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OSHA Hazard Communication Letters of Interpretation
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard as it applies to the janitorial service industry.
- Issued
- Record type
- Interpretation
- Historical standard
- 1910.1200, 1987 expanded rule (PDF)
- Current standard
- HCS 2024, as amended
ILPI assessment: Effective, understandable and task-specific training remains required
This letter addresses the obsolete 1987 version of the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). Its central HazCom conclusion remains consistent: turnover, limited literacy and work at customer sites do not remove an employer's obligation to provide effective hazard information and training.
Use current current information and training requirements, multi-employer coordination and SDS access. Hazard-category training is permitted, but must still cover the actual work, protective measures and hazards; a new chemical requires further training when it introduces a hazard not previously covered. Labels and sheets do not replace training employees can understand and use. NAICS has superseded SIC codes; the old code does not define current HazCom coverage.
Last reviewed: .
About this ILPI assessment
This comparison with current requirements is not a finding that OSHA has formally withdrawn this letter. This assessment reflects editorial judgment informed by human review and AI assistance. It is an opinion, may contain errors or omissions, and is not an official OSHA determination. For guidance on how OSHA requirements apply to your circumstances, contact your local OSHA office.
OSHA's notice about interpretation letters
The following notice is published on OSHA's interpretation pages; it is general guidance, not a letter-specific withdrawal notice.
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.
Source: OSHA's original letter page.
May 23, 1991
Mr. Lawrence M. Friedman
President
Toledo Building Services
Post Office Box 2223
Toledo, Ohio 43603-2223
Dear Mr. Friedman:
Your employees can stay informed and comply with OSHA regulations with SDS information stations and compliance products from Safety Emporium.
This is in further response to your letter of March 22, to Secretary of Labor Lynn Martin, regarding the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), 29 CFR 1910.1200 [ILPI: Original HCS 1987 context (PDF) · Current HCS], as it applies to the janitorial service industry, SIC 7349.
The HCS [ILPI: Original HCS 1987 context (PDF) · Current HCS] was expanded to include all industries where employees are exposed to hazardous chemicals on August 24, 1987. It provides all exposed workers with the right-to-know information about the hazards of the chemicals they work with, as well as appropriate protective measures. In addition to having a right-to-know, exposed workers have a need to know this information. OSHA's rulemaking record indicates that the rule is both necessary and feasible in all industries where such exposures occur.
As the HCS [ILPI: Original HCS 1987 context (PDF) · Current HCS] is a performance-oriented rule, employers in all types of establishments have the flexibility to adapt implementation of the requirements to address the specific needs of their workplaces. There are many types of businesses which have a large number of chemicals and do not have fixed worksite locations. The HCS has been successfully applied by employers to many different work environments.
The literacy of the workforce in general is a problem, and is not limited to any specific type of industry. Workers' inability to access and effectively use written information requires more effort to be placed upon proper training. You indicated that you have no problem training people to do their tasks. This training should also include information about how to do those tasks safely, including how to protect themselves from hazardous chemicals. We believe that training under the HCS can be done effectively for workers with different kinds of educational backgrounds. The most important message to be conveyed during the training is that they are exposed to hazardous chemicals, and that proper protective measures are to be followed. They must also know where they can get more information, and to read and use labels and material safety data sheets (MSDS) when they can.
Your comments regarding inclusion of other employers' chemicals in your program suggest there may be some misunderstanding regarding the requirements of the HCS. Training is generally done on categories of hazards, rather than on individual chemicals or specific MSDSs. Appropriate hazard warnings must be on the labels and MSDSs of hazardous chemicals and employers are to train their employees about those hazards. Once you have trained workers about all possible types of hazards covered by the rule, you do not have to re-train for a new chemical that poses one or more of those hazards (e.g., is designated as being flammable and capable of causing skin irritation). Workers should be trained not to use chemicals unless they have the necessary information to protect themselves. If they must work around another employer's chemicals, then you should inquire as to any particular protective measures that would be necessary, and provide them with the information and equipment that they need. You need not have direct supplier control of the chemicals in order to provide protection for your workers.
[ILPI note: At issuance: 1910.1200, 1987 expanded rule (PDF). Current counterpart: initial and new-hazard training. Hazard-category training must remain effective for the actual tasks and employees, including necessary protective measures.]
While industry characteristics such as employee turnover may make compliance more difficult, they do not negate the need and responsibility to properly inform workers.
As you mention in your letter, you are already in substantial compliance with most of the requirements of the rule. We hope this further clarification will assist you in ensuring that your program is properly implemented. We appreciate your interest in this important issue.
Sincerely,
Gerard F. Scannell
Assistant Secretary
The original official public domain version of this document is available from OSHA at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/1991-05-23.