Understanding GHS and HazCom Basics: A Simple Guide for New Employees

On a rainy Tuesday, a new hire at a packaging plant opened a drum labeled only with a product nickname. The lid hissed. A supervisor hit the stop button, the area cleared, and production paused for an hour—no injuries; plenty of stress.

Later, the team found the full label on the original container and the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) in a binder ten feet away. The gap wasn’t equipment. It was knowledge.

That’s what GHS and Hazard Communication training are built to fix.

What GHS And HazCom Cover

Think of GHS (the Globally Harmonized System) as the standard language for chemical hazards and HazCom (OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200) as the rulebook for using that language at work. Together they standardize:

• How hazards are classified
• What must appear on labels (pictograms, signal words, hazard and precautionary statements)
• What belongs in SDSs (16 sections, same order everywhere)
• What employers must teach workers, and how that information is made available

HazCom isn’t a “nice to have.” It consistently ranks near the top of OSHA’s most-cited standards every year; for FY 2024, it ranked #2 across all industries, just behind fall protection.

GHS And HazCom Basics

You’ll hear this everywhere during onboarding, because GHS and HazCom basics are the backbone of chemical safety.

• Labels are your traffic signs. Look for the signal word (“Danger” or “Warning”), pictograms (the red-diamond icons), hazard statements (what could go wrong), and precautionary statements (what to do about it). U.S. enforcement covers eight GHS pictograms (the environmental symbol is optional).
• SDSs are your owner’s manual. Every SDS follows the same 16-section layout. Sections 1–8 are the fast-action pages (identification, hazards, first aid, firefighting, spills, handling, exposure controls). Sections 9–11 and 16 hold technical details and revision info.
• Training isn’t one-and-done. OSHA requires practical information and training at initial assignment and whenever a new chemical hazard is introduced. It must be delivered in a language and format that workers understand.

What Changed In 2024 (And Why You’ll Hear About It In Orientation)

OSHA finalized updates to the Hazard Communication Standard on May 20, 2024, aligning primarily with GHS Revision 7 (plus some Rev. 8 elements). The rule took effect on July 19, 2024, with phased compliance dates: 18 months after the effective date for substances (plus an additional six months for workplace program/label/training updates), and 36 months plus a further six months for mixtures. Expect more explicit labeling and SDS language, flexibility for small containers, a new “desensitized explosives” class, and acceptance of specific non-animal test methods for skin effects.

Read Any Label In Under 60 Seconds

When you pick up a container, scan in a set order so the information is processed quickly. Start with the signal word; “Danger” calls for a higher level of caution than “Warning.” Next, read the pictograms and match each icon to the corresponding risk (e.g., flame, skull, corrosion, gas cylinder, etc.). Move to the hazard statements, which spell out the danger in plain terms (for example, “Highly flammable”). Follow with the precautionary statements that tell you exactly what to do (“Keep away from heat/sparks,” “Wear eye protection”). Finish with the supplier information and product identifier so you can retrieve the correct SDS without having to search. Taken together, these five checks turn a mysterious container into clear, actionable guidance.

Safety Data Sheets: Pages That Save Time

Treat SDSs as quick-reference tools, not long reads. Go directly to Section 2 for a quick overview of hazard classes and pictograms. If something goes wrong, Section 4 (First Aid) and Section 6 (Accidental Release Measures) save precious minutes by outlining immediate steps. For prevention, Section 8 (Exposure Controls/PPE) guides the choice of gloves, respirator use, and ventilation, while Section 9 (Physical and Chemical Properties) helps supervisors confirm storage and process controls. Train teams to bookmark the SDS index and practice a 60-second “find and tell” drill during toolbox talks so the correct information is second nature.

Training That Sticks In Week One

Your goal in week one is confidence with labels, SDSs, and local procedures. A simple cadence works:

• Day 1: Label anatomy, SDS navigation, and where to find both on-site.
• Day 3: Brief scenario practice (spill, splash, fumes) using actual facility chemicals.
• Day 5: Walk-through audit—each new hire identifies one improvement (label clarity, SDS access).

This is where structured programs, such as GHS hazard communication training, a foundational GHS course, or role-specific GHS safety training, pay off. They reinforce your written program with repeatable drills that match your processes.

What The Numbers Say (And Why HazCom Matters)

Across the U.S. private industry, employers reported 2.6 million nonfatal injuries and illnesses in 2023. Exposure to harmful substances or environments was associated with hundreds of fatalities the same year. OSHA also estimates that chemical exposures contribute to roughly 190,000 illnesses and 50,000 deaths annually. Those figures aren’t abstract—they show up in real workplaces where labels go unread and SDSs sit unopened.

Common HazCom Mistakes To Avoid

• “Nicknames” on secondary containers. Use the full product identifier and required info on workplace labels.
• SDSs that are “nearby,” but locked in an office. Workers need immediate access during every shift.
• One-time slide decks. Training must recur when new hazards appear and be easily understood by the audience on your floor.
• Gaps in the written program. OSHA citations often stem from missing or outdated documents. HazCom’s spot at #2 on OSHA’s FY 2024 “Top 10” list is a big hint.

Mini Case: Three Near-Misses, One Lesson

1. A janitorial team mixed two cleaners, releasing a respiratory irritant. Reading the label would have flagged “Do not mix with…”
2. A welder grabbed solvent-soaked rags near a hot surface. The flame pictogram was on the can; the job briefing never mentioned it.
3. A tech ignored the “use in a ventilated area” and got dizzy. Section 8 of the SDS spelled out the control.
4. The thread running through all three: label literacy, quick SDS access, and short, repeated training.

Legal & Compliance Snapshot For New Employees

Here’s what the standard expects you to know and use on the job:

• A written Hazard Communication program is in place on site, covering your chemical inventory, labeling system, SDS management, and training plan.
• You can find SDSs immediately during your shift—on paper or digitally—without a gatekeeper.
• You receive training at the initial assignment and again when new hazards are introduced, in language and vocabulary you understand.If anything here isn’t true at your workplace, please speak with your supervisor or safety lead; it’s an OSHA requirement under 29 CFR 1910.1200(h).

Choosing The Right Course (And Getting ROI From It)

If you’re rolling this out to a mixed workforce—warehouse, maintenance, lab techs—choose training that mirrors your actual chemicals and jobs.

That’s where OSHA Hazard Communication training, Hazard Communication for employees, and a job-matched GHS course for workers pay off: the content should look and feel like your plant, not a generic slideshow. Insist on practical label/SDS drills using your own products, so people practice finding the right section and selecting PPE they’ll really wear. Ensure modules are written in plain English (and in the primary languages on your floor) with consistent pictograms and examples that match your containers and processes. Assessments should be concise and tied to corrective coaching—quick feedback at the end of a scenario is more effective than a binary pass/fail. Finally, require exportable records that you can sort and share for audits and internal reporting. That mix delivers ROI you can see on the floor: faster SDS retrieval during drills, fewer labeling errors, clearer PPE choices, and cleaner audit trails when inspectors request proof. Select a course that clearly indicates the proper action in under a minute and provides actionable data.