When most people hear Hazard Communication, they immediately think of labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs). While that’s a great starting point, there’s much more to OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard than just these two elements. Together, labels and SDSs form the foundation of chemical safety in the workplace, helping employees understand risks and protect themselves from hazardous exposures.
At the core of this system is the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), which standardizes how chemical hazards are classified and communicated across industries. This ensures consistency, clarity, and improved safety no matter where you work.
GHS Labels: Your First Line of Defense
GHS-compliant labels provide a quick, at-a-glance summary of a chemical’s hazards. These labels are required on all containers shipped by manufacturers and must include key information such as:
- Signal words (e.g., Danger or Warning)
- Hazard statements
- Precautionary statements
- Pictograms
- Product identifiers
These elements are designed to immediately communicate the level and type of risk associated with a chemical.
However, safety doesn’t stop at the original container. In many workplaces, chemicals are transferred into secondary containers for daily use. OSHA requires that these containers are also properly labeled. Even if the container is smaller or used temporarily, employees must still be able to clearly identify the chemical and understand its hazards.
Failing to label secondary containers is one of the most common compliance gaps and can lead to serious safety risks.
