Written Workplace–Specific Hazard Communication Plan Determination
1. Choose the most appropriate description of how you work with hazardous chemical* products
2. Based on your response, you can determine if your department requires a Workplace-Specific written Hazard Communication Plan
* See definitions below
Contact EHSRM if you have any questions regarding your written plan requirements
Chemical Use Description
Primary office and administrative work only. Chemical use involves intermittent or occasional use of
typical office products (white out, white board cleaner, cleansers, adhesives, photocopier/laser printer
toners, etc.) in small quantities
Office and administrative functions using typical office products in durations and quantities greater
than normal consumer use. Example: Office worker uses chemical products to service multiple copying
machines or other equipment in one or more locations.
Workplaces that produce, use, or store hazardous chemicals* in such a way that the employees of
other employer(s) may be exposed. Example: Employees of a construction contractor are working in
your workplace.
Perform industrial activities using various chemical products to include, but not limited to: paints,
solvents, sealants, fuels, oils, lubricants, compressed gases, flammable or combustible materials, etc.
May or may not also have secondary office activities using typical office products or potential
exposures to physical hazards*.
Retailing, warehousing, or other storage facility where chemicals are only handled in sealed
containers. May or may not also have secondary office activities using typical office products.
Is Written Plan Required?
NO
YES
Template Link
YES
Template Link
YES
Template Link
NO; however, other provisions do apply:
- Ensure incoming containers are
properly labeled
- Ensure a Safety Data Sheet is readily
available for any hazardous chemical
received
- Employees must still receive Hazard
Communication GHS training
Perform work in laboratories using various hazardous chemicals to include, but not limited to: acids,
bases, reagents, compressed gases, flammable or combustible materials, etc. May or may not also
have secondary office activities using typical office products.
Work exclusively involves hazardous waste or substance remediation or removal, using non-treated
wood or wood products, using tobacco or tobacco products, biological hazards, ionizing or non-ionizing
radiation, retail or personal food or alcoholic beverages, consumer drugs and cosmetics, nuisance
particles, or using consumer product or hazardous substances where anticipated exposure would not
exceed thresholds established for normal consumer use. May occasionally perform office and
administrative work using typical office products
NO; however, other provisions do apply:
- Ensure incoming containers are
properly labeled
- Ensure a Safety Data Sheet is readily
available for any hazardous chemical
received and used
- Employees must still receive Hazard
Communication GHS training
- Ensure shipped containers of
hazardous chemicals are properly
labeled and have an accompanying
Safety Data Sheet
- Must have a Chemical Hygiene Plan
NO
Definitions

"Hazardous chemical" means any chemical which is classified as a physical hazard or a health hazard, a simple asphyxiant, combustible dust,
pyrophoric gas, or hazard not otherwise classified.

"Health hazard" means a chemical which is classified as posing one of the following hazardous effects: acute toxicity (any route of exposure);
skin corrosion or irritation; serious eye damage or eye irritation; respiratory or skin sensitization; germ cell mutagenicity; carcinogenicity;
reproductive toxicity; specific target organ toxicity (single or repeated exposure); or aspiration hazard.

"Physical hazard" means a chemical that is classified as posing one of the following hazardous effects: explosive; flammable (gases, aerosols,
liquids, or solids); oxidizer (liquid, solid or gas); self-reactive; pyrophoric (liquid or solid); self-heating; organic peroxide; corrosive to metal; gas
under pressure; or in contact with water emits flammable gas.