Two cleaning products. One supply closet. A hospitalization that proper HazCom training would have prevented.
Healthcare workers handle chemicals daily - disinfectants, sterilants, lab reagents, medications. OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard gives every employee the right to know what chemical hazards are in their workplace. EZBunny's course covers GHS labels, Safety Data Sheets, and the practical skills your team needs to stay safe.
Start 14-day free trialOSHA's HazCom Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) requires training for all employees who work with or near hazardous chemicals.
Course Details
15 minutes
OSHA Safety
OSHA HazCom Standard
Online, self-paced
What your team will learn
- Your rights under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (right to know)
- What changed with GHS Revision 7 (2024 updates)
- How to read a GHS label - the five required elements
- The nine GHS pictograms and what each symbol means
- How to navigate a 16-section Safety Data Sheet
- Common chemical hazards in healthcare settings (disinfectants, sterilants, lab reagents)
- What to do when you encounter an unlabeled container
Who needs this training?
Required for employees who work with or near hazardous chemicals. R = Required by regulation. N/A = Not applicable for this setting.
| Practice Type | Status | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Physician Practices & Medical Groups | Required | OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200 |
| Dental Offices | Required | OSHA (chemicals, mercury, disinfectants) |
| Urgent Care Centers | Required | OSHA |
| Home Health Agencies | Required | OSHA |
| Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) | Required | OSHA (sterile processing chemicals) |
| Pharmacies | Required | OSHA (medications, chemicals) |
| Community Health Centers (FQHCs) | Required | OSHA |
| Behavioral Health & SUD Treatment | N/A for most | Typically not required for office-based behavioral health settings |
| Chiropractic Offices | N/A for most | Generally minimal chemical exposure in chiropractic settings |
| Physical Therapy & Rehab Clinics | N/A for most | Generally minimal chemical exposure in PT settings |
| Mental Health Private Practices | N/A | No chemical hazards in office-based settings |
| Telehealth Providers | N/A | No chemical hazards in telehealth-only settings |
Which roles must complete this training?
Any employee who works with or may be exposed to hazardous chemicals:
- Medical Assistants: Handle disinfectants, sterilants, and cleaning chemicals
- Lab Technicians: Work with reagents, fixatives, and staining chemicals
- Sterilization Technicians: Handle high-level disinfectants and sterilants
- Dental Hygienists / Assistants: Mercury, disinfectants, impression materials
- Pharmacy Technicians / Compounding Staff: Medications and compounding chemicals
- Housekeeping / Environmental Services: Cleaning and disinfection chemicals
OSHA requires training at hire and whenever new chemicals or hazards are introduced to the workplace.
Common HazCom training questions
Who needs HazCom training?
OSHA requires HazCom training for all employees who work with or are potentially exposed to hazardous chemicals. In healthcare, this includes clinical staff, lab workers, housekeeping, sterilization techs, and pharmacy staff. Even office staff may need training if cleaning chemicals are accessible in their work area.
What is a Safety Data Sheet and when do I need one?
An SDS is a 16-section document that provides detailed information about a chemical's hazards, safe handling, storage, emergency procedures, and disposal. Employers must have an SDS for every hazardous chemical in the workplace, and employees must know where to find them. SDS documents must be readily accessible during each work shift.
What changed with GHS Revision 7?
GHS Revision 7 (adopted by OSHA in 2024) updated hazard classification criteria, added new hazard categories, and revised precautionary statements. Healthcare facilities must ensure labels and SDS documents reflect the current revision. Key changes include updated criteria for aerosol classification and new categories for desensitized explosives.
How often is HazCom training required?
OSHA requires initial training when employees first start working with hazardous chemicals, and additional training whenever new chemicals or hazards are introduced. While OSHA does not specify an annual requirement for HazCom, most healthcare organizations provide annual refresher training as best practice to maintain awareness and compliance.
Give your team the chemical safety training OSHA requires
15 minutes per person. Certificate on completion. Start your 14-day free trial now.
Start 14-day free trialRegulatory Disclaimer
Training requirements vary by organization type, size, state, payer mix, and accreditation. This guide reflects common federal and state requirements as of April 2026 and is not legal advice. Consult your compliance officer or legal counsel for requirements specific to your organization. State-specific content currently covers CA, TX, FL, NY, and IL. Additional states may have requirements not listed here. Last reviewed: April 2026.