OSHA Rules for Chemical Hazards

Next, we will outline how OSHA defines chemical hazards and what types of chemical hazards fall under HazCom requirements.

What is a Hazardous Chemical?

Some regulations, such as those from the Department of Transportation (DOT) or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), use strict or specific definitions to identify what counts as a "hazardous chemical." When discussing workplace safety and OSHA regulations, however, there are broader definitions. For these cases, a "hazardous chemical" is any chemical or mixture that presents a potential source of personal harm or property damage, as a result of its chemical properties.

Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, or HazCom 2012, this is the technical definition provided: Hazardous chemical means any chemical which is classified as a physical hazard or a health hazard, a simple asphyxiant, combustible dust, pyrophoric gas, or hazard not otherwise classified.
-29 CFR 1910.1200(c)

In this definition, the terms "physical hazard" and "health hazard" cover the two main categories of chemical hazards derived from the Globally Harmonized System, or GHS. This system is an international standard for discussing issues of chemical safety, and OSHA has adapted it for use in the United States. Physical hazards include flammable materials, corrosive materials, and other physical dangers; health hazards include respiratory irritants, carcinogens, and other biological dangers.

The other types of hazards listed in the OSHA definition of "hazardous chemical" are discussed in detail later in the HazCom 2012 regulation. "Hazard not otherwise classified," or HNOC, is a catch-all category for hazards that haven't been described in the regulation, but are still recognized as hazards.

Chemical Hazards Key OSHA Safety Regulations

Some of the most important rules in subparts H and Z apply to a variety of industries, applications, and materials. Even when other OSHA standards do not apply, employers still need to understand and follow these baseline requirements for managing chemical hazards.

Core OSHA Chemical Hazard Regulations

Each of these regulations contains detailed requirements that employers must implement when applicable.

Hazardous materials inventory inspection with a PPE-equipped worker using a clipboard near chemical storage drums to support safe handling, labeling compliance, and spill prevention procedures.

Chemical Hazards General Rules for Groups of Materials

In addition to the key regulations that apply to many facilities, OSHA provides some rules covering general groups of materials.

• 1910.101 - Compressed Gases. This regulation provides general requirements that apply to most gases stored in pressurized tanks, referring to several industry standards produced by the Compressed Gas Associate (CGA). Additional rules, elsewhere in OSHA's regulations, apply for specific compressed gases.
• 1910.106 - Flammable Liquids. These rules apply to the production, use, and storage of all flammable liquids, importantly including motor vehicle fuels and other petroleum products.
• 1910.109 - Explosives and blasting agents. These rules cover the safe storage and use of explosive materials as part of a work process, but they also point to rules from the Department of Transportation (DOT) covering the safe transportation of these materials. This category represents high-severity chemical hazards that require strict control and documented procedures.

Rules for Specific Chemicals

Most of the individually numbered regulations in subparts H and Z address specific materials used in a variety of circumstances, or present in a variety of facilities. Where these chemicals are present, the matching rules must be followed, in addition to any general rules that apply.

• 1910.102 - Acetylene
• 1910.103 - Hydrogen
• 1910.104 - Oxygen
• 1910.105 - Nitrous Oxide
• 1910.110 - Liquefied petroleum gases (LPG), such as propane and butane
• 1910.111 - Anhydrous ammonia
• 1910.1001 - Asbestos
• 1910.1003 through 1016 - Special rules for a series of specific materials known to cause cancer. The affected chemicals are:
  • 4-Nitrobiphenyl
  • alpha-Naphthylamine
  • methyl chromethyl ether
  • 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine and its salts
  • bis-Chloromethyl ether
  • beta-Naphthylamine
  • Benzidine
  • 4-Aminodiphenyl
  • Ethyleneimene
  • beta-Propiolactone
  • 2-Acetylaminofluorene
  • 4-Dimethylaminoazo-benzene
  • N-Nitrosodimethylamine
  • 1910.1017 - Vinyl chloride (chloroethene)
  • 1910.1018 - Inorganic arsenic
  • 1910.1024 - Beryllium
  • 1910.1025 - Lead
  • 1910.1026 - Chromium (VI)
  • 1910.1027 - Cadmium
  • 1910.1028 - Benzene
  • 1910.1043 - Cotton dust
  • 1910.1044 - 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane
  • 1910.1045 - Acrylonitrile
  • 1910.1047 - Ethylene oxide
  • 1910.1048 - Formaldehyde
  • 1910.1050 - Methylenedianiline
  • 1910.1051 - 1,3-Butadiene
  • 1910.1052 - Methylene Chloride
  • 1910.1053 - Respirable crystalline silica (silica dust)
  • 1910.1096 - Ionizing radiation (rules for dangerously radioactive materials)

Application-Specific Rules

A few of OSHA's regulations in these subparts address specific business processes, rather than specific chemicals.

• 1910.107 - Spray finishing using flammable and combustible materials
• 1910.123 to 126 - Special rules for dipping and coating operations
• 1910.1029 - Coke oven emissions

Preparing for Chemical Safety

The fundamental goal of each of these workplace chemical regulations is safety. Employers have an obligation to provide a safe workplace, and these detailed rules provide a framework for achieving that goal when dealing with chemical hazards.

Knowing the rules that apply to a workplace is the first step in complying with those rules and improving safety. From this point, a facility can use the Chemical Risk Assessment process to identify, evaluate, and control the risks associated with chemical hazards.

Many of the controls meant to protect workers will involve visual communication, such as container labels, storage area signs, and instructional labeling. A convenient and efficient way to create these visuals on site and on demand is with the DuraLabel line of industrial sign and label printers. Specialized printing supplies are available to match challenging environments, such as cold storage, oily surfaces, and long-term weather exposure.