OSHA 3111, Hazard Communication Guidelines for Compliance, and 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.

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.

Some 70,000 hazardous materials are in various workplaces across the country...regulated by the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard not only for chemical manufacturers and distributors, but soon, for all other U.S. manufacturers—and many others as well. This guide provides a step-by-step understanding of the standard. With this book you should be able to plan, organize and operate your company's Hazard Communication Program...to protect your employees (and your company) as required by OSHA. This handbook is especially intended for use by industrial hygienists, safety directors, safety engineers, occupational health departments, managers, environmental engineers, legal staff, and consultants. Hazard Communication and OSHA Requirements explains carefully in non-legalistic terms just what will be required, and when. But even more important, it explains in detail, with examples where appropriate.

Using the simple and effective checklist method, this book offers a convenient and efficient way to comply with complicated federal regulations and to help your employees understand the dangers of the hazardous materials in your workplace. Written by the authors of Safety Made Easy, Hazard Communication Made Easy provides you with a practical guide to creating and implementing a complete Hazard Communication Program. You'll find sample forms and documents, a "ready to use" HazCom Program and Training Module, and specific requirements for the most common chemical and physical hazards so you will have all the information you need to customize your individual HazCom programs.