therefore, it is important to designate

someone to be responsible for ensuring that the labels are maintained

as required on the containers in your facility and that newly purchased materials are checked for labels prior to use.

Material Safety Data Sheets

Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to obtain or

develop a material safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical they

produce or import. Distributors are responsible for ensuring that

their customers are provided a copy of these MSDSs. Employers

must have an MSDS for each hazardous chemical which they use.

Employers may rely on the information received from their suppliers.

The specific requirements for material safety data sheets are in

paragraph (g) of the standard.

There is no specific format for the MSDS under the rule, although

there are specific information requirements. OSHA has developed a

nonmandatory format, OSHA Form 174, which may be used by

chemical manufacturers and importers to comply with the rule. The

MSDS must be in English. You are entitled to receive from your

supplier a data sheet which includes all of the information required

under the rule. If you do not receive one automatically, you should

request one. If you receive one that is obviously inadequate, with,

for example, blank spaces that are not completed, you should request

an appropriately completed one. If your request for a data sheet or

for a corrected data sheet does not produce the information needed,

you should contact your local OSHA Area Office for assistance in

obtaining the MSDS.
11

Preparing and Implementing a Hazard Communication Program

Under the rule, the role of MSDSs is to provide detailed information on each hazardous chemical, including its potential hazardous

effects, its physical and chemical characteristics, and recommendations for appropriate protective measures. This information should

be useful to you as the employer responsible for designing protective

programs, as well as to the workers. If you are not familiar with

material safety data sheets and with chemical terminology, you may

need to learn to use them yourself. A glossary of MSDS terms may

be helpful in this regard. Generally speaking, most employers using

hazardous chemicals will primarily be concerned with MSDS

information regarding hazardous effects and recommended protective

measures. Focus on the sections of the MSDS that are applicable to

your situation.

MSDSs must be readily accessible to employees when they are in

their work areas during their workshifts. This may be accomplished

in many different ways. You must decide what is appropriate for

your particular workplace. Some employers keep the MSDSs in a

binder in a central location (e.g., in the pickup truck on a construction site.) Others, particularly in workplaces with large numbers of

chemicals, computerize the information and provide access through

terminals. As long as employees can get the information when they

need it, any approach may be used. The employees must have access

to the MSDSs themselves—simply having a system where the

information can be read to them over the phone is permitted only

under the mobile worksite provision, paragraph (g)(9), when employees must travel between workplaces during the shift. In this situation, they have access to the MSDSs prior to leaving the primary

worksite, and when they return, so the telephone system is simply an

emergency arrangement.

In order to ensure that you have a current MSDS for each chemical in the plant as required, and that you provide employee access,

the compliance officers will be looking for the following types of

information in your written program:

• Designation of person(s) responsible for obtaining and maintaining the MSDSs;

• How such sheets are to be maintained in the workplace (e.g., in

notebooks in the work area(s) or in a computer with terminal

access), and how employees can obtain access to them when

they are in their work area during the workshift;
Hazard Communication Guidelines for Compliance

12

• Procedures to follow when the MSDS is not received at the

time of the first shipment;

• For producers, procedures to update the MSDS when new and

significant health information is found; and,

• Description of alternatives to actual data sheets in the workplace, if used.

For employers using hazardous chemicals, the most important

aspect of the written program in terms of MSDSs is to ensure that

someone is responsible for obtaining and maintaining the MSDSs for

every hazardous chemical in the workplace. The list of hazardous

chemicals required to be maintained as part of the written program

will serve as an inventory. As new chemicals are purchased, the list

should be updated. Many companies have found it convenient to

include on their purchase order the name and address of the person

designated in their company to receive MSDSs.

Employee Information and Training

Each employee who may be “exposed” to hazardous chemicals

when working must be provided information and be trained prior to

initial assignment to work with a hazardous chemical, and whenever

the hazard changes. “Exposure” or “exposed” under the rule means

that an employee is subjected to a hazardous chemical in the course

of employment through any route of entry (inhalation, ingestion, skin

contact, or absorption) and includes potential (e.g., accidental or

possible) exposure. See paragraph (h) of the standard for specific

requirements. Information and training may be done either by

individual chemical, or by categories of hazards (such as flammability or carcinogenicity). If there are only a few chemicals in the

workplace, then you may want to discuss each one individually.

