Hazardous material labels under the Hazard Communication Standard
A hazardous material label is one of the fastest ways to communicate chemical dangers at a glance—what the hazards are, how severe they may be, and what precautions to take. In the U.S., workplace container labeling is primarily governed by OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), 29 CFR 1910.1200, which aligns with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for hazard classification and labeling.
When labeling is inconsistent, outdated, or missing, workers lose critical information at the point of use—exactly where it matters most. That’s why hazard communication programs should treat hazard labels as a living system tied to accurate SDSs, updated chemical inventories, and reliable access for employees.
Under OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), employers must ensure containers of hazardous chemicals are properly labeled and employees are trained to understand the label elements.
What OSHA requires for hazardous material labels
OSHA’s HCS requires that containers of hazardous chemicals in the workplace be labeled, tagged, or marked with specific information. The exact requirements vary depending on whether the container is a shipped container (from a manufacturer/importer/distributor) or a workplace container (used on site).
Shipped container labeling (GHS-style)
For shipped containers, OSHA requires a label that includes (see 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)):
- Product identifier (chemical name, code, or batch ID that matches the SDS)
- Signal word (e.g., Danger or Warning)
- Hazard statement(s) describing the nature of the hazard (e.g., “Highly flammable liquid and vapor”)
- Precautionary statement(s) for prevention, response, storage, and disposal
- Pictogram(s) (GHS symbols with red diamond borders)
- Supplier information (name, address, telephone)
These elements are the foundation of effective hazard labels and are designed to be standardized so workers can recognize hazards quickly—even across different suppliers.
Workplace labeling options
OSHA allows flexibility for workplace labels, as long as the label information is consistent with the HCS and employees are trained to understand it. Common approaches include:
- Replicating the full shipped-container label elements
- Using a workplace labeling system that provides at least:
- Product identifier
- General information about the hazards (often via words, pictures, symbols, or a rating system)
The key is that the label must convey the hazards and be aligned with your written HazCom program and SDS information.
Hazard class labels: why “what hazard” matters
Hazard class labels communicate the type of hazard (and sometimes the category, which indicates severity). Under GHS-aligned HazCom, hazard classes include physical hazards (flammable liquids, oxidizers), health hazards (carcinogenicity, skin corrosion), and environmental hazards (often included on supplier labels though not required by OSHA for workplace compliance).
Examples of hazard class labels you may encounter
- Flammable liquids (e.g., solvents, fuels)
- Gases under pressure (e.g., compressed cylinders)
- Corrosive to metals / skin corrosion (e.g., strong acids/bases)
- Acute toxicity (e.g., some pesticides or lab chemicals)
- Serious eye damage/irritation
Understanding hazard classes is essential for safe storage, segregation, and emergency response. It also helps ensure the right PPE and engineering controls are selected.
The flammable label: common, critical, and often misunderstood
A flammable label is one of the most frequently seen hazardous material labels in workplaces. Under GHS/OSHA HCS, flammability may be communicated through:
- The flame pictogram
- A hazard statement such as “Highly flammable liquid and vapor”
- Precautionary statements such as “Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames”
Best practices for managing flammable labels on site
- Store flammables in approved cabinets and away from ignition sources
- Ensure secondary containers are labeled when chemicals are transferred
- Keep containers closed when not in use (vapor control and fire risk reduction)
- Train workers to recognize the flame pictogram and related hazard statements
A common breakdown occurs when flammables are poured into secondary containers (spray bottles, squeeze bottles, small jars) and the label is skipped or becomes illegible. That’s a compliance and safety risk.
Hazardous labels for shipping vs. OSHA workplace labels
Many organizations confuse hazardous labels for shipping with OSHA workplace labels. They overlap but they are not the same system.
Shipping labels (DOT/transport) in brief
“Hazardous labels for shipping” typically refer to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) hazardous materials requirements (e.g., placards, UN numbers, packing groups) for transport. Those labels focus on transportation hazards and classification under DOT rules.
Workplace labels (OSHA HazCom)
OSHA labels focus on employee right-to-know and safe use in the workplace, tying directly to the SDS and training requirements under 29 CFR 1910.1200.
Why this distinction matters
If you rely on shipping labels alone, you may miss required OSHA elements (signal word, hazard statements, precautionary statements) or fail to label secondary containers appropriately once the product is in your facility.
Common labeling gaps that create compliance risk
Even well-run programs can develop label drift over time—especially with frequent chemical purchases, multi-site operations, or decentralized storage.
Watch for these frequent issues
- Missing labels on secondary containers
- Labels that are damaged, faded, or covered by grime
- Product identifiers that don’t match the SDS (creating confusion in emergencies)
- Outdated labels after an SDS update or hazard reclassification
- Inconsistent labeling methods across departments or locations
OSHA expects labeling and hazard communication to be maintained as part of an effective HazCom program, not treated as a one-time setup.
How SwiftSDS supports hazard communication and labeling programs
Managing hazard labels is easier when your label information stays aligned with a current SDS library and chemical inventory. SwiftSDS helps reduce labeling errors by giving teams one place to organize chemical safety information and access it quickly.
Practical ways SwiftSDS helps
- Centralized SDS Library: Keep SDSs organized in a secure cloud system so product identifiers and hazards can be verified quickly.
- OSHA Compliance Support: Reinforce key HCS requirements (29 CFR 1910.1200) by making SDS access and documentation simpler to manage.
- GHS Support: Ensure teams reference consistent hazard classifications and pictogram details when reviewing hazard labels.
- Chemical Inventory Management: Track chemical locations and quantities so labeling audits can focus on real, current storage points.
- Mobile Access: Workers can pull up SDS information from any device—valuable when a label is damaged or a container is unknown.
If you’re building or refreshing your hazard communication program, start by tightening the connection between your hazard labels and your SDS system. A good next step is centralizing documents and inventory so labeling checks become routine rather than reactive. For more on organizing your documents, see SDS management.
How to improve hazardous material labeling at your facility
A reliable labeling program usually follows a repeatable process and assigns ownership.
A simple implementation checklist
- Standardize how workplace labels will appear (format, fields, language)
- Ensure every container has a clear product identifier that matches the SDS
- Define rules for secondary container labeling (including when exemptions apply)
- Train employees to read shipped labels and workplace labels (HCS training requirement)
- Audit labels routinely, especially in high-turnover chemical areas
- Tie label verification to receiving, inventory updates, and SDS updates
Tip: If your team can’t find the matching SDS within minutes, your labeling system is likely out of sync.
Conclusion: make hazard labels a system, not a sticker
A hazardous material label is more than a compliance checkbox—it’s a frontline control that supports safe handling, storage, and emergency response. By aligning your hazard labels, hazard class labels, and procedures for secondary containers with OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), you reduce confusion and improve worker protection.
Call to action: If you want to simplify labeling audits, reduce missing SDS issues, and strengthen HazCom compliance across locations, explore SwiftSDS and centralize your SDS library, inventory, and mobile access in one platform. Get started by scheduling a demo or reviewing your current SDS process today.