Five Signs Your Hazard Communication Training May Be Falling Short

Effective HazCom training goes beyond OSHA compliance. Learn how stronger instruction on labels, Safety Data Sheets and emergency response can help employees recognize chemical hazards and work more safely.

• By Taylor Mabile
• Sep 14, 2026

Most organizations understand that OSHA’s Hazard Communication (HazCom) Standard requires employee training, but simply meeting the minimum requirement doesn’t always prepare employees to work safely with hazardous chemicals. An effective hazard communication program helps employees recognize chemical hazards, understand the information provided on labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and know how to protect themselves before an incident occurs.

It is common in the industry for chemical inventories to change as new products are introduced or a workplace process evolves. If your training doesn’t keep up at the same pace, then employees may unknowingly rely on outdated information or unsafe work practices. Here are five signs your HazCom training program may not be adequately preparing employees.

1. Employees Don’t Know Where to Find or How to Use a Safety Data Sheet

Safety data sheets contain critical information about chemical hazards, physical and chemical properties, personal protective equipment (PPE), first aid measures, safe handling and storage requirements and accidental release procedures. During any emergency, many employees still struggle to locate an SDS or quickly find the information they need on the SDS. Making SDSs accessible is only part of OSHA’s requirement. Employees should also understand how to use them to make informed decisions before, during, and after working with hazardous chemicals.

How to improve it: Incorporate hands-on exercises into training that teach employees how to locate SDSs and identify the information most relevant to their job responsibilities.

2. Employees May Recognize HazCom Labels but Can’t Explain Them

Most employees have seen the HazCom pictograms displayed on chemical containers, but recognizing a symbol isn’t the same as understanding what it means. In the safety world, signal words, hazard statements, precautionary statements, and pictograms each communicate important information about safe handling and potential risks. When employees don’t fully understand these elements, they may underestimate hazards or overlook important precautions.

How to improve it: Training should explain every component of a HazCom label using workplace examples, so employees understand how label information applies to the chemicals they use every day.

3. Training Is Treated as a One-Time Event

Hazard communication isn’t something employees should learn once and never revisit. OSHA requires employees receive training when they are initially assigned to work with hazardous chemicals and whenever a new chemical hazard is introduced into the workplace. Even when new hazards are introduced, periodic refresher training reinforces safe workplace practices and helps employees retain important information.

How to improve it: Review your training program regularly and provide refresher training whenever chemical hazards, work practices, or employee responsibilities change.

4. Employees Aren’t Prepared to Respond During a Chemical Incident

If a chemical is spilled, splashes into someone’s eyes or is accidentally released, employees should know exactly what steps to take next. When there are delays or confusion during an emergency, this often reveals weaknesses in a company’s training rather than issues with the written procedures. Employees should understand how to report incidents, locate emergency equipment such as eyewash stations, safety showers, and spill kits, access SDSs, and follow site specific emergency procedures.

How to improve it: Include realistic workplace scenarios and discussions into training to help employees apply hazard communication principles to situations they could face.

5. Your Written Hazard Communication Program Doesn’t Reflect Current Operations

Your written hazard communication program should accurately describe how hazardous chemicals are managed within your facility. As new products, departments, or processes are introduced, both the written program and employee training should be reviewed to ensure they are up to date. An outdated written program often indicates that employee training is no longer effective for the hazards employees face during the workday.

How to improve it: Periodically review your written hazard communication program along with your chemical inventory, labels, safety data sheets, and training materials to ensure they remain accurate and employees are competent in handling any hazards they may encounter.

Effective Training Supports Safer Workplaces

Hazard communication is one of OSHA’s workplace safety standards because educated employees make safer decisions. When employees understand chemicals hazards and know how to interpret labels and SDSs, they are better equipped to recognize the protective actions available to them. This understanding prevents exposures and employees respond appropriately if or when an incident occurs. To keep a hazard communication program effective, it will require more than maintaining documentation. Continual education that evolves as the workplace changes will be most effective. Regular training will provide organizations with the tools they need to improve compliance, reduce risk and implement a safe work culture.

This article originally appeared in the September 2026 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.