Hazard communication

Overview

We use thousands of chemical products throughout our lives, at home and at work, but most of us would not be able to distinguish safe products from hazardous ones without information and training. That's what hazard communication is about.

OSHA's hazard communication rules - general industry, construction, and agriculture - require employers to train their employees to recognize chemical hazards and to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves.

Federal OSHA adopted changes to their hazard communication rule on May 20, 2024, and published then published additional corrections on October 9, 2024. Also, federal OSHA has indicated their intent to publish additional corrections in the future. Given the uncertainty in the final language of federal OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard, Oregon OSHA will re-evaluate this rulemaking process after federal OSHA publishes corrections in the Federal Register or otherwise provides information regarding corrections.

If you are interested in receiving notices about this rulemaking, or other Oregon OSHA rulemaking activities, please sign up to receive email notifications or visit the Hazard Communication Rule Advisory Group resource page.

All available content

Publications

Apps-mobile/online
- Safe practices when working around hazardous agricultural chemicals - mobile version
  Helps workers understand how to reduce the dangers from pesticides.
  English 07/17/2015
- Safe practices when working around hazardous agricultural chemicals - mobile version
  Safe practices when working around hazardous agricultural chemicals: mobile version
  Ayuda a los trabajadores entender como reducir los peligros de los pesticidas.
  Spanish 07/17/2015
Brochures/Guides
- GHS-aligned Hazard Communication Standard guidebook
  Includes an overview of Oregon OSHA's hazard communication rules and helps employers develop a hazard communication program.
  English 02/02/2019
- Nail salons: How to be safe at work
  Explains how nail technicians can avoid harmful chemical exposure at work.
  English Order printed copy 01/31/2008
- Nail salons: How to be safe at work
  tiệm Nail: Làm thế nào để được an toàn tại nơi làm việc
  Explains how nail products can harm you, as a nail technician, and what you can do to be safe at work.
  Vietnamese Order printed copy 05/16/2008
- Occupational safety for the death care industry
  Developed in partnership with the Oregon Mortuary and Cemetery Board to emphasize industry hazards, provide recommendations, and highlight related Oregon OSHA standards.
  English 09/23/2014
- Preventing exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories
  Describes the requirements of Oregon OSHA's standard on exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories.
  English 05/04/2017
- Safe practices when working around hazardous agricultural chemicals | Prácticas de seguridad cuando se trabaja con químicos agrícolas peligrosos
  Covers safe practices for employees who work around hazardous chemicals and pesticides. Ayuda a los trabajadores entender como reducir los peligros de los pesticidas.
  English / Spanish Order printed copy 04/13/2023
Cards
- Globally harmonized system pictogram card
  A two-sided 3.5 x 5 card with simple definitions of the GHS pictorgrams and label requirements
  English Order printed copy 08/28/2014
- Pictogramas del sistema armonizado globalmente
  Globally harmonized system pictogram card
  Una tarjeta 3.5 x 5 con definiciones simples de los pictogramas del Sistema Globalmente Armonizado y los niveles de requisitos
  Spanish Order printed copy 04/08/2022
Checklists
- Chemical exposures
  Checklist for chemical exposures.
  English
- Hazard communication
  Checklist for hazard communication.
  English
- Infection control
  Checklist for infection control.
  English 10/31/2014
- Piping systems: identification
  Checklist for piping systems - identification.
  English
- Work environment: general
  Checklist for work environment - general.
  English
Fact sheets
- Hazard communication and the globally harmonized system
  Provides an overview of Oregon OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard for general industry that aligns with the Globally Harmonized System of classification for labeling chemicals and the timeline of changes.
  English 11/14/2023
- Hazard Communication Standard for Agricultural Employers
  Covers training requirements regarding chemicals.
  English 10/24/2023
- Hazard Communication Standard's label requirements
  Oregon OSHA revised its Hazard Communication Standard to align with the Globally Harmonized System of classification and labeling chemicals. This fact sheet highlights the changes in the rule requirements for labeling hazardous chemicals.
  English 01/14/2014
- Isocyanates
  Describes what isocyanates are, why they're extreme health hazards, and how employees can protect themselves.
  English 12/08/2014
- Wood dust
  Describes health and safety hazards of wood dust
  English 02/15/2008
Forms
- Comunicación de riesgos (ejemplo de un formulario)
  Hazard communication training plan
  Ejemplo de un formulario de comunicación de riesgo.
  Spanish Word version 10/31/2014
- Ejemplo de un expediente de adiestramiento de un trabajador
  Employee training record example
  Formulario con un ejemplo de un registro de entrenamiento de empleados
  Spanish Word version 10/31/2014
- Ejemplo de un expediente de adiestramiento de un trabajador
  Hazcom-training-record-example
  Hazcom-training-record-example
  Spanish Word version
- Employee training record example
  English Word version
- Hazard communication plan (English)
  A sample written hazard communication program. The management of [this workplace] is committed to preventing accidents and ensuring the safety and health of our employees. We will comply with all applicable federal and state health and safety rules and provide a safe, healthful environment for all our employees. This written hazard communication plan is available at the following location for review by all employees: [Location name].
  English Word version 09/15/2015
- Hazard communication training form example (English)
  Form with an example of a hazard-communication-training form. (English)
  English Word version 10/31/2014
Hazard alerts
- Lime sulfur reacts to form deadly hydrogen sulfide gas
  Hazard alert on how lime sulfur reacts to form deadly hydrogen sulfide gas.
  English 04/08/2013
Quick facts
- Hoja de Seguridad
  Safety data sheet
  Datos rápidos para trabajadores sobre hojas de seguridad. Una hoja de datos de seguridad le indica información importante acerca de un químico peligroso. Su empleador debe asegurarse para entrenarle acerca de la información contenida en las hojas de datos de seguridad. - | - Quick facts for employees about safety data sheets. A safety data sheet tells you important information about a hazardous chemical. Your employer must train you about the information on safety data sheets.
  Spanish 08/08/2022
References
- Rules with requirements
  We get many calls and emails from employers asking the same question. It begins: “Which of your rules have requirements for…” You can finish the sentence with words like “recordkeeping,” “employee training,” and “written documents.” To answer those questions, we’ve organized these rules requirements into a filterable, sortable, searchable table.
  English 05/10/2019

