OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (1910.1200)
What OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) requires: a written program, GHS-aligned labels, 16-section Safety Data Sheets, and employee training — plus the 2024 update.
6 min read · Updated October 2026
Hazard Communication (HazCom) is consistently one of OSHA's two most cited standards. It applies to any employer whose workers may be exposed to hazardous chemicals, in both general industry and construction (1926.59 adopts 1910.1200).
The four core requirements
- Written hazard communication program (
1910.1200(e)): describes how you handle labels, SDSs, and training, and includes a list of the hazardous chemicals in the workplace. - Labels (
1910.1200(f)): shipped containers must show the product identifier, signal word, hazard statements, pictograms, precautionary statements, and supplier contact information. Workplace containers need the product identifier and general hazard information. - Safety Data Sheets (
1910.1200(g)): an SDS in the standard 16-section format for each hazardous chemical, readily accessible to employees during each work shift. - Training (
1910.1200(h)): at initial assignment and whenever a new hazard is introduced, covering how to read labels and SDSs, the hazards involved, and protective measures.
The 2024 update
OSHA published updates to the HazCom standard in 2024 to align more closely with a newer revision of the UN Globally Harmonized System (GHS). The changes affect classification, labeling (including small containers), and SDS content, with phased compliance dates running through 2026 and 2027. Chemical manufacturers and importers feel the most impact, but employers should make sure their SDS library and labels stay current.
Most common HazCom citations
- No written program, or a program that isn't followed.
- Missing or out-of-date SDSs.
- Secondary containers (spray bottles, buckets) with no label.
- No training records, or training that doesn't cover the chemicals actually in use.
CiteSafe can spot unlabeled containers and missing pictograms in a photo of your work area or chemical storage.
Frequently asked questions
How many sections does a Safety Data Sheet have?
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Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, Safety Data Sheets use a standardized 16-section format.
Do spray bottles and secondary containers need labels?
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Generally yes. Workplace containers must be labeled with the product identifier and general hazard information, with a narrow exception for portable containers used immediately by the employee who filled them.
When must HazCom training be given?
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At the time of initial assignment and whenever a new chemical hazard the employees haven't been trained on is introduced into their work area.
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and CiteSafe is not affiliated with OSHA. Always check the current text of 29 CFR at ecfr.gov and guidance at osha.gov. State Plan states may have additional or different requirements.