SAC Chemical Hazard Communication & GHS 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What are the two GHS signal words used on chemical labels to communicate hazard severity?
- 'Caution' and 'Warning'
- 'Danger' and 'Warning' (Correct answer)
- 'Alert' and 'Danger'
- 'Notice' and 'Caution'
Correct answer: 'Danger' and 'Warning'
GHS uses 'Danger' to indicate more severe hazard categories and 'Warning' for less severe categories as standardized signal words on chemical labels.
Question 2: Which GHS pictogram represents acute toxicity categories 1 through 3 (fatal or toxic substances)?
- Flame symbol
- Exclamation mark
- Skull and crossbones (Correct answer)
- Corrosion symbol
Correct answer: Skull and crossbones
The skull and crossbones pictogram identifies substances with high acute toxicity (categories 1–3) that are fatal or toxic if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin.
Question 3: Under OSHA's HazCom 2012 standard, who bears primary responsibility for preparing Safety Data Sheets for hazardous chemicals?
- The employer using the chemical
- OSHA enforcement officers
- Chemical manufacturers, importers, and distributors (Correct answer)
- The National Safety Council
Correct answer: Chemical manufacturers, importers, and distributors
HazCom 2012 places the responsibility for developing accurate SDSs on chemical manufacturers, importers, and distributors — those who introduce chemicals into commerce.
Question 4: In GHS terminology, what does 'hazard category' mean within a hazard class?
- The type of industry where a chemical is used
- A division of criteria within a hazard class based on relative severity (Correct answer)
- The regulatory agency responsible for oversight of the chemical
- The physical state of the chemical at room temperature
Correct answer: A division of criteria within a hazard class based on relative severity
A GHS hazard category divides the criteria within a hazard class according to severity, with Category 1 typically representing the most severe hazard.
Question 5: What information is contained in Section 8 of a GHS Safety Data Sheet?
- Physical and chemical properties
- Exposure controls and personal protective equipment recommendations (Correct answer)
- Ecological information and environmental impact
- Transport information and UN number
Correct answer: Exposure controls and personal protective equipment recommendations
Section 8 covers Exposure Controls and PPE, including OSHA permissible exposure limits, recommended engineering controls, and appropriate personal protective equipment.
Question 6: Which OSHA regulation governs Hazard Communication (HazCom) requirements in general industry in the United States?
- 29 CFR 1910.119
- 29 CFR 1910.1200 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.147
- 29 CFR 1910.132
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.1200
29 CFR 1910.1200 is OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, requiring chemical manufacturers to classify hazards and communicate information through compliant labels and SDSs.
Question 7: A safety auditor finds that a secondary chemical container has only a handwritten product name and no GHS label elements. What is the most appropriate corrective action?
- Add a second handwritten label with the chemical formula
- Replace it with a GHS-compliant label containing all required elements (Correct answer)
- Remove the container from the facility immediately
- File a report and allow use to continue pending management review
Correct answer: Replace it with a GHS-compliant label containing all required elements
Under HazCom 2012, all required GHS label elements must be present on containers; partial compliance constitutes non-compliance and requires the container to receive a fully compliant label.
SAC Chemical Hazard Communication & GHS 2
What are the two GHS signal words used on chemical labels to communicate hazard severity?