Where there are a large number of chemicals, or the chemicals

change frequently, you will probably want to train generally based on

the hazard categories (e.g., flammable liquids, corrosive materials,

carcinogens). Employees will have access to the substance-specific

information on the labels and MSDSs. Employers must ensure,

however, that employees are made aware of which hazard category a

chemical falls within.

Information and training are a critical part of the hazard communication program. Workers obtain information regarding hazards and
13

protective measures through written labels and material safety data

sheets. It is through effective information and training, however, that

workers will learn to read and understand such information, determine how to acquire and use it in their own workplace, and understand the risks of exposure to the chemical in their workplaces as

well as the ways to protect themselves. A properly conducted

training program will ensure comprehension and understanding. It is

not sufficient to either just read material to the workers or simply

hand them material to read. You want to create a climate where

workers feel free to ask questions. This will help you to ensure that

the information is understood. You must always remember that the

underlying purpose of the HCS is to reduce the incidence of chemical source illnesses and injuries. This will be accomplished by

modifying behavior through the provision of hazard information and

information about protective measures. If your program works, you

and your workers will better understand the chemical hazards within

the workplace. The procedures you establish, regarding, for example, purchasing, storage, and handling of these chemicals will

improve, and thereby reduce the risks posed to employees exposed to

the chemical hazards involved. Furthermore, your workers’ comprehension also will be increased, and proper work practices will be

followed in your workplace.

If you are going to do the training yourself, you will have to

understand the material and be prepared to motivate the workers to

learn. This is not always an easy task, but the benefits are worth the

effort. More information regarding appropriate training can be found

in Training Requirements in OSHA Standards and Training Guidelines (OSHA 2254), which contains voluntary training guidelines

prepared by OSHA’s Training Institute. A copy of this document is

available from the Superintendent of Documents, Government

Printing Office, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954; (202)

512-1800.

When reviewing your written program regarding information and

training, consider the following items:

• Designation of person(s) responsible for conducting training;

• Format of the program used (audiovisuals, class room

instruction);

• Elements of the training programs (should be consistent with

the elements in paragraph (h) of the HCS); and,

Preparing and Implementing a Hazard Communication Program
Hazard Communication Guidelines for Compliance

14

• Procedure to train new employees at the time of their initial

assignment to work with a hazardous chemical, and to train

employees when introducing a new hazard into the workplace.

The written program should provide enough details about the

employer’s plans in this area to assess whether or not a good faith

effort is being made to train employees. OSHA does not expect that

every workers will be able to recite all the information about each

chemical in the workplace. In general, the most important aspects of

training under the HCS are to ensure that employees are aware that

they are exposed to hazardous chemicals, that they know how to read

and use labels and material safety data sheets, and that, as a consequence of learning this information, they are following the appropriate protective measures established by the employer. OSHA compliance officers will be talking to employees to determine if they have

received training, if they know they are exposed to hazardous chemicals, and if they know where to obtain substance specific information

on labels and MSDSs.

The rule does not require employers to maintain records of

employee training, but many employers choose to do so. This may

help you monitor your own program to ensure that you have trained

all employees appropriately. If you already have a training program,

you may simply have to supplement it with whatever additional

information is required under the HCS. For example, construction

employers that are already in compliance with the construction

training standard (29 CFR 1926.21 ) will have little extra training to

do.

An employer can provide employees information and training

through whatever means found appropriate and protective. Although

there would always have to be some training on site (such as informing employees of the location and availability of the written program

and MSDSs), employee training may be satisfied in part by general

training about the requirements of the HCS which is provided by, for

example, trade associations, unions, colleges, and professional

schools. In addition, previous training, education, and experience of

a worker may relieve the employer of some of the burdens of information and training that worker. Regardless of the method relied

upon, however, the employer is always ultimately responsible for

ensuring that employees are adequately trained. If the compliance
15

officer finds that the training is deficient, the employer will be cited

for the deficiency regardless of who actually provided the training on

behalf of the employer.

In addition to these specific items, compliance officers also will be

asking the following questions in assessing the adequacy of the

program:

• Does a list of the hazardous chemicals exist in each work area

or at a central location?

• Are methods the employer will use to inform employees of the

hazards of non-routine tasks outlined?

• Are employees informed of the hazards associated with chemicals contained in unlabeled pipes in their work areas?

