The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is OSHA's way of ensuring safety to employees who potentially come in contact with hazardous chemicals. Those who manufacture or import chemicals must assess their hazards, as well as create labels and safety data sheets (SDS) that inform their customers of the potential dangers. Workplaces that contain hazardous chemicals must have clearly displayed labels and supply the SDS to employees who may come in contact with them. Employees must also be trained on proper handling of hazardous chemicals.

 

OSHA has chosen to align their Hazard Communication Standard with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. The goal is to improve the "quality and consistency of hazard information, making it safer for workers to do their jobs and easier for employers to stay competitive," says U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis.

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The new Globally Harmonized System (GHS) is a standardized system of identifying hazardous chemicals and it is used internationally. These standards have been created over several years in collaboration between hazard communication experts from across the globe, including representatives from OSHA.  Compliance by employers with the GHS standards has been required since June 1, 2015, no distributor can ship chemical containers unless it has a GHS compliant label.