Education and training

Online course
- Curso en línea de Comunicación de riesgos alineada con el GHS
  Hazard Communication aligned with GHS online course
  Este programa de capacitación de Comunicación de Riesgos abarca la Norma de la Comunicación de Riesgos de Oregon OSHA ya que ha sido alineada con el Sistema Globalmente Armonizado (GHS) de Clasificación y Categorización de Productos Químicos.
  Spanish Online course
- Hazard Communication aligned with GHS online course
  This Hazard Communication training program covers the Oregon OSHA Hazard Communication Rule as it has been aligned with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Categorization of Chemicals.
  English Online course

PESO
- Hazard Communication Aligned with GHS (pptx)
  Comunicación de Riesgo Alineada con SGA
  Tailgate English Spanish 11/14/2022
- Hazard Communication Aligned with GHS (pptx)
  Comunicación de Riesgo Alineada con SGA
  Workbook English Spanish 11/14/2022
- Hazard Communication Aligned with GHS (pptx)
  Comunicación de Riesgo Alineada con SGA
  Overhead English Spanish 11/14/2022
- Hazard Communication Aligned with GHS (PDF)
  Comunicación de Riesgo Alineado con SGA
  PESO PDF tailgate about hazard communication aligned with GHS
  Tailgate English Spanish 11/14/2022
- Hazard Communication Aligned with GHS (PDF)
  Comunicación de Riesgo Alineado con SGA
  PESO PDF workbook about hazard communication aligned with GHS
  Workbook English Spanish 11/14/2022
- Hazard Communication Aligned with GHS (PDF)
  Comunicación de Riesgo Alineado con SGA
  PESO PDF overhead about hazard communication aligned with GHS
  Overhead English Spanish 11/14/2022
Resources
- Public Education Workshop Schedule July-December
  Schedule for in-person and virtual workshop classes around the state during July through December. Attending an Oregon OSHA class helps you gain important knowledge and skills.
  English 04/23/2025
- Public Education Workshop Schedule January-June
  Schedule for our workshop classes from January through June. Attending an Oregon OSHA class helps you gain important knowledge and skills.
  English 02/05/2025
Workshop
- Hazard Communication Program - Aligned with GHS
  Instructor Guide English 12/01/2013
- Hazard Communication Program - Aligned with GHS
  Overhead English 12/20/2013
- Hazard Communication Program - Aligned with GHS
  Workbook English 12/01/2013

