fast facts Workers’ Right to Know: 

What you should know about workplace chemicals

March 2009 

Office of Compliance 

advancing safety, health, and workplace rights in the legislative branch 

www.compliance.gov 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hazard Communication (HAZCOM) Standard, 29 

CFR §1910.1200, is a “performance standard.” That means the standard doesn’t prescribe each step of a program. It 

gives the expected results rather than how to get there. For example, training records aren’t required. If you are an employee in a workplace where hazardous chemicals are present, you must be able to describe the hazards of the chemical 

products[1] in the workplace and what measures are used to avoid those hazards. 

 If your workplace has chemicals present, HAZCOM requires your employer to train you (1) when you’re initially 

assigned and (2) whenever a new or different product, which presents a new hazard, is introduced into the workplace. 

This training must be effective. To be effective, it must enable you to understand the hazards in the workplace 

without having to look at the material safety data sheets (MSDSs). The ability to understand MSDSs is important when 

additional information is needed; therefore, you must be able to find them and understand how to read them. But your 

knowledge, not the MSDS, is your first line of defense against chemical hazards. 

______________ 

[1] Hazardous chemicals include pure products (for example – perchloroethylene in a degreaser) and mixtures containing a hazardous 

chemical that is at least 1% by volume, or 0.5% if the hazardous chemical is a listed carcinogen (for example – spray paint containing 

more than 1% toluene). 

You must be informed of ... 

• The requirements of the HAZCOM Standard; 

• Any operations in the work area where hazardous chemicals are present; and 

• The location and availability of the written HAZCOM program, including the comprehensive 

list of hazardous chemicals and MSDSs. 

You must be trained to know... 

• The methods and observations used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in 

the work area; 

• The physical hazards and health hazards of the chemicals in the work area; 

• The measures used to prevent or protect against hazards, including specific procedures implemented to protect employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals; and 

• The details of the HAZCOM Program, including how materials must be labeled, where to find 

MSDSs and the inventory of chemicals, and how to obtain and use the information. 

A good way to make sure you have been effectively trained is to review the chemicals used in your 

area and ask yourself: 

• Do I understand what the hazards are and how to protect myself? Can I find the MSDSs for 

these materials? Can I explain what they mean? 

• If you can’t discuss the hazards and controls, or can’t understand what the information is on the 

MSDS, the training has not been effective. 
 

This information does not constitute advice or an official ruling of the Office of Compliance or the Board of Directors 

and is intended for educational purposes only. For further information or comments concerning this Fast Facts, please 

refer to the Congressional Accountability Act (2 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.) and the regulations issued by the Board, or you 

may contact the Office of Compliance, 202-724-9249.

The Office of Compliance advances safety, health, 

and workplace rights in the U.S. Congress and the 

Legislative Branch. Established as an independent 

agency by the Congressional Accountability Act of 

1995, the Office educates employees and employing 

offices about their rights and responsibilities under 

the Act, provides an impartial dispute resolution 

process, and investigates and remedies violations of 

the Act. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to 

contact the Office of Compliance: 

Room LA 200, John Adams Building 

110 Second Street, SE 

Washington, D.C. 20540 

t/ 202-724-9250 

tdd/ 202-426-1912 

f/ 202-426-1913 

Peter Ames Eveleth 

General Counsel 

Mary-Margaret 

Smith 

Editor 

Download the entire Fast Facts suite at http://www.compliance.gov 

Fast Stats 

Relevant OSHA Standards 

 29 CFR §1910.1200, Hazard Communication 

 29 CFR §1910.1450, Occupational Exposure to Chemicals in Laboratories 

 29 CFR §1910, Subpart Z, Toxic and Hazardous Substances 

For More Information

• Safe Use and Handling of Hazardous Chemical Products Fast Fact at the OOC website, http://www.compliance.gov . 

• Hazard Communication – Common Traps and Helpful Hints in Tools at the OOC website, http://www.compliance.gov . 

Checklist for Effective HAZCOM Training

Each employee in a workplace covered by HAZCOM should be able to answer the following questions. If you can answer these questions with 

confidence concerning the hazardous chemicals that employees currently use, then the HAZCOM training can be considered effective. If not, the 

training course and methods may need to be modified and the training redone. 

• Where is my employer’s written Hazard Communication Program? 

• Where is the current and comprehensive list (inventory) of hazardous chemicals present in the workplace? 

• Where is a copy of 29 CFR §1910.1200, the Hazard Communication standard? 

• Where are the MSDSs for the chemicals present in my workplace? 

• How will my employer inform me on the subject of the chemical hazards and protective measures associated with non-routine work 

tasks? 

• Where are the labels I will use to identify containers (cans, bottles, cups, etc.) after I have transferred hazardous chemicals into them? 

• If bulk tanks of hazardous chemicals are present in my workplace, how do I identify their contents and hazards? 

• If employees of other employers (contractors, for example) use hazardous chemicals in my workplace, where can I find the MSDSs for 

these chemicals? 

• Which chemicals that I work with pose eye hazards, skin hazards, and/or inhalation hazards? 

• How can I detect the presence or a release of these chemicals? 

• What work practices, emergency procedures, and/or personal protective equipment should I use to protect myself from these 

hazards? 

• Which chemicals that I work with are flammable, explosive, and/or reactive? 

• How can I detect the presence or a release of these chemicals? 

• What work practices, emergency procedures, and/or personal protective equipment should I use to protect myself from exposure to these hazards? 

• Which chemicals that I work with are known or suspected to cause cancer in humans? 

• How can I detect the presence or a release of these chemicals? 

• What work practices, emergency procedures, and/or personal protective equipment should I use to protect myself from exposure to these hazards? 

• Which chemicals that I work with have additional requirements in OSHA substance-specific standards? 

• How can I detect a release of these chemicals? 

• What work practices, emergency procedures, and personal protective equipment should I use to protect myself from exposure to 

these hazards?