IMSA Chemical Safety & Hazard Communication 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 2012), how many sections are required in a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?
- 12
- 14
- 16 (Correct answer)
- 18
Correct answer: 16
OSHA's HCS 2012, aligned with the GHS, mandates exactly 16 standardized sections in every SDS covering chemical identity, hazards, composition, first aid, and more.
Question 2: Under HazCom 2012, which signal word is used to indicate a less severe hazard category on a chemical label?
- Danger
- Caution
- Warning (Correct answer)
- Notice
Correct answer: Warning
'Warning' is used for less severe hazard categories, while 'Danger' is reserved for more severe hazards; these are the only two signal words permitted under GHS/HazCom 2012.
Question 3: What information does Section 8 of a Safety Data Sheet provide?
- Physical and chemical properties
- Exposure controls and personal protective equipment (Correct answer)
- Ecological information
- Transport information
Correct answer: Exposure controls and personal protective equipment
Section 8 of the SDS covers exposure controls and PPE, including permissible exposure limits (PELs), engineering controls, and recommended protective equipment.
Question 4: Which GHS pictogram indicates carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and respiratory sensitizers?
- Skull and crossbones
- Exclamation mark
- Health hazard (person with starburst on chest) (Correct answer)
- Corrosion symbol
Correct answer: Health hazard (person with starburst on chest)
The health hazard pictogram (silhouette with a starburst on the chest) denotes serious chronic health effects including carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and reproductive toxicity.
Question 5: Which of the following is NOT one of the six required elements on a GHS-compliant chemical label?
- Signal word
- Hazard statements
- NFPA 704 diamond rating (Correct answer)
- Precautionary statements
Correct answer: NFPA 704 diamond rating
GHS labels require a product identifier, signal word, hazard statements, precautionary statements, pictograms, and supplier information — the NFPA 704 diamond is a separate voluntary system not required on GHS labels.
Question 6: According to OSHA's HazCom standard, when must employees be trained on hazardous chemicals?
- Only during initial onboarding
- Annually regardless of chemical changes
- When new hazardous chemicals are introduced to the workplace (Correct answer)
- Only after a chemical incident occurs
Correct answer: When new hazardous chemicals are introduced to the workplace
OSHA requires training when new physical or health hazards are introduced into the work area, in addition to initial employment training.
Question 7: The GHS flame pictogram on a chemical label indicates that the substance is:
- An oxidizer
- An explosive
- Flammable (Correct answer)
- Corrosive
Correct answer: Flammable
The GHS flame pictogram is used to identify flammable liquids, solids, gases, aerosols, and self-reactive substances.
IMSA Chemical Safety & Hazard Communication 1
Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 2012), how many sections are required in a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?