DOL Announces New Rule Regarding Hazard Communication

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is updating the Hazard Communication Standard to protect workers by improving the amount and quality of information on labels and safety data sheets. These changes, which take effect on July 19th, 2024, will allow workers and first responders to react more quickly in an emergency. 

Aligned primarily with the seventh revision of the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, the updated standard will require labels on small packaging to be more comprehensive and readable and make changes to help ensure trade secrets no longer prevent workers and first responders from receiving critical hazard information on safety data sheets. 

Other changes in the updated standard will also benefit workers, including a clearer hazard classification process to provide complete and accurate hazard information on labels and safety data sheets; updated physical hazard classes to better inform users on the safe handling of explosives, aerosols, and chemicals under pressure; and updated precautionary statements on how to safely handle, store, and dispose of hazardous chemicals.

The Department of Labor has provided a video on the new standard, which can be viewed here.