• On multi-employer worksites, has the employer provided other

employers with information about labeling systems and precautionary measures where the other employers have employees

exposed to the initial employer’s chemicals?

• Is the written program made available to employees and their

designated representatives?

If your program adequately addresses the means of communicating information to employees in your workplace and provides

answers to the basic questions outlined above, it will comply with the

rule.

Preparing and Implementing a Hazard Communication Program
Hazard Communication Guidelines for Compliance

16 Checklist for Compliance

The following checklist will help to ensure you comply with the

rule:

• Obtained a copy of the rule.

• Read and understood the requirements.

• Assigned responsibility for tasks.

• Prepared an inventory of chemicals.

• Ensured containers are labeled.

• Obtained MSDS for each chemical.

• Prepared written program.

• Made MSDSs available to workers.

• Conducted training of workers.

• Established procedures to maintain current program.

• Established procedures to evaluate effectiveness.
17

Further Assistance

Further Assistance

If you have a question regarding compliance with HCS, you

should contact your local OSHA Area Office for assistance. In

addition, each OSHA Regional Office has a Hazard Communication

Coordinator who can answer your questions. Free consultation

services also are available to assist employers, and information

regarding these services can be obtained through the OSHA Area and

Regional Offices as well (see lists at the end of this booklet).
Hazard Communication Guidelines for Compliance

18 Other Sources of OSHA Assistance

Safety and Health Program Management

Effective management of worker safety and health protection is a

decisive factor in reducing the extent and severity of work-related

injuries and illnesses and their related costs. To assist employers and

employees in developing effective safety and health programs, OSHA

published recommended Safety and Health Program Management

Guidelines (Federal Register 54(18):3908-3916, January 26, 1989).

These voluntary guidelines apply to all places of employment covered

by OSHA.

The guidelines identify four general elements that are critical to the

development of a successful safety and health management program:

• management commitment and employee involvement;

• worksite analysis;

• hazard prevention and control; and

• safety and health training.

The guidelines recommend specific actions under each of these

general elements to achieve an effective safety and health program. A

single, free copy of the guidelines can be obtained from the U.S.

Department of Labor, OSHA Publications, P.O. Box 37535, Washington, DC 20013-7535, by sending a self-addressed mailing label with

your request.

State Programs

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 encourages states

to develop and operate their own job safety and health plans. States

with plans approved under section 18(b) of the OSH Act must adopt

standards and enforce requirements that are at least as effective as

federal requirements. There are currently 25 state plan states: 23 of

these states administer plans covering both private and public (state

and local public government) employees; the other two states, Connecticut and New York, cover public employees only. Plan states

must adopt standards comparable to federal requirements within six

months of a federal standard’s promulgation. Until such time as a

state standard is promulgated, Federal OSHA provides interim

enforcement assistance, as appropriate, in these states. A listing of

approved state plans appear at the end of this publication.
19

Other Sources of OSHA Assistance

Consultation Services

Consultation assistance is available on request to employers who

want help in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthful

workplace. Largely funded by OSHA, the service is provided at no

cost to the employer. Primarily developed for smaller employers

with more hazardous operations, the consultation service is delivered

by state government agencies or universities employing professional

safety consultants and health consultants. Comprehensive assistance

includes an appraisal of all work practices and environmental hazards

of the workplace and all aspects of the employer’s present job safety

and health program.

The program is separate from OSHA’s inspection efforts. No

penalties are proposed or citations issued for any safety or health

problems identified by the consultant. The service is confidential.

For more information concerning consultation assistance, see the

list of consultation projects at the end of this publication.

Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)

Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) and onsite consultation

services, when coupled with an effective enforcement program,

expand worker protection to help meet the goals of the OSH Act.

The three VPPs—Star, Merit, and Demonstration—are designed to

recognize outstanding achievement by companies that have successfully incorporated comprehensive safety and health programs into

their total management system. They motivate others to achieve

excellent safety and health results in the same outstanding way as

they establish a cooperative relationship among employers, employees, and OSHA.

For additional information on VPP and how to apply, contact your

nearest OSHA area or regional office listed at the end of this

publication.

Training and Education

OSHA Area Offices offer a variety of information services, such

as publications, audiovisual aids, technical advice, and speakers for

special engagements. The OSHA Training Institute in Des Plaines,
Hazard Communication Guidelines for Compliance

20

IL, provides basic and advanced courses in safety and health for

federal and state compliance officers, state consultants, federal

agency personnel, and private sector employers, employees, and their

representatives.

