A chemical shipment arrives at your facility. The label looks different. The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) has been updated. Employees have questions.

Does your team know what changed, where to find updated information, and how those changes impact daily operations?

The transition to OSHA’s updated Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) is no longer a future requirement. Employers handling pure chemical substances have reached the latest compliance milestone for OSHA’s alignment with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) Revision 7. The focus now shifts from preparation to verification: confirming that workplace programs, training, and documentation reflect the updated requirements.

For safety managers, this update is about more than reviewing paperwork. It affects the information employees rely on every day to safely store, handle, and respond to chemical hazards.

Organizations should now be focused on verifying that:

• Updated Safety Data Sheets are available and accessible
• Workplace labels reflect current hazard classifications
• Written Hazard Communication Programs are up to date
• Employees have completed required training
• Compliance records are organized and audit-ready

For companies in industrial manufacturing, transportation, tank cleaning, maintenance, utilities, and other high-risk industries, maintaining HazCom compliance requires an ongoing process, not a one-time update.

Understanding the GHS Revision 7 Update

OSHA updated the Hazard Communication Standard to align with GHS Revision 7, improving consistency in how chemical hazards are classified and communicated throughout the supply chain.

The purpose of the update is to provide workers with clearer and more accurate information about the chemicals they encounter in the workplace.

The changes impact several areas of chemical safety management, including:

• Hazard classifications
• Safety Data Sheet requirements
• Workplace labeling procedures
• Employee training
• Written Hazard Communication Programs

For employers, these updates affect daily operations by changing how teams identify chemical hazards, review safety information, and communicate risks to employees.

For more information, visit OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard resources.

What Changed Under GHS Revision 7?

New and Updated Hazard Classifications

One of the biggest changes under GHS Revision 7 is the addition and expansion of several hazard categories.

Understanding these classifications helps safety managers evaluate whether existing procedures, labels, and training remain accurate.

Aerosols

The aerosol classification system has been expanded to provide additional information about potential hazards.

The updated standard recognizes additional aerosol categories, including non-flammable aerosols, to better communicate differences in flammability and pressure-related risks.

Chemicals Under Pressure

A new hazard category applies to liquids and solids packaged in pressure dispensers that use compressed gas for discharge.

This may impact workplaces using:

• Industrial sprays
• Pressurized cleaners
• Maintenance chemicals
• Aerosol products

Desensitized Explosives

Certain explosive substances that have been stabilized with additives are now classified under updated requirements.

This provides employees with clearer information about remaining hazards associated with these materials.

Flammable Gases

The updated classification expands Category 1 flammable gases to include unstable gases and pyrophoric gases.

For facilities working with reactive chemicals, accurate hazard communication is critical for preventing serious incidents.

Updated Safety Data Sheet Requirements

While the standard 16-section SDS format remains, some sections now include updated requirements.

Section 9: Physical and Chemical Properties

SDS documents now include additional information regarding particle characteristics for solids.

This information can be important when evaluating combustible dust hazards.

Section 3: Composition Information

Requirements surrounding trade secret ingredient information have also changed.

When exact ingredient percentages are protected, manufacturers must use OSHA-defined concentration ranges.

What Safety Managers Should Verify Now

The compliance deadline may have passed, but maintaining compliance requires ongoing attention.

Safety teams should review the following areas:

1. Confirm Your Chemical Inventory Is Accurate

A complete chemical inventory is the foundation of an effective HazCom program.

Verify:

• Current chemicals stored and used onsite
• Updated SDS availability
• Proper storage locations
• Secondary container labeling
• Employee access to hazard information

Many compliance issues begin with outdated inventories or missing documentation.

2. Review Updated SDS Documents

Your SDS library should reflect the most current information provided by suppliers.

Safety teams should confirm:

• Updated SDS documents have replaced outdated versions
• Employees know where to access SDS information
• Changes have been communicated to affected workers

Keeping SDS records organized is essential for both daily safety decisions and OSHA inspections.

3. Evaluate Workplace Labels

When chemical classifications change, workplace labels may need to be updated.

Review:

• Secondary container labels
• Workplace labeling systems
• Hazard symbols
• Signal words
• Precautionary statements

Employees should be able to quickly identify the hazards associated with the chemicals they handle.

4. Maintain Employee Training Records

Employee training remains one of the most important parts of HazCom compliance.

Workers should understand:

• Updated GHS labels and pictograms
• Hazard classifications
• SDS information
• Safe handling procedures
• Required PPE
• Emergency response expectations

For organizations with multiple locations, drivers, field employees, or rotating crews, keeping training consistent can be challenging.

 A digital compliance platform, like Sentry Road, helps safety teams track completion, maintain records, and quickly identify gaps across multiple locations and employee groups. 

Simplifying HazCom Training and Compliance Tracking

Managing chemical safety requirements across a distributed workforce requires visibility.

Safety managers need to know:

• Who completed required training
• Which employees need follow-up
• Where compliance gaps exist
• Whether records are ready for an audit

Common HazCom Compliance Questions

Even after completing the GHS Revision 7 transition, safety teams may have questions about maintaining compliance and managing future updates.

Can employers still use HMIS or NFPA labeling systems?

Yes. Alternative workplace labeling systems may still be used as long as they do not conflict with OSHA requirements and employees are trained to understand them.

However, workplace labels must accurately reflect updated hazard information.

What happens if an SDS changes after the compliance deadline?

HazCom compliance is ongoing. If a supplier provides updated hazard information, employers must evaluate whether changes are needed to:

• Workplace labels
• Written programs
• Employee training
• Safe work procedures

How can companies manage HazCom training for mobile employees?

Many organizations are moving toward digital training solutions to better support employees who work across multiple locations.

Mobile-friendly training allows employees to complete required courses from anywhere while automatically documenting completion records.

Additional HazCom Resources

For additional information:

OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
Learn more about OSHA’s requirements for chemical classification, labels, SDS management, and employee training.

OSHA Hazard Communication Standard Resources
Access additional employer guidance and compliance information.

United Nations GHS Revision 7 Information
Review the international framework OSHA used as the foundation for its updated HazCom requirements.

Stay Audit-Ready With Sentry Road

HazCom compliance is not a deadline that comes and goes. It requires ongoing attention to training, documentation, and communication.

By maintaining updated SDS information, reviewing workplace labels, and ensuring employees understand chemical hazards, organizations can reduce risk and strengthen their safety culture.

Sentry Road helps organizations simplify safety compliance through online training, automated tracking, and centralized reporting. Our platform gives safety teams better visibility into employee training status and helps maintain organized, audit-ready records.

Ready to simplify your compliance process? Learn how Sentry Road can help your organization build a safer, more informed workforce. Contact our team today.