Hazard Communication Program
GHS-aligned HazCom program. SDS management, container labeling, employee training.
What this document is
This document is a written Hazard Communication Program that meets federal and California requirements for chemical safety. It organizes your SDS management, container labeling rules, and employee training into one clear reference that your team can follow on every job site.
The regulation that requires it
The federal rule appears at 29 CFR 1910.1200 while the California version is T8 CCR §5194. Both require employers to "develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written hazard communication program." The standard mandates a written plan, an up-to-date list of hazardous chemicals, proper labeling, access to Safety Data Sheets, and employee training on the hazards they may encounter.
Who needs it
Any employer whose workers handle or are exposed to hazardous chemicals must maintain this program. Construction contractors, subcontractors, painters, maintenance crews, and manufacturing trades all fall under the requirement. In California the rule is enforced by Cal/OSHA under T8 CCR §5194 and applies to nearly every job site where chemicals are present.
What happens without it
OSHA and Cal/OSHA inspectors routinely cite missing or incomplete written Hazard Communication programs during routine inspections. A serious violation currently carries a maximum penalty of $16,131 while a willful or repeated violation can reach $161,323 per citation. Multi-employer work sites increase the chance of cascading citations when one contractor cannot show the required written program.
What's included in the generated document
- Purpose and scope statement
- Hazardous chemical inventory requirements
- Safety Data Sheet management procedures
- Container labeling responsibilities
- Employee training and information provisions
How to implement it at your company
- Talk to Guy first. Describe your operation, trade, and location — Guy draws from 300,000+ verified OSHA and state regulatory citations to build a compliance plan specific to your company. Your answers shape every section of the document you receive. Takes about 10 minutes.
- Download the PDF and edit the company name, site locations, and inventory list to match your current operations.
- Assign a responsible person to maintain the chemical inventory and SDS collection.
- Add your specific training records and keep them with the written program.
- Post the program where employees can review it and provide copies to any subcontractor who requests it.
- Review and update the entire document at least once per year or whenever new hazards are introduced.
View state-specific requirements
How this document changes by state — citations, enforcing agency, and any overrides beyond the federal baseline.