OSHA also provides funds to nonprofit organizations, through

grants to conduct workplace training and education in subjects where

OSHA believes there is a lack of workplace training. Grants are

awarded annually and grant recipients arc expected to contribute 20

percent of the total grant cost.

For more information on grants, training, and education, contact

the OSHA Training Institute, Office of Training and Education, 1555

Times Drive, Des Plaines, IL 60018, (847) 297-4810; (847)

297-4874 fax.

Electronic Information

Internet-OSHA standards, interpretations, directives, and additional information are now on the World Wide Web at

http://www.osha.gov/ and http://www.osha-slc.gov/.

CD-ROM—A wide variety of OSHA materials, including standards, interpretations, directives, and more can be purchased on

CD-ROM from the U.S. Government Printing Office. To order,

write to the Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954,

Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954, or phone (202) 512-1800. Specify

OSHA Regulations, Documents, and Technical Information on

CD-ROM (ORDT), GPO Order NO. S/N 729-013-00000-5. The

price is $48 per year ($57.50 foreign); $17 per single copy ($21.25

foreign).

Emergencies

For life-threatening situations, call (800) 32 1 -OSHA. Complaints will go immediately to the nearest OSHA area or state office

for help.

For further information on any OSHA program, contact your

nearest OSHA area or regional office listed at the end of this

publication.
States with Approved Plans

OSHA Related Publications 21

OSHA Related Publications

Single free copies of the following publications can be obtained

from the OSHA Publications Office, P.0. Box 37535, Washington,

DC 20013-7535. Send a self-addressed mailing label with your

request.

All About OSHA – OSHA 2056

Chemical Hazard Communication – OSHA 3084

Consultation Services for the Employer – OSHA 3074

Employee Workplace Rights – OSHA 3021

Employer Rights and Responsibilities Following an OSHA

Inspection – OSHA 3000

How to Prepare for Workplace Emergencies – OSHA 3088

OSHA Inspections – OSHA 2098

Personal Protective Equipment – OSHA 3077

Respiratory Protection – OSHA 3079

The following publications may be ordered at cost, from the

Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,

Washington DC 20402, (202) 512-1800. Include GPO Order No.

and make checks payable to Superintendent of Documents.

Code of Federal Regulations – Title 29, Part 1926

Construction (OSHA) ($30)

Order No. S/N 869-038-00107-1

OSHA Safety and Health Standards (29 CFR 1910.1000 to End)

($28) Order No. S/N 869-038-00105-5.

Handbook for Small Business – OSHA 2209 ($7.50)