Rules and rule-related

Advisory group

Hazard Communication Rule Advisory Group

Adopted Rules
- Adoption of Federal SIP IV Amendments and Oregon-Initiated Changes to Administrative, General Industry, Construction, and Maritime Activity Standards.
  Administrative Order 3-2019 Rule text
Final Rules
- Division 2, Subdivision Z, 1910.1200, Hazard Communication
  4-2013 Word version
- Division 3, Subdivision D, Occupational Health and Environmental Controls
  3-2019 Word version
- Division 4, Subdivision Z, Chemical/Toxins
  Administrative Order 4-2022 Word version
Interpretations
- Chemicals requiring an SDS
  02/05/2018
- Compressed air pipe labelling
  09/25/2006
- Electronic access to safety data sheets
  02/10/2020
- H2S exposure
  04/07/2003
- Hazardous chemicals in paint
  06/16/1998
- HazComm: employer responsibility
  10/23/1991
- Letter of Interpretation - 1910.1200, "Hazard Communications"
  Rule interpretation from April 1997 regarding hazard communications and employee training.
  04/14/1997
- Letter of Interpretation - Applicability of OAR437-02-1910.1200, "Hazard Communications," to drugs
  Rule interpretation from February 1997 regarding the applicability of OAR 437-02-1910.1200, Hazard Communications to pharmaceuticals.
  03/21/1997
- Letter of Interpretation - Labeling requirement for containers of chemicals
  Rule interpretation from January 1997 regarding hazard communications and labeling.
  01/16/1997
- MSDS for waste oils
  10/15/1998
- MSDS for metals
  10/31/2008
- MSDS requirements for aerosol paint cans
  08/24/1998
- Providing MSDS sheets while working with dietary supplements
  08/25/2009
- Retail distributors selling hazardous chemicals
  06/16/1998
- Storing all MSDSs in one place
  06/30/1998
- Storing MSDSs electronically
  03/06/1998
- Train workers in a manner they understand
  05/04/2010
Program Directives
- Citations: Paperwork and Written Program Violations
  Purpose: The purpose of this instruction is to revise and clarify Oregon OSHA's policy regarding issuance of citations for violation of "paperwork" and "written program" requirements.
  A-216 05/06/2016
- Hazard Communication
  Purpose: This directive establishes policies and provides clarification to ensure uniform application of the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS).
  A-150 01/07/2016
- Worker Inspection Criteria: Temporary Service Providers and Leasing Companies
  Purpose: To provide guidance to Oregon OSHA staff when working with temporary service providers and worker leasing companies.
  A-246 12/17/2015
Summary of comments and decisions
- Summary of comments and agency decisions regarding federal SIP-IV amendments and Oregon-initiated changes to administrative, general industry, construction, and maritime activity standards
  3-2019
- Summary of comments and agency decisions regarding proposed changes to the Hazard Communication standard for agricultural employers, and twelve other rules in Division 4 Subdivisions B, H, L, N, and Z
  3-2014

Video Resources

Borrow from the Resource Center

Hazard Communication and GHS
See available titles
Borrow DVDs about Hazard Communication and GHS from the Resource Center

Watch Online

English
- To The Point About The Hazard Communication Program, GHS (TrainingVideoNow)
  Various chemicals present many physical and health hazards that cause property damage or harm people. Protecting workers from exposure to hazardous chemicals can prevent injuries and illnesses.
  Language: English Length: 13 minutes
Russian
- To The Point About The Hazard Communication Program, GHS, Russian language (TrainingVideoNow)
  Various chemicals present many physical and health hazards that cause property damage or harm people. Protecting workers from exposure to hazardous chemicals can prevent injuries and illnesses.
  Language: Russian Length: 13 minutes
Spanish
- Al Punto Sobre Comunicación De Riesgos, GHS (TrainingVideoNow)
  To The Point About The Hazard Communication Program, GHS (TrainingVideoNow)
  Various chemicals present many physical and health hazards that cause property damage or harm people. Protecting workers from exposure to hazardous chemicals can prevent injuries and illnesses.
  Language: Spanish Length: 13 minutes

Additional Resources

Hazard Communication Aligned with the Globally Harmonized System Federal OSHA

Highlights

publication cover
Oregon OSHA's guide to the GHS-aligned Hazard Communication Standard