Chemical Safety

workplace safety

chemical safetyworkplace safety, employee safety, and safety at work

Workplace safety and chemical safety: why it matters

Workplace safety is more than avoiding slips and falls—when hazardous chemicals are present, chemical safety becomes a core part of employee safety and overall safety at work. Chemical exposures can cause acute injuries (burns, respiratory distress) and long-term health effects (sensitization, organ damage, cancer). A strong chemical safety program helps workers operate safely in the workplace, reduces incident rates, and supports consistent compliance.

OSHA makes this expectation clear through the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), 29 CFR 1910.1200, which requires employers to evaluate chemical hazards, communicate them through labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), and train employees. When chemical information is hard to find, outdated, or inconsistent across sites, it directly undermines workplace safety for employees.

Key principle: If employees cannot quickly access accurate SDS and hazard information, they cannot make informed decisions to work safely.

OSHA requirements that shape chemical workplace safety

OSHA regulations create the baseline for a chemical safety program and define what “good” looks like during inspections. The following are especially relevant to workplace safety for employees who handle, store, or may be exposed to hazardous chemicals.

Hazard Communication (29 CFR 1910.1200)

The HCS is the backbone of chemical employee safety. It requires:

  • A written Hazard Communication program
  • A chemical inventory (hazardous chemicals known to be present)
  • SDS availability: SDSs must be readily accessible to employees in their work area during each work shift
  • Proper container labeling (aligned with GHS elements)
  • Employee training on chemical hazards, protective measures, and how to read labels/SDSs

Personal protective equipment (29 CFR 1910 Subpart I)

PPE requirements tie directly to SDS guidance. OSHA’s PPE rules (including 29 CFR 1910.132 general requirements) require employers to assess hazards and provide appropriate PPE. SDS sections on exposure controls and PPE help inform:

  • Glove material selection (e.g., nitrile vs. neoprene)
  • Eye/face protection (safety glasses vs. chemical splash goggles/face shields)
  • Respiratory protection needs (when required)

Emergency response and planning (e.g., 29 CFR 1910.38)

Chemical incidents often require quick, coordinated action. OSHA’s emergency action plan requirements (29 CFR 1910.38) support safety at work by ensuring employees understand evacuation routes, reporting procedures, and roles during emergencies.

Building a chemical safety program that supports safety at work

A practical chemical safety program goes beyond storing SDSs in a binder. It connects hazard information to daily tasks so employees can work safely in the workplace, even during non-routine operations.

Start with a complete, accurate chemical inventory

Your chemical inventory should reflect what is actually in the facility—not just what is purchased. Include maintenance chemicals, lab reagents, aerosols, and intermediates. For strong workplace safety controls, capture:

  • Product name and manufacturer
  • Location(s) and process/use area
  • Quantity on hand and typical usage
  • Container type and storage conditions
  • Expiration dates (where applicable)

Maintaining this inventory supports OSHA compliance under the HCS and helps identify where extra controls are needed (ventilation, storage cabinets, spill kits).

Ensure SDS access is “readily accessible”

OSHA expects SDSs to be accessible without barriers during the work shift. If SDS access requires waiting for a supervisor, searching through outdated binders, or logging into a shared computer that’s frequently locked, workplace safety for employees suffers.

A centralized SDS management tool like SwiftSDS helps solve common access problems by providing:

  • A secure cloud-based SDS library that standardizes access across sites
  • Mobile access so employees can retrieve SDS information from any device
  • Faster search and retrieval during spills, exposures, or audits

For related best practices, see Safety Data Sheet Management.

Use GHS-aligned labeling and secondary container controls

Even if an SDS is perfect, an unlabeled spray bottle creates immediate risk. Under OSHA HCS, container labels must communicate hazards. For safety at work, ensure:

  • Incoming containers remain labeled and legible
  • Secondary containers are labeled per workplace policy (product identifier and hazard information)
  • Labels match the SDS classification and hazards (avoid mixing versions)

SwiftSDS supports GHS classification and labeling workflows by helping keep SDS versions organized and accessible, reducing the chance of labeling based on outdated data.

Training employees to work safely in the workplace with chemicals

Training is where chemical safety becomes real behavior. OSHA requires HazCom training at the time of initial assignment and whenever a new hazard is introduced. Effective training for employee safety should cover:

  • How to read an SDS (especially Sections 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 10)
  • Label elements: pictograms, signal words, hazard statements, precautionary statements
  • How exposures occur (inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, injection)
  • Safe handling and storage practices
  • Spill response procedures and incident reporting

Make SDS training task-based

Instead of generic classroom training only, connect SDS information to the actual job:

  1. Identify the chemical used for the task
  2. Review key hazards and exposure routes
  3. Confirm required controls (ventilation, PPE, hygiene)
  4. Practice the “what if” scenario (spill, splash, symptoms)

This approach improves retention and reinforces workplace safety for employees where it matters—at the point of use.

Controls that strengthen chemical safety at work

The most reliable way to improve workplace safety is to prioritize controls that reduce exposure at the source.

Apply the hierarchy of controls

Use a layered approach:

  • Elimination/Substitution: Replace a highly hazardous product with a safer alternative when feasible
  • Engineering controls: Local exhaust ventilation, closed transfer systems, splash guards
  • Administrative controls: SOPs, restricted access, scheduling to reduce exposure time
  • PPE: The last line of defense, selected based on the SDS and hazard assessment

Improve storage and segregation

Chemical storage mistakes frequently lead to fires, releases, and exposures. Support safety at work by:

  • Segregating incompatibles (e.g., acids away from bases; oxidizers away from organics)
  • Using approved flammable storage cabinets where required
  • Maintaining clear labeling and secondary containment for liquids
  • Tracking expiration dates (especially for peroxide-formers and reactive chemicals)

SwiftSDS includes chemical inventory management to track locations, quantities, and expirations—helping teams prevent “forgotten” hazards and improve readiness during audits or emergencies.

Emergency readiness: spills, exposures, and first aid

Chemical incidents are time-sensitive. Every employee should know where to find the SDS quickly and what immediate steps to take.

Plan for the most likely scenarios

Prepare for:

  • Small spills during transfer
  • Splash exposures to eyes/skin
  • Inhalation from fumes or aerosols
  • Leaks during storage or waste handling

Align emergency procedures with SDS guidance (first aid measures, firefighting measures, and accidental release measures). Ensure eyewash stations, safety showers, spill kits, and emergency contact procedures are in place and maintained.

Tip for safer operations: Practice retrieving the SDS and locating emergency equipment during drills—speed matters.

Common SDS and chemical safety gaps (and how to fix them)

Chemical safety programs often fail in predictable ways. Address these to strengthen workplace safety for employees:

  • Outdated SDSs: Replace old versions and confirm revision dates
  • Missing SDSs for “non-production” chemicals: Include maintenance, janitorial, and contractor chemicals
  • Fragmented access across sites: Standardize SDS retrieval and training processes
  • Weak inventory visibility: Track where chemicals are stored and who uses them

SwiftSDS helps reduce these gaps by centralizing SDSs, supporting OSHA HazCom compliance workflows, enabling mobile access, and connecting SDS information to chemical inventory data.

Take the next step toward safer chemical work practices

Improving workplace safety, employee safety, and safety at work in chemical environments depends on consistent hazard communication, reliable SDS access, accurate inventories, and training that supports working safely in the workplace every day.

Ready to simplify HazCom compliance and make SDS access easy for every shift?

Explore how SwiftSDS can centralize your SDS library, support GHS labeling, track chemical inventory, and provide mobile access when it matters most. Visit SwiftSDS to request a demo or get started.