Order No. 029-016-00176-0.
Hazard Communication Guidelines for Compliance

22 States with Approved Plans

Commissioner

Alaska Department of Labor

1111 West 8th Street

Room 304

Juneau, AK 99801-1149

(907) 465-2700

Director

Industrial Commission of Arizona

800 W. Washington

Phoenix, AZ 85007-2922

(602) 542-5795

Director

California Department

 of Industrial Relations

455 Golden Gate Avenue -

 10th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94102

(415) 703-5050

Commissioner

Connecticut Department of Labor

200 Folly Brook Boulevard

Wethersfield, CT 06109

(860) 566-5123

Director

Hawaii Department of Labor

 and Industrial Relations

830 Punchbowl Street

Honolulu, HI 96813

(808) 586-8844

Commissioner

Indiana Department of Labor

 State Office Building

402 West Washington Street

Room W195

Indianapolis, IN 46204-2751

(317) 232-2378

Commissioner

Iowa Division of Labor Services

1000 E. Grand Avenue

Des Moines, IA 50319-0209

(515) 281-3447

Secretary

Kentucky Labor Cabinet

1047 U.S. Highway, 127 South,

 Suite 4

Frankfort, KY 40601

(502) 564-3070

Commissioner

Maryland Division of Labor

 and Industry

Department of Labor, Licensing,

 and Regulation

1100 N. Eutaw Street,

Room 613

Baltimore, MD 21201-2206

(410) 767-2215
23

States with Approved Plans

Director

Michigan Department

 of Consumer and Industry

 Services

P.O. Box 30643

Lansing, MI 48909-8143

(517) 322-1814

Commissioner

Minnesota Department of Labor

 and Industry

443 Lafayette Road

St. Paul, MN 55155-4307

(651) 296-2342

Administrator

Nevada Division of Industrial

 Relations

400 West King Street

Carson City, NV 89710

(775) 687-3032

Secretary

New Mexico Environment

 Department

1190 St. Francis Drive

P.O. Box 26110

Santa Fe, NM 87502

(505) 827-2850

Commissioner

New York Department of Labor

W. Averell Harriman State Office

 Building - 12, Room 500

Albany, NY 12240

(518) 457-2741

Commissioner

North Carolina Department

 of Labor

4 West Edenton Street

Raleigh, NC 27601-1092

(919) 807-7166

Administrator

Department of Consumer

 and Business Services

Occupational Safety and Health

 Division (OR-OSHA)

350 Winter Street, NE,

 Room 430

Salem, OR 97310-0220

(503) 378-3272

Secretary

Puerto Rico Department

 of Labor and Human Resources

Prudencio Rivera Martinez

 Building

505 Munoz Rivera Avenue

Hato Rey, PR 00918

(787) 754-2119
Hazard Communication Guidelines for Compliance

24

Commissioner

Virginia Department of Labor

 and Industry

Powers-Taylor Building

13 South 13th Street

Richmond, VA 23219

(804) 786-2377

Commissioner

Virgin Islands Department

 of Labor

2203 Church Street

Christiansted

St. Croix, VI 00820-4660

(340) 773-1994

Director

Washington Department

 of Labor and Industries

P.O. Box 44001

Olympia, WA 98504-4001

(360) 902-4200

Administrator

Worker’s Safety and

 Compensation Division (WSC)

Wyoming Department

 of Employment

Herschler Building,

 2nd Floor East

122 West 25th Street

Cheyenne, WY 82002

(307) 777-7786

Director

South Carolina Department

 of Labor, Licensing, and

 Regulation

Koger Office Park,

 Kingstree Building

110 Centerview Drive

P.O. Box 11329

Columbia, SC 29210

(803) 896-4300

Commissioner

Tennessee Department of Labor

Attention: Robert Taylor

710 James Robertson Parkway

Nashville, TN 37243-0659

(615) 741-2582

Commissioner

Labor Commission of Utah

160 East 300 South, 3rd Floor

P.O. Box 146650

Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6650

(801) 530-6898

Commissioner

Vermont Department

 of Labor and Industry

National Life Building -

 Drawer 20

National Life Drive

Montpelier, VT 05620-3401

(802) 828-5098
OSHA Consultation Project Directory

OSHA Consultation Project Directory

25

State Telephone

Alabama ...................................................................... (205) 348-3033

Alaska ......................................................................... (907) 269-4957

Arizona ....................................................................... (602) 542-1695

Arkansas ..................................................................... (501) 682-4522

California .................................................................... (415) 703-5270

Colorado ..................................................................... (970) 491-6151

Connecticut ................................................................. (860) 566-4550

Delaware ..................................................................... (302) 761-8219

District of Columbia ................................................... (202) 576-6339

Florida......................................................................... (850) 922-8955

Georgia ....................................................................... (404) 894-2643

Guam ............................................................. ..... 011(671) 475-0136

Hawaii ......................................................................... (808) 586-9100

Idaho ........................................................................... (208) 426-3283

Illinois ......................................................................... (312) 814-2337

Indiana ........................................................................ (317) 232-2688

Iowa ............................................................................ (515) 281-7162

Kansas......................................................................... (785) 296-7476

Kentucky ..................................................................... (502) 564-6895

Louisiana .................................................................... (504) 342-9601

Maine .......................................................................... (207) 624-6460

Maryland..................................................................... (410) 880-4970

Massachusetts ............................................................. (617) 727-3982

Michigan ..................................................................... (517) 322-6823(H)

............................................................................... (517) 322-1809(S)

Minnesota ................................................................... (612) 297-2393

Mississippi .................................................................. (601) 987-3981

Missouri ...................................................................... (573) 751-3403

Montana ...................................................................... (406) 444-6418

Nebraska ..................................................................... (402) 471-4717

Nevada ........................................................................ (702) 486-9140

New Hampshire .......................................................... (603) 271-2024

