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663 HAZWOPER for General Site Workers IV
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HCS Basic Requirements

Responsibilities

In accordance with the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors, and employers must provide information about the identities and hazards of classified chemicals to workers. The video discusses the 2024 updates to the HCS.

HCS Standard Updates
  • Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import, and prepare labels and safety data sheets to convey the hazard information to their downstream customers.
  • All employers with hazardous chemicals in their workplaces must have labels and safety data sheets for their exposed workers, and train them to handle the chemicals appropriately.

HCS Basic Requirements

The basic requirements of the HCS includes the following:

  1. Hazard classification: Provides specific criteria for classification of health and physical hazards, as well as classification of mixtures.
  2. Labels: Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to provide container labels that include Global Harmonized System (GHS) signal words, pictograms, and hazard statements for each hazard class and category. Precautionary statements must also be provided.
  3. Safety Data Sheets (SDS): Employers must maintain 16-section SDS for all classified chemicals.
  4. Information and training: Employers are required to train workers on the new labels elements and safety data sheets format to facilitate recognition and understanding.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

1-1. According to the HCS, what must the employer do to protect employees exposed to hazardous chemicals?