Free osha hazard communication checklist
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Free OSHA HazCom checklist (PDF-ready). Covers 29 CFR 1910.1200 SDS management, GHS labelling and employee training. Download free.
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What is a osha hazard communication checklist?
An OSHA hazard communication checklist is a structured inspection and audit form used to verify compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200, the Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom). The HazCom standard requires employers to inform and train workers about the chemical hazards they may be exposed to in the workplace. It aligns with the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) and covers four core elements: a written hazard communication programme, safety data sheets (SDS) for every hazardous chemical on site, GHS-compliant container labelling, and employee information and training. This checklist helps safety officers and supervisors systematically audit each element, confirm SDS are current and accessible, verify that all containers are labelled with the required GHS elements (product identifier, signal word, hazard statements, pictograms, precautionary statements, supplier information), and document that employees have received initial and annual refresher training on chemical hazards in their work area. In MapTrack, this checklist can be scheduled as a recurring audit, assigned to specific sites or departments, and completed on mobile with photo evidence of labelling and SDS stations. OSHA records show that HazCom violations are consistently among the most cited standards each year, making a structured audit checklist essential for any facility handling hazardous chemicals.
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Benefits of using this osha hazard communication checklist
- OSHA compliance: systematically verify all four pillars of 29 CFR 1910.1200, including the written programme, SDS, labelling and training.
- Worker safety: confirm employees know the chemical hazards in their work area and understand how to read SDS and labels.
- SDS management: audit that safety data sheets are current (within 3 years of issue), accessible within the work area and available in the languages workers understand.
- Labelling accuracy: verify every container, including secondary and transfer containers, has the required GHS label elements.
- Training documentation: record that each employee has received initial HazCom training and annual refresher training, with dates and signatures.
- Audit readiness: completed checklists provide documented evidence for OSHA inspections, insurance audits and internal safety reviews.
Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack
When you digitise general checklists in MapTrack, you get:
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- Maintain an auditable safety register that satisfies WHS regulator requests.
- Correlate incident trends across sites with built-in safety analytics.
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What to include in a osha hazard communication checklist
This osha hazard communication checklist covers 10 key areas:
- Written HazCom programme: current version on file, accessible to all employees, lists all hazardous chemicals on site, describes SDS management, labelling and training procedures.
- Chemical inventory: complete list of hazardous chemicals on site, cross-referenced to SDS.
- Safety data sheets (SDS): SDS on file for every chemical, current (within 3 years of issue date), 16-section GHS format, accessible at the point of use.
- Container labelling (manufacturer): product identifier, signal word, hazard statements, pictograms, precautionary statements, supplier name and contact.
- Secondary container labelling: product identifier and hazard information on all transfer and secondary containers.
- Pipe and process labelling: pipes, tanks and process equipment labelled or colour-coded per site standards.
- Employee training records: initial training date, annual refresher date, topics covered, employee signature.
- Training content: chemical hazards in the work area, how to read SDS, how to read GHS labels, protective measures, emergency procedures.
- Non-routine tasks: procedures for non-routine tasks involving chemical exposure, documented and communicated.
- Contractor communication: procedures for informing contractors of chemical hazards and providing SDS access.
How to use this osha hazard communication checklist
- Confirm the written HazCom program is current, accessible to employees and lists all hazardous chemicals on site.: Locate the written hazard communication program and verify it has been reviewed within the past 12 months. Confirm it includes a complete chemical inventory, describes how SDS are maintained and accessed, outlines labeling procedures and details the employee training program. Check that the program is available at each work area.
- Audit the chemical inventory against available SDS. Confirm every chemical on site has a current 16-section SDS accessible at the point of use.: Walk each work area and compare the chemicals physically present against the chemical inventory list. For every chemical, verify a 16-section GHS-format SDS is on file, the SDS issue date is within three years and the SDS is accessible to workers during their shift, whether in a physical binder or a digital SDS management system.
- Inspect container labeling, including manufacturer labels, secondary container labels and pipe or process labeling. Verify all required GHS elements are present and legible.: Check every manufacturer container for a product identifier, signal word, hazard statements, pictograms, precautionary statements and supplier information. Inspect secondary and transfer containers for product identifier and hazard information. Verify pipes, tanks and process equipment are labeled or color-coded per site standards. Flag any illegible, damaged or missing labels.
