Hazard Communication
& the GHS System

The Hazard Communication Standard

OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom, 29 CFR 1910.1200) - sometimes called the "Worker Right-to-Know Law" - ensures workers have information about hazardous chemicals in their workplace. OSHA aligned HazCom with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) in 2012, standardizing chemical labels and Safety Data Sheets worldwide.

HVAC technicians work with many hazardous chemicals: refrigerants, PAG and mineral oils, brazing flux, coil cleaners (acid and alkaline), condensate treatments, solvents, and more. HazCom knowledge protects your health.

The Five Elements of HazCom

Chemical inventory - Employers must maintain a list of all hazardous chemicals in the workplace
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) - Must be available for every hazardous chemical, accessible to workers at all times
Container labels - Every hazardous chemical container must have a GHS-compliant label
Employee training - Workers must be trained on chemical hazards and how to read labels and SDS
Written HazCom program - Employers must have a written hazard communication program

GHS Label Elements (6 Required)

Element	What It Shows	Example
Product Identifier	Chemical or product name	"R-410A Refrigerant"
Signal Word	DANGER (severe) or WARNING (less severe)	"DANGER"
Hazard Statements	Nature and degree of hazard	"Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated"
Precautionary Statements	How to minimize hazard	"Keep away from heat sources. Store in ventilated area."
Pictograms	Visual hazard symbols in red diamond	Gas cylinder, flame, skull and crossbones
Supplier Information	Manufacturer name, address, phone	Company contact for emergencies

GHS Pictograms - Know All 9

Pictogram Symbol	Hazard Class	HVAC Examples
Flame	Flammable gases, liquids, solids	R-1234yf, propane, MAPP gas, flammable solvents
Flame over circle	Oxidizers	Oxygen (for brazing - never use for leak testing refrigerant)
Exploding bomb	Explosives, self-reactives	Certain aerosol cleaners under pressure
Gas cylinder	Gases under pressure	All refrigerant cylinders, nitrogen cylinders
Corrosion	Corrosive to metals or skin/eyes	Acid coil cleaners, some flux products
Skull and crossbones	Acute toxicity (fatal if inhaled/swallowed)	Some industrial solvents, concentrated chemicals
Exclamation mark	Irritant, harmful, skin sensitizer	Most coil cleaners, many HVAC chemicals
Health hazard (person)	Carcinogen, reproductive toxicant, respiratory sensitizer	Asbestos (older systems), some refrigerant decomposition products
Environment (tree and fish)	Aquatic environmental hazard	CFCs, HCFCs, some refrigerant oils

Safety Data Sheets - 16 Sections

SDS must follow the standardized 16-section GHS format. The sections most important for daily HVAC work:

Section 2: Hazard identification - GHS classification, signal word, hazard and precautionary statements
Section 4: First aid measures - what to do if exposed (inhaled, skin contact, eye contact, ingested)
Section 5: Firefighting measures - extinguisher type, special hazards during fire
Section 6: Accidental release - spill cleanup procedures, personal protection during cleanup
Section 8: Exposure controls and PPE - what PPE to wear, exposure limits (PEL, TLV)

? Worker Right to SDS

Workers have the right to access SDS for any chemical in their workplace. Employers must make SDS immediately accessible during every work shift - not locked in a cabinet, not requiring supervisor approval. Electronic access is acceptable if workers can access it immediately in an emergency.

? Module 3 Module 5: PPE ?