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On May 20, the Department of Labor announced a final rule to implement a major update to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) Hazard Communication Standard.
Chemicals in the workplace should carry clear labels and easy-to-understand information about their hazards. OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard provides a standardized approach to workplace hazard communications associated with exposure to hazardous chemicals. It was established in 1983 and was last updated in 2012 to align with the third revision of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).
The changes will improve the amount and quality of information on labels, safety data sheets, and small packaging. This will allow workers and first responders to react more quickly in an emergency. The update will also help ensure trade secrets no longer prevent workers and first responders from receiving critical hazard information on safety data sheets.
The 2024 update is aligned primarily with the seventh revision of the GHS. It addresses issues that arose since the implementation of the 2012 standard and improves alignment with other federal agencies and Canada.
Visit OSHA.gov/hazcom for an overview of these changes, the full text of the final rule, and answers to frequently asked questions about how these changes will impact workers and first responders. The updates take effect on Friday, July 19, 2024.