Chemicals Labeling Rule Proposal Faces Industry, Advocate Criticism

A proposed rule that would update OSHA’s hazard communication standard faces strong pushback from both industry and safety advocates—with California’s worker safety agency calling for the proposal to be completely scrapped.

Hazard communication, or HazCom, is a set of procedures that employers and importers must implement to communicate hazards associated with chemicals during handling, shipping, and any form of exposure, according to the agency. It’s the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s second most frequently cited standard during safety inspections.

The suggested changes, released in February, are meant to reflect the latest revision of the United Nations’ global system ...