New Jersey .................................................................. (609) 292-3923

New Mexico ............................................................... (505) 827-4230

New York .................................................................... (518) 457-2238

North Carolina ............................................................ (919) 807-2905

North Dakota .............................................................. (701) 328-5188

Ohio ............................................................................ (614) 644-2246

Oklahoma ................................................................... (405) 528-1500
Hazard Communication Guidelines for Compliance

26

Oregon ........................................................................ (503) 378-3272

Pennsylvania ............................................................... (724) 357-2396

Puerto Rico ................................................................. (787) 754-2171

Rhode Island ............................................................... (401) 222-2438

South Carolina ............................................................ (803) 734-9614

South Dakota .............................................................. (605) 688-4101

Tennessee .................................................................... (615) 741-7036

Texas ........................................................................... (512) 804-4640

Utah ............................................................................ (801) 530-6901

Vermont ...................................................................... (802) 828-2765

Virginia ....................................................................... (804) 786-6359

Virgin Islands .............................................................. (340) 772-1315

Washington ................................................................. (360) 902-5638

West Virginia .............................................................. (304) 558-7890

Wisconsin ................................................................... (608) 266-8579(H)

............................................................................... (262) 523-3040(S)

Wyoming .................................................................... (307) 777-7786

(H) - Health

(S) - Safety
OSHA Area Offices 27

OSHA Area Offices

Area Telephone

Albany, NY ................................................................. (518) 464-4338

Albuquerque, NM ....................................................... (505) 248-5302

Allentown, PA............................................................. (610) 776-0592

Anchorage, AK ........................................................... (907) 271-5152

Appleton, WI .............................................................. (920) 734-4521

Austin, TX .................................................................. (512) 916-5783

Avenel, NJ .................................................................. (908) 750-3270

Bangor, ME ................................................................ (207) 941-8179

Baton Rouge, LA ........................................................ (225) 389-0474

Bayside, NY ............................................................... (718) 279-9060

Bellevue, WA .............................................................. (206) 553-7520

Billings, MT ............................................................... (406) 247-7494

Birmingham, AL ......................................................... (205) 731-1534

Bismarck, ND ............................................................. (701) 250-4521

Boise, ID ..................................................................... (208) 321-2960

Bowmansville, NY ..................................................... (716) 684-3891

Braintree, MA ............................................................. (617) 565-6924

Bridgeport, CT ............................................................ (203) 579-5516

Calumet City, IL ......................................................... (708) 891-3800

Carson City, NV ......................................................... (702) 885-6963

Charleston, WV .......................................................... (304) 347-5937

Cincinnati, OH ............................................................ (513) 841-4132

Cleveland, OH ............................................................ (216) 522-3818

Columbia, SC ............................................................. (803) 765-5904

Columbus, OH ............................................................ (614) 469-5582

Concord, NH............................................................... (603) 225-1629

Corpus Christi, TX ..................................................... (512) 888-3420

Dallas, TX ................................................................... (214) 320-2400

Denver, CO ................................................................. (303) 844-5285

Des Plaines, IL............................................................ (847) 803-4800

Des Moines, IA ........................................................... (515) 284-4794

Eau Claire, WI ............................................................ (715) 832-9019

El Paso, TX ................................................................. (915) 534-6251

Englewood, CO .......................................................... (303) 843-4500

Erie, PA ....................................................................... (814) 833-5758

Fairview Heights, IL ................................................... (618) 632-8612

Fort Lauderdale, FL .................................................... (954) 424-0242

Fort Worth, TX ........................................................... (817) 428-2470

Frankfort, KY ............................................................. (502) 227-7024

Guaynabo, PR ............................................................. (787) 277-1560

Harrisburg, PA ............................................................ (717) 782-3902

Hartford, CT ............................................................... (860) 240-3152

Hasbrouck Heights, NJ ............................................... (201) 288-1700

Honolulu, HI ............................................................... (808) 541-2685

Houston, TX ............................................................... (281) 286-0583
Hazard Communication Guidelines for Compliance

28

Houston, TX ............................................................... (281) 591-2438

Indianapolis, IN .......................................................... (317) 226-7290

Jackson, MS ................................................................ (601) 965-4606

Jacksonville, FL .......................................................... (904) 232-2895

Kansas City, MO ........................................................ (816) 483-9531

