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OSHA Hazard Communication Letters of Interpretation
Labeling requirements of hazardous chemicals.
- Issued
- Record type
- Interpretation
- Historical standard
- 1910.1200, 1987 expanded rule (PDF)
- Current standard
- HCS 2024, as amended
ILPI assessment: Allocation of duties remains; modern label content differs
This letter addresses the obsolete 1987 version of the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). Its main conclusion remains consistent: employers generally need not add duplicate ratings to intact compliant incoming labels, but must ensure appropriate workplace labels when hazardous chemicals are transferred and no exception applies.
Under the current HCS, apply modern shipped-label elements, workplace labels, immediate-use exception and incoming-label protection. The old short label lists are not modern shipped-label specifications. HMIS/NFPA ratings remain optional; workplace alternatives must communicate hazards with accessible supporting information and current information and training requirements. Immediate use means the transferring employee's own use within that work shift, not unrestricted sharing.
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This comparison with current requirements is not a finding that OSHA has formally withdrawn this letter.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.
June 14, 1993
The Honorable Jim Slattery
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Slattery:
Thank you for your letter of April 28, on behalf of your constituent Ms. Barbara Dietrich, addressed to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), on the labeling requirements of hazardous chemicals under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), 29 CFR 1910.1200 [ILPI: Original HCS 1987 context (PDF) · Current HCS].
In her correspondence Ms. Dietrich provided the following suggestion for reducing health care costs:
MAKE THE RATING AND LABELING OF HAZARDOUS PRODUCTS, as required by the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard of August 24, 1987, (29 CFR 1910.1200 [ILPI: Original HCS 1987 context (PDF) · Current HCS]) THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER OR DISTRIBUTOR RATHER THAN HEALTH CARE PERSONNEL.
The HCS establishes labeling requirements that must be met by the chemical manufacturer, importer or distributor. Specifically, section (f) of the HCS [ILPI: Original HCS 1987 context (PDF) · Current HCS] requires the chemical manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party to label, tag, or mark containers of hazardous chemicals leaving their workplaces with the following information:
[ILPI note: At issuance: 1910.1200, 1987 expanded rule (PDF). The allocation of duties remains, but current shipped-container label elements and Appendix C replaces the old shipped-label list. Workplace alternatives and the narrow immediate-use exception are now (f)(6) and (f)(8).]
- Identity of the hazardous chemical(s);
- Appropriate hazard warnings; and
- Name and address of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party.
The using employer has the responsibility to ensure that each container of hazardous chemical in the workplace is labeled, tagged, or marked with the following information:
- Identity of the hazardous chemical(s);
- Appropriate hazard warnings.
Ms. Dietrich's letter indicates that Dr. Dietrich's office is labeling all hazardous chemical containers. As previously stated, original hazardous chemical containers are required to be properly labeled by the chemical manufacturer, distributor, or importer. However, if in Ms. Dietrich's dental office a hazardous chemical from a labeled container is transferred into another container and the chemical is not intended for the immediate use of the employee who performs the transfer, then the employer must ensure that the new container is labeled properly.
The HCS allows the employer to use an alternative labeling method as long as the written Hazard Communication Program adequately addresses the issue. Examples of alternative labeling methods are the Hazard Material Information System (HMIS), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and American National Standard Institute (ANSI) systems. Ms. Dietrich's letter indicates that the office is using an alternative labeling method that includes a rating system and that this system is burdensome. The standard does not require employers to use hazardous chemical rating systems. Again, if the incoming container is already labeled by the chemical manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party, then the employer is not required to affix his own label. If the container does require labeling by the employer, then either the alternative labeling method or a label containing the chemical identity and an appropriate hazard warning shall be used.
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The purpose of container labeling is to provide an immediate warning to employees of the hazards they may be exposed to and through the chemical identity, labels provide a link to more detailed information available through MSDS's and other sources. Labeling of containers of hazardous chemicals is an essential element of an employer's Hazard Communication Program [ILPI: Original HCS 1987 context (PDF) · Current HCS]. Accordingly, OSHA views the labeling requirements as essential elements of the standard that are not duplicative or burdensome to the employer for the reasons presented above.
We welcome any further comments that Ms. Dietrich may have concerning the HCS or occupational safety and health issues in general.
Sincerely,
Roger A. Clark, Director
Directorate of Compliance Programs
The original official public domain version of this document is available from OSHA at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/1993-06-14.