What are the core components of hazard communication in the workplace?

• A. Personal protective equipment, air sampling, medical surveillance.
• B. Labels/graphics, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), training, and ongoing hazard communication.
• C. Job hazard analysis, permit-to-work, lockout-tagout.
• D. Incident reporting, risk transfer, insurance documentation.

Answer: (B)

Hazard communication is about making chemical hazards known to workers and giving them the information they need to protect themselves. The best choice covers all the essential elements: labels or graphics on containers to convey the hazard and required precautions at a glance; Safety Data Sheets that provide detailed information on the hazards, safe handling, storage, and emergency measures; training so workers know how to interpret labels and SDS and apply safe practices; and ongoing hazard communication to keep information current as products or Hazards change and to reinforce understanding over time.

Other options mix in activities that are important for safety but aren’t the core pieces of communicating hazards themselves—protective equipment use, exposure monitoring, and medical surveillance focus on protection and health monitoring rather than the communication process; job safety planning and lockout/tagout relate to controlling work hazards but not to informing workers about those hazards; incident reporting and insurance relate to risk management rather than conveying hazard information to the workforce.