November 2025
In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education blog, Kali Marsh, RVT, Compliance Manager with Certified Safety Training, details the importance of complying with the Hazard Communication Standard in a veterinary practice. Veterinary hospitals routinely handle a variety of chemicals that have the potential to pose health risks to personnel, making compliance with OSHA essential!

Complying with the Hazard Communication Standard in Your Veterinary Hospital

Kali Marsh, RVT, Compliance Manager with Certified Safety Training

Veterinary hospitals routinely handle a variety of chemicals, including disinfectants, anesthetics, medications, cleaning agents, and gases. Many of these substances pose health and safety risks to staff, making compliance with OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS, 29 CFR 1910.1200) essential for maintaining a safe workplace and avoiding regulatory issues.

The Hazard Communication Standard requires employers to evaluate chemical hazards, provide proper labeling, maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), offer employee training, and implement a written hazard communication program. The goal is to ensure staff are informed and protected from potential health and physical risks associated with hazardous chemicals.

Why Veterinary Hospitals Need HazCom

Veterinary staff are often exposed to chemicals that can cause short- or long-term health problems, including skin, eye, or lung injuries and chronic conditions like organ damage or cancer. Special practices such as compounding drugs, crushing tablets, or handling inhalant anesthetics can increase the hazards of otherwise “safe” substances. Even medications in final form may require HazCom compliance if handled in ways that generate dust or vapors.

Core Elements of Compliance

A written hazard communication program is central to compliance. It should identify who is responsible for HazCom, outline chemical inventory management, explain how SDSs are maintained, detail labeling requirements, and describe training procedures. This document should be specific to your hospital and updated annually or whenever new chemicals are introduced.

Maintaining a current inventory of all hazardous chemicals is essential. This includes not just obvious products like cleaning agents and anesthetics, but also samples, small bottles, and donor materials. Each chemical must have an accessible SDS. Digital storage is recommended alongside a physical binder to ensure information is always available.

Proper labeling is another critical component. Every container, including secondary bottles, must clearly display the chemical identity and hazard warnings, with GHS-compliant pictograms and signal words. When transferring chemicals into smaller containers, staff should label them appropriately to prevent accidental exposure.

Employee training is required for all staff who may encounter hazardous chemicals. Training should cover chemical hazards, reading labels and SDSs, proper handling and storage procedures, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and emergency response. Orientations for new hires and periodic refreshers for existing staff help maintain compliance and safety awareness.

Engineering controls and PPE are important for minimizing exposure. Gloves, goggles, masks, and ventilation systems help protect staff when handling hazardous chemicals. Emergency stations, such as eyewash or safety showers, should be accessible where needed.

Storage and handling procedures must also account for chemical compatibility and spill response. Flammables should be stored in approved cabinets, acids and bases separated, and secure shelving used throughout. Spill kits with absorbents and PPE should be readily available, and staff must know emergency procedures and contact information.

Finally, it’s important to note that some chemicals and drugs have exemptions under HazCom, such as medications in solid final form. However, when these substances are manipulated or compounded, they may require full HazCom compliance. Keeping up to date with OSHA interpretations ensures your hospital remains compliant.

Common Gaps to Watch For

Veterinary hospitals often encounter compliance gaps, including missing or outdated SDSs, improperly labeled secondary containers, incomplete or generic written programs, lack of staff awareness, chemical storage issues, and handling of compounded drugs without appropriate precautions.

Implementing or Auditing Compliance

To implement or audit your HazCom compliance, assign a staff member to coordinate the program, inventory all chemicals, gather SDSs, review labeling, and update your written plan. Train employees, enforce PPE and engineering controls, and establish clear spill and emergency procedures. Schedule regular reviews to ensure the program remains current as new chemicals are introduced or usage changes.

For more Certified Safety Training lessons and resources, visit our ongoing series to improve workplace safety and compliance in the veterinary space HERE!

Please note the opinions in this video are the expressed opinion of the author(s), and not directly endorsed by VETgirl.

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