HazCom (GHS)
United StatesOSHA Hazard Communication / GHS Training
Issued by OSHA
Valid for Annual refresh recommended; refreshed when new hazards arrive
What is HazCom (GHS)?
OSHA's Hazard Communication standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), aligned with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), requires that every U.S. worker exposed to hazardous chemicals receive training on container labels, pictograms, safety data sheets (SDS), and their right to information about the chemicals they handle. Training covers the nine GHS pictograms, signal words, hazard statements, and how to look up chemical information on an SDS.
Every U.S. worker whose job exposes them to hazardous chemicals — which in construction includes nearly everyone, from painters and drywallers to roofers and welders. HazCom is the U.S. counterpart to Canadian WHMIS 2015; the two share GHS underpinnings but differ in documentation and enforcement.
Why Expiration Tracking Matters
HazCom training itself doesn't carry a federally fixed expiry, but OSHA requires retraining whenever a new chemical hazard is introduced to the workplace or whenever a worker's role changes. In practice, most employers refresh HazCom annually as part of site orientation and document each refresh to prove compliance during an OSHA inspection.
State & Federal Requirements
HazCom is federal, administered under 29 CFR 1910.1200 (general industry) and 29 CFR 1926.59 (construction — which simply references the general-industry standard). State-plan states (like California, Washington, and Oregon) may layer additional requirements. California's Proposition 65 adds chemical-specific labeling on top.
Renewal Process
OSHA requires retraining whenever hazards change. Most employers document an annual HazCom refresher regardless. A new GHS alignment revision (for instance, OSHA's 2024 update aligning with GHS Rev. 7) may trigger a required retrain across the workforce.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating HazCom training as one-and-done instead of refreshing when new chemicals arrive on site
- Not documenting each training session — OSHA inspectors require written records
- Assuming WHMIS training from Canada automatically counts in the U.S. — the content is similar but documentation doesn't transfer
- Missing the 2024 HazCom update aligning with GHS Rev. 7
How WorkSitePass Helps You Manage HazCom (GHS)
Upload your HazCom completion record to WorkSitePass with the issue date and set an annual refresh reminder. When your employer introduces a new chemical or updates the SDS library, log the retraining alongside the previous record — you'll always have a timeline to show during an OSHA inspection.
Issuing Authority
Contact
osha.gov/hazcomFrequently Asked Questions
The underlying GHS content is almost identical. However, OSHA requires U.S. employer documentation of HazCom training for U.S. workers, so your Canadian WHMIS certificate alone isn't sufficient paperwork. Most employers will accept a short HazCom orientation on top of your existing WHMIS.
OSHA requires retraining when new chemical hazards are introduced or when your role changes. Most U.S. employers refresh annually as standard practice, and all major GHS revisions (like OSHA's 2024 update) trigger a required retrain.
Start Tracking Your HazCom (GHS) Certificate Today
Upload your certificate, set the expiry date, and let WorkSitePass handle the rest. Never miss a renewal deadline again.