Linthicum, MD ........................................................... (410) 865-2055

Little Rock, AR ........................................................... (501) 324-6291

Lubbock, TX ............................................................... (806) 472-7681

Madison, WI ............................................................... (608) 441-5388

Marlton, NJ ................................................................. (609) 757-5181

Methuen, MA ............................................................. (617) 565-8110

Milwaukee, WI ........................................................... (414) 297-3315

Minneapolis, MN ........................................................ (612) 664-5460

Mobile, AL ................................................................. (334) 441-6131

Nashville, TN.............................................................. (615) 781-5423

New York, NY ............................................................ (212) 466-2482

Norfolk, VA ................................................................ (757) 441-3820

North Aurora, IL ......................................................... (630) 896-8700

Oklahoma City, OK .................................................... (405) 231-5351

Omaha, NE ................................................................. (402) 221-3182

Parsippany, NJ ............................................................ (201) 263-1003

Peoria, IL .................................................................... (309) 671-7033

Philadelphia, PA ......................................................... (215) 597-4955

Phoenix, AZ ................................................................ (602) 640-2007

Pittsburgh, PA ............................................................. (412) 395-4903

Portland, ME............................................................... (207) 780-3178

Portland, OR ............................................................... (503) 326-2251

Providence, RI ............................................................ (401) 528-4663

Raleigh, NC ................................................................ (919) 856-4770

Sacramento, CA .......................................................... (916) 566-7470

Salt Lake City, UT ...................................................... (801) 487-0680

San Diego, CA ............................................................ (619) 557-2909

Savannah, GA ............................................................. (912) 652-4393

Smyrna, GA ................................................................ (770) 984-8700

Springfield, MA .......................................................... (413) 785-0123

St. Louis, MO ............................................................. (314) 425-4249

Syracuse, NY .............................................................. (315) 451-0808

Tampa, FL ................................................................... (813) 626-1177

Tarrytown, NY ............................................................ (914) 524-7510

Toledo, OH ................................................................. (419) 259-7542

Tucker, GA ................................................................. (770) 493-6644

Westbury, NY ............................................................. (516) 334-3344

Wichita, KS ................................................................ (316) 269-6644

Wilkes-Barre, PA ........................................................ (717) 826-6538

Wilmington, DE .......................................................... (302) 573-6115
OSHA Regional Offices

Region I

(CT,* MA, ME, NH, RI, VT*)

JFK Federal Building

Room E-340

Boston, MA 02203

Telephone: (617) 565-9860

Region II

(NJ, NY,* PR,* VI*)

201 Varick Street

Room 670

New York, NY 10014

Telephone: (212) 337-2378

Region III

(DC, DE, MD,* PA, VA,* WV)

The Curtis Center - Suite 740 West

170 S. Independence Mall West

Philadelphia, PA 19106-3309

Telephone: (215) 861-4900

Region IV

(AL, FL, GA, KY,* MS, NC,*

SC,* TN*)

Atlanta Federal Center

61 Forsyth Street, SW, Room 6T50

Atlanta, GA 30303

Telephone: (404) 562-2300

Region V

(IL, IN,* MI,* MN,* OH, WI)

230 South Dearborn Street

Room 3244

Chicago, IL 60604

Telephone: (312) 353-2220

*These states and territories operate their own OSHA-approved job safety

and health programs (Connecticut and New York plans cover public employees

only). States with approved programs must have a standard that is identical to,

or at least as effective as, the federal standard.

Region VI

(AR, LA, MN,* OK, TX)

525 Griffin Street

Room 602

Dallas, TX 75202

Telephone: (214) 767-4731

Region VII

(IA,* KS, MO, NE)

City Center Square

1100 Main Street, Suite 800

Kansas City, MO 64105

Telephone: (816) 426-5861

Region VIII

(CO, MT, ND, SD, UT,* WY*)

1999 Broadway

Suite 1690

Denver, CO 80802-5716

Telephone: (303) 844-1600

Region IX

(American Samoa, AZ,* CA,*

Guam, HI,* NV,* Trust

Territories of the Pacific)

71 Stevenson Street

4th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94105

Telephone: (415) 975-4310

Region X

(AK,* ID, OR,* WA*)

1111 Third Avenue

Suite 715

Seattle, WA 98101-3212

Telephone: (206) 553-5930

OSHA Regional Offices