The Creation of OSHA Provided This Important Right to Workers
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was created by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (the OSH Act) to reduce workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. In practical terms, the creation of OSHA provided this important right to workers: the ability to expect safe working conditions—and to get information and protections when hazards exist.
A cornerstone of this promise is OSHA “Right to Know”, most closely tied to chemical hazard communication. Workers cannot protect themselves from hazards they cannot identify, so OSHA’s rules require employers to evaluate hazards, communicate them clearly, and maintain accessible safety information.
OSHA “Right to Know”: What It Means in the Workplace
“Right to Know” is often used as shorthand for workers’ rights under OSHA to receive hazard information—especially about hazardous chemicals. It’s not just a slogan; it is supported by enforceable requirements.
At a high level, the right to know means employees should be able to:
- Identify hazardous chemicals in their work area
- Understand chemical risks through labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
- Receive training on hazards and protective measures
- Access SDS information promptly during every shift
This aligns with the right of workers to seek safety and health—including asking questions, reporting hazards, and participating in safety efforts without fear of retaliation.
Important: OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard requires that SDS be “readily accessible” to employees when they are in their work area(s). See 29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8).
Key OSHA Regulations Behind the Right to Know
OSH Act Rights and Anti-Retaliation Protections
The OSH Act gives workers important rights related to workplace safety, including the ability to raise concerns. OSHA also enforces protections against retaliation for exercising these rights. While many “Right to Know” discussions focus on chemical information, it’s helpful to remember that the right of workers to seek safety and health is broader: workers can report hazards, request inspections, and access certain injury/illness information.
Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200)
OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) is the regulation most associated with “Right to Know.” It applies to employers with hazardous chemicals in the workplace and sets requirements for:
- Hazard classification (chemical manufacturers/importers must classify hazards)
- Labels on shipped containers and workplace containers
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for each hazardous chemical
- Employee information and training
- A written hazard communication program
Key sections include:
- 29 CFR 1910.1200(e) – Written hazard communication program
- 29 CFR 1910.1200(f) – Labels and other forms of warning
- 29 CFR 1910.1200(g) – Safety Data Sheets
- 29 CFR 1910.1200(h) – Employee information and training
GHS Alignment and SDS Format
OSHA’s HazCom aligns with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), which standardizes hazard classification and communication elements. Under HazCom, SDS follow a 16-section format, making it easier for workers to find critical information (e.g., first aid, PPE, exposure controls).
This is essential for the “Right to Know” because consistency reduces confusion—especially in multi-site operations or workplaces with many chemical products.
What Employers Must Do to Support the Right to Know
For employers, “Right to Know” is not satisfied by simply having SDS somewhere on-site. OSHA expects systems that reliably deliver information to employees when they need it.
Maintain an Accessible SDS System
Under 29 CFR 1910.1200(g), employers must have an SDS for each hazardous chemical and ensure SDS are readily accessible to employees. That means:
- SDS must be available without barriers or delays
- Employees must know how to access them
- Access must work during all shifts (including nights/weekends)
Ensure Proper Labeling
OSHA requires labels on hazardous chemical containers to include key information such as product identifier, signal word, hazard statements, pictograms, and precautionary statements (see 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)). Missing or defaced labels undermine the right to know by removing the “at-a-glance” hazard warning.
Provide Effective Training
Training is required at the time of initial assignment and whenever a new chemical hazard is introduced (29 CFR 1910.1200(h)). Training must cover, among other topics:
- How to detect the presence of hazardous chemicals
- The physical and health hazards of chemicals in the work area
- Protective measures (PPE, work practices, emergency procedures)
- Details of the hazard communication program, including how to access SDS
Keep a Written Hazard Communication Program
A written program (29 CFR 1910.1200(e)) documents how an employer will meet HazCom obligations, including:
- Labeling procedures
- SDS management
- Training practices
- Methods for informing employees about hazards of non-routine tasks
- Chemical hazards in shared workplaces (contractors, temporary workers)
Common SDS Management Challenges That Undermine Right to Know
Many compliance gaps aren’t due to bad intent—they’re due to process problems. Typical issues include:
- SDS are outdated after product reformulations
- Multiple versions of the same SDS exist across sites
- Paper binders are missing pages or stored in inaccessible locations
- Employees can’t locate SDS quickly during an incident
- Chemical inventories are incomplete or not tied to SDS
When these failures happen, workers lose the practical benefit of “Right to Know,” even if the employer believes they are compliant.
How SwiftSDS Supports OSHA Right to Know Compliance
SwiftSDS helps organizations turn “Right to Know” from a policy into a consistent, auditable reality. As a comprehensive SDS management platform, SwiftSDS supports the HazCom requirements that make the creation of OSHA provided this important right to workers meaningful on the floor.
With SwiftSDS, companies can:
- Build a centralized SDS library so teams aren’t hunting across shared drives, binders, or emails
- Improve OSHA Hazard Communication compliance (29 CFR 1910.1200) by keeping SDS organized and readily accessible
- Support GHS-aligned labeling and hazard communication practices by keeping standardized SDS information available
- Strengthen chemical readiness with chemical inventory management (track locations, quantities, and expiration dates)
- Provide mobile access, enabling workers to pull up SDS from any device—useful during spills, exposures, or after-hours operations
This approach helps employers demonstrate that SDS are not just “on file,” but readily accessible, as OSHA expects.
For more guidance on building a reliable program, see SDS Management.
Best Practices to Reinforce the Right of Workers to Seek Safety and Health
A strong “Right to Know” culture connects compliance with day-to-day safety behaviors. Consider these practical steps:
- Conduct routine chemical inventory audits and reconcile every chemical to an SDS
- Train supervisors to respond positively when workers ask for hazard information
- Ensure contractors and temporary workers can access the same SDS resources
- Test SDS access during drills (spill, exposure, fire) to confirm it’s truly “readily accessible”
- Standardize locations and naming conventions so employees can find products quickly
When workers have reliable information, they’re more likely to raise concerns early—supporting the right of workers to seek safety and health and helping prevent incidents.
Conclusion: Turning OSHA’s Promise into Daily Practice
OSHA was created to protect workers, and the “Right to Know” is one of the most practical ways that protection shows up—especially around hazardous chemicals. By following 29 CFR 1910.1200 requirements for SDS, labeling, training, and a written program, employers make chemical safety understandable and actionable.
A compliant hazard communication program doesn’t just meet a rule—it helps ensure workers can recognize hazards, respond correctly, and go home safely.
Call to Action
If your SDS are spread across binders, shared folders, and multiple sites, it’s time to simplify. SwiftSDS helps you centralize SDS access, support HazCom compliance, and deliver mobile-ready “Right to Know” information to the people who need it most. Explore SwiftSDS and strengthen your SDS program today.