Requirement for additional employee training whenever new hazards are identified. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Standard Number:

1910.1200

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

September 7, 1993

Mr. Earle Wilson
Compliance Technologies Incorporated
One Henderson
Suite 2
Box 874
Brewton, Alabama 36427

Dear Mr. Wilson:

This is in response to your inquiry of August 11, concerning the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), 29 CFR 1910.1200.

You requested clarification of 1910.1200(h), regarding the requirement for additional employee training whenever new hazards are identified. OSHA feels that the receipt of a new MSDS or chemical compels the employer to evaluate the information provided in the MSDS to ascertain whether the new product represents a new health or physical hazard to employees. Training would have to be provided to affected employees when new hazards are introduced into the workplace (not necessarily new chemicals).

The intent of the HCS training is to provide information to employees on the hazards they encounter in the workplace. Retraining can be as simple as a weekly safety meeting that highlights new chemicals in the workplace. As long as the initial training covers categories of chemicals and hazards, and how to read and understand MSDSs, retraining would merely have to assure that new products and chemicals are identified to the employees and that the hazards, if any, are recognized.

We hope this information is helpful. If you have any further questions please contact the Office of Health Compliance Assistance at (202) 219-8036.

Sincerely,

Ruth McCully, Director
Office of Health Compliance Assistance

August 11, 1993

Mr. Roger A. Clark, Director
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20210

RE: Hazard Communication Training

REF: Federal Register, Vol. 52, No. 163, August 24, 1987, Rules and Regulations, Page 31866, Section (h) Employee Information and Training, Paragraph 2.

Dear Mr. Clark:

It has been the generally accepted interpretation on 29 CFR 1910.1200 that re-training is to occur whenever a new hazard is introduced into the workplace as evidenced by a new MSDS, a new product, or a new chemical. I'm of the opinion this is incorrect with regards to the reasons for re-training. I also feel that re-training is not required if the initial training is comprehensive and inclusive of all hazard categories.

In the above referenced Federal Register, we as trainers are given two options for training. We can train "specifically for each chemical" or we can train "regarding categories of hazards." Now, if we train based upon hazard categories and we cover all of them, is re-training ever required since the hazard can't change?

I would appreciate your reply as soon as possible.

Respectfully yours:

Earle F. Wilson President