In the past, employers were not required to inform workers about their exposure to chemicals.  After many years of this kind of working environment, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), under the U.S. Government, established the Hazard Communication Standard. This standard, or law, is designed to protect employees who use hazardous materials on the job by requiring employers to educate their employees of any potential risk involving hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

Simply put, the federal government mandates that as an employee, you have a "right to know" about the chemicals you work with in your job, and how to protect yourself against the potentially harmful effects of these chemicals.

There are five major provisions of the Hazard Communication Standard with which all employers, including the University of South Carolina, must comply.  Click on the arrow to advance to the next slide to learn what they are and how they affect your workplace.