The Dirty Dozen: 12 HazCom Violations to Prevent
Twelve Hazard Communication violations an employer can prevent, each tied to its paragraph of 29 CFR 1910.1200 and to the maximum penalty of 29 CFR 1903.15(d): up to $16,550 per serious violation and $165,514 per willful or repeated one. It is a checklist, not a ranking.
The full document
| # | Violation | Rule | Maximum | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | No written Hazard Communication Program | 29 CFR 1910.1200(e) | Up to $16,550 | Create and maintain a written program. |
| 02 | Safety Data Sheets not readily accessible | 29 CFR 1910.1200(g) | Up to $16,550 | Keep SDSs readily accessible in the work area during each shift. |
| 03 | Unlabeled / mislabeled secondary containers | 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(6) | Up to $16,550 | Label all containers with product ID and hazards. |
| 04 | No employee training on chemical hazards | 29 CFR 1910.1200(h) | Up to $16,550 | Train at initial assignment and when a new chemical hazard is introduced. |
| 05 | Missing or outdated SDSs in the binder | 29 CFR 1910.1200(g) | Up to $16,550 | Obtain current SDSs. Software flags the ones that go missing or out of date. |
| 06 | Non-routine task hazards not communicated | 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(ii) | Up to $16,550 | Document and brief hazards before the task. |
| 07 | Multi-employer site: no coordination with subs | 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(2) | Up to $16,550 | Exchange hazard info. Verify sub compliance. |
| 08 | Physical binder lost, damaged, or off site | 29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8) | Up to $16,550 | Digital SDS: the jobsite's SDS on every phone, a QR code on each container, a printed set as backup. |
| 09 | No chemical inventory or outdated inventory | 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i) | Up to $16,550 | Maintain a current inventory linked to SDSs. |
| 10 | GHS labels not updated for Rev 7 | 29 CFR 1910.1200(f) | Up to $16,550 | Update labels per GHS Rev 7. Check supplier SDSs. |
| 11 | Training workers cannot understand | 29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1) | Up to $16,550 | Train in a language and vocabulary workers understand; records are good practice. |
| 12 | Willful / repeat after citation | 29 CFR 1903.15 | Up to $165,514 | Correct all items. Show proof. Prevent recurrence. |
Questions about this document
Is this a ranking of the most-cited HazCom violations?
No. It is a checklist of twelve violations to prevent. OSHA's FY2025 Top 10 ranks the Hazard Communication standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, second overall, but OSHA publishes no ranking of its paragraphs.
How much can one HazCom violation cost?
Up to $16,550 per serious violation and $165,514 per willful or repeated violation (29 CFR 1903.15(d)). The amount OSHA proposes depends on gravity, size, good faith, and history (29 CFR 1903.15(b)).
Does HazCom require refresher training every year?
No. 29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1) requires training at initial assignment and whenever a new chemical hazard the employees have not been trained about is introduced into their work area; it sets no annual interval.
Get the Binder in Order Before the Inspector Arrives. Are You Ready?
OSHA does not give advance notice of inspections (29 CFR 1903.6). Get the binder in order before the opening conference, not during it.
Serious Violation
$16,550
per violation (max)
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