Hazard Communication

The U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established requirements and guidelines under 29 CFR 1910.1200 for the assessment of chemicals in the workplace to determine whether these chemicals are hazardous, and the subsequent communication to employees of these hazards, as well as protective measures to be taken during handling and emergencies. Any employee who during the course of a normal workday uses, or during a foreseeable emergency may become exposed to, a hazardous chemical in their work area has the right to know of these hazards.

This communication of hazard information to employees is accomplished through the Oakland Community College Written Hazard Communication Program, employee training, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), container labeling, and other forms of warning. The information contained herein shall be available to all employees during all shifts upon request, and shall be accessible to contractors as needed. All components of the Hazard Communication Program should be available in one location at each Oakland Community College facility.

Oakland Community College has prepared this Hazard Communication Program to meet the requirements of OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard and to assist in providing all employees with a safe and healthy workplace. This program is intended to address the hazard communication for Oakland Community College employees only, and is not intended to be applied directly to protecting students. The Oakland Community College Student Environmental Health and Safety Handbook addresses student hazard communication.

The employees with the following job titles have specific responsibilities within the program, or supervise those with specific responsibilities within this program, and therefore should become familiar with its contents:

  • Director of Physical Facilities
  • Director of Public Safety
  • Manager of Environmental Health and Safety
  • Dean (Natural Science, Emergency Services, Automotive, Art, Photography, Dental, Medical)
  • Paraprofessional (Natural Science, Emergency Services, Automotive, Art, Photography, Dental, Medical)
  • Faculty (Natural Science, Emergency Services, Automotive, Art, Photography, Dental, Medical)
  • Adjunct Faculty (Natural Science, Emergency Services, Automotive, Art, Photography, Dental, Medical)
  • Chief Engineer
  • Superintendent
  • Public Safety Sergeant
  • Public Safety Officer
  • Groundskeeper
  • Maintenance
  • Custodian

OCC Links

Written Hazard Communication Program (PDF document)

Summary of HazCom Program Requirements (PDF document)

Hazard Communication Training Module (MS PowerPoint)

External Links

OSHA Hazard Communication Site

MIOSHA Hazard Communication Regulations (PDF document)