Understanding the Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom)
The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), 29 CFR 1910.1200, is built on a simple idea: employees have a right to know about hazardous chemicals they may be exposed to at work—and a right to understand how to work safely with them. That’s why many safety professionals summarize HazCom as the “right-to-know” standard.
At the center of this regulation is a written hazard communication program. In plain terms, the purpose of a hazard communication program is to ensure that hazard information about chemicals is properly evaluated, communicated, and understood across the workplace. HazCom isn’t only about having binders and labels—it’s about preventing injuries and illnesses by making sure people can find and use the information they need.
The purpose of a hazard communication program is to protect workers
So, the purpose of a hazard communication program is to reduce the risk of chemical-related incidents by ensuring consistent communication of chemical hazards.
More specifically, the purpose of a hazcom program is to ensure that:
- Chemical hazards are identified and evaluated
- Hazard information is shared via labels, Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), and training
- Employees know how to access and interpret hazard information
- Chemical-specific protective measures are implemented and followed
This aligns with OSHA’s expectation that employers create a system where chemical hazard information flows from manufacturers/importers to employers and then to employees—without gaps.
A strong HazCom program isn’t paperwork for paperwork’s sake. It’s a safety system designed to make chemical hazards visible, understandable, and controllable.
What OSHA requires in a written hazard communication program
OSHA requires most workplaces with hazardous chemicals to develop, implement, and maintain a written hazard communication program (29 CFR 1910.1200(e)). While the content can be tailored to your operations, OSHA expects key elements to be addressed clearly.
1) Chemical inventory: what chemicals are present
A core purpose of hazcom program is to ensure you know what hazardous chemicals are in the workplace. OSHA requires a list of hazardous chemicals known to be present (29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i)).
Practically, your inventory should identify:
- Product identifier (matches the label and SDS)
- Manufacturer/supplier
- Where the chemical is used or stored
- Approximate quantities (highly recommended for risk management)
Chemical inventory is also where organizations often struggle: multiple sites, changing products, and inconsistent naming conventions can cause missing or outdated records. A platform like SwiftSDS can simplify this by combining a centralized SDS library with chemical inventory management, helping you track products, locations, and expiration dates in one system.
2) SDS management: how employees can access Safety Data Sheets
Under 29 CFR 1910.1200(g), employers must maintain Safety Data Sheets for hazardous chemicals and ensure they are readily accessible to employees in their work area during each work shift.
A key point: “readily accessible” means employees can get the SDS quickly, without barriers like locked offices, a missing binder, or a supervisor who isn’t available.
This is why the purpose of a hazard communication program is to create dependable access to SDSs—especially in emergencies.
With SwiftSDS, organizations can maintain a secure cloud-based SDS library and provide mobile access so workers can pull up SDS information from any device, helping meet accessibility expectations without relying solely on physical binders.
3) Labeling: ensuring containers communicate hazards
OSHA’s HazCom labeling requirements (29 CFR 1910.1200(f)) ensure that chemical containers are labeled with consistent hazard information.
Manufacturers and importers must label shipped containers. Employers must also ensure workplace containers are labeled appropriately, and that labels are not removed or defaced.
Under GHS-aligned HazCom, shipped container labels typically include:
- Product identifier
- Signal word
- Hazard statement(s)
- Pictogram(s)
- Precautionary statement(s)
- Supplier identification
From a program perspective, the purpose of a hazcom program is to ensure that labeling practices are consistent—especially for secondary containers (spray bottles, process tanks, day-use containers) where label breakdowns are common.
4) Employee training and information: making hazards understandable
Even perfect labels and SDS access won’t prevent incidents if employees don’t understand what the information means. OSHA requires employee training and information at the time of initial assignment and whenever a new chemical hazard is introduced (29 CFR 1910.1200(h)).
Training must cover:
- HazCom requirements and program details
- Operations where hazardous chemicals are present
- Location and availability of the written program, chemical list, and SDSs
- How to read labels and SDSs
- Measures employees can take to protect themselves (work practices, PPE, emergency procedures)
In other words, the purpose of a hazard communication program is to move from “information exists” to “employees can use it.”
Why HazCom programs fail (and how to strengthen yours)
Many HazCom programs fail not because the employer doesn’t care, but because systems break down as workplaces evolve—new chemicals arrive, processes change, and documentation becomes fragmented.
Common HazCom gaps
- Missing SDSs or outdated revisions
- Chemical inventory that doesn’t match what’s on-site
- Secondary containers without proper labels
- Employees unsure where SDSs are located
- Training that doesn’t reflect actual chemical use
- Multiple locations using different methods, creating inconsistency
Practical ways to improve reliability
- Standardize chemical naming conventions across locations
- Assign clear ownership for SDS requests, updates, and archiving
- Audit inventory vs. SDS library regularly
- Verify SDS accessibility during every shift, including off-hours
- Incorporate HazCom into onboarding and change management
SwiftSDS supports these improvements by providing a centralized, searchable SDS library, OSHA-aligned SDS access, GHS support, and inventory tools that help reduce “information drift” across teams and sites.
Connecting HazCom to real-world incident prevention
When safety teams ask what success looks like, it helps to connect HazCom to the outcomes it is intended to drive.
At its core, the purpose of hazcom program implementation is to prevent:
- Chemical burns and eye injuries due to improper handling
- Respiratory harm from exposure to vapors, dusts, or mists
- Fires and explosions from incompatible storage or ignition sources
- Chronic health effects from repeated low-level exposures
- Confusion during spills and first-aid response
A well-run program enables better decisions in real time—choosing correct PPE, understanding incompatibilities, using proper ventilation, and responding appropriately to exposure incidents.
How SwiftSDS helps support HazCom compliance
Because HazCom requires consistency—labels, SDSs, inventory, and training alignment—many organizations benefit from a dedicated SDS management platform.
SwiftSDS helps by:
- Providing a centralized SDS library in a secure cloud location
- Supporting OSHA compliance with 29 CFR 1910.1200 by improving SDS availability and program consistency
- Offering GHS support to align with standardized hazard classification and labeling practices
- Enabling chemical inventory management (locations, quantities, expiration dates)
- Delivering mobile access so employees can retrieve SDSs quickly from the job site
To learn more about organizing your documentation, see SDS Management.
Final takeaway
If you remember one thing, remember this: the purpose of a hazard communication program is to ensure chemical hazards are identified, communicated, and understood—so employees can protect themselves every day. Or stated another way, the purpose of a hazcom program is to ensure that labels, SDSs, and training work together as a single system.
When HazCom is executed well, hazard information becomes actionable—not just available.
Call to action
If your SDS binder is hard to maintain, your inventory changes frequently, or you need more reliable access across shifts and locations, SwiftSDS can help streamline your HazCom approach. Request a demo of SwiftSDS to centralize your SDS library, strengthen OSHA HazCom compliance, and give teams fast, mobile access to critical chemical safety information.