- Review employee training records. Confirm each employee has received initial HazCom training and the most recent annual refresher. Verify training content covers chemical hazards, SDS reading, label reading, protective measures and emergency procedures.: Pull training records for all employees assigned to work areas with hazardous chemicals. Confirm initial training was completed before first assignment and annual refresher training is current. Verify training materials address the specific chemicals in the employee work area, how to read SDS, how to interpret GHS label elements, required PPE and emergency procedures including spill response.
- Check non-routine task procedures and contractor communication processes. Confirm procedures are documented and have been communicated.: Review documented procedures for non-routine tasks that involve potential chemical exposure, such as cleaning reactor vessels or handling waste chemicals. Confirm contractors working on site have been informed of chemical hazards in their work areas and have access to relevant SDS. Verify multi-employer site communication procedures are documented.
- Record any deficiencies, assign corrective actions with due dates and responsible persons. Sign and date the checklist.: Document each deficiency with a description, the specific 29 CFR 1910.1200 requirement it relates to, the corrective action required, the responsible person and the due date. Photograph missing labels or damaged containers as evidence. Sign and date the completed checklist and upload to MapTrack for tracking and follow-up.
In MapTrack, you can digitise safety inspections and compliance forms. Each submission is stored as a timestamped PDF against the asset record.
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Back to download formHow often should you complete this checklist?
A full HazCom audit should be conducted at least annually, with interim spot-checks whenever new chemicals are introduced, chemical processes change, or incidents involving chemical exposure occur. SDS should be reviewed for currency whenever a new chemical arrives on site or when a supplier updates a data sheet. Container labelling should be checked during routine workplace inspections. Employee training must be completed before initial assignment to a work area with chemical hazards and refreshed annually or whenever new hazards are introduced. In MapTrack, you can schedule annual HazCom audits, monthly spot-checks and training reminders per site, department or individual.
OSHA compliance officers commonly request HazCom documentation during inspections, so maintaining completed checklists provides ready evidence of ongoing programme management.
Frequently asked questions
- What does OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200 require?
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200, the Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom), requires employers to develop a written hazard communication programme, maintain safety data sheets (SDS) for all hazardous chemicals on site, ensure containers are labelled with GHS-compliant information (product identifier, signal word, hazard statements, pictograms, precautionary statements, supplier information), and provide employee information and training on the chemical hazards in their work area. The standard aligns with the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) and applies to all employers with hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
- How should safety data sheets (SDS) be managed on site?
- Safety data sheets must be maintained for every hazardous chemical present on site and must be readily accessible to employees during their work shift. SDS should follow the 16-section GHS format and be current (generally within 3 years of the issue date, or updated when the supplier provides a revised version). Many sites maintain physical SDS binders at the point of use and a digital SDS library accessible on computers or mobile devices. In MapTrack, you can link SDS documents to chemical assets and set reminders for review dates.
- How often must HazCom training be provided to employees?
- Employees must receive initial HazCom training before they are assigned to a work area where hazardous chemicals are present. Additional training is required whenever a new chemical hazard is introduced into their work area. While OSHA does not specify a fixed refresher interval, annual refresher training is considered best practice and is commonly required by company policy or insurance. Training must cover the chemical hazards present, how to read SDS and GHS labels, protective measures and emergency procedures.
- What is the difference between HazCom and GHS?
- GHS (Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals) is an international framework for classifying chemical hazards and standardising labels and safety data sheets. OSHA HazCom (29 CFR 1910.1200) is the US federal regulation that adopts the GHS framework into American workplace law. Since the 2012 HazCom update, OSHA requires GHS-aligned labels (with pictograms, signal words, hazard and precautionary statements) and 16-section SDS. Other countries have their own GHS-implementing regulations, such as the WHS Regulations in Australia and CLP Regulation in the EU.
- Is this OSHA hazard communication checklist free to use?
- Yes. Download and use this OSHA HazCom checklist at no cost. Open the file in your browser and use Print then Save as PDF. No MapTrack account is required. If you later want digital audit forms with scheduled reminders, photo evidence of labeling deficiencies, corrective action tracking and automatic compliance reports, MapTrack can help. Book a demo to see how it works.
Applicable regulatory standards
This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200 - Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom)
- GHS Rev. 10 - Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
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