HMIS® - Hazardous Materials Identification System

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions:

 

Q: What is HMIS®?

A: HMIS® stands for Hazardous Materials Identification System. Originally developed by the National Paint & Coatings Association (NPCA), it is a complete program that helps employers comply with OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). The program uses a numerical hazard rating system, labels with colored bars, and training materials to inform workers of chemical hazards in the workplace. Personal protective equipment information is supplied to give employees information needed to protect themselves from hazardous materials they might encounter on the job.

The Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) stated in the preamble to the 1983 HCS, "Labels prepared in accordance with the NPCA Hazardous Materials Identification System would generally be in compliance with this standard." OSHA previously confirmed the acceptability of HMIS® as an in-plant hazard communication tool. In the preamble to the 1994 revised HCS, OSHA indicated that this type of system continues to be an acceptable means of complying with the standard.
 

Q: Where can I get HMIS® products (labels, rating information, training materials, etc.)?

A: J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc., is the exclusive licensed supplier of HMIS® material. To request a catalog listing HMIS® products or receive further information, contact J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc., at 1-800-327-6868 or FAX 1-800-727-7516. Address: 3003W. Breezewood Lane, Neenah, Wisconsin 54957-0368.
 

Q: Can I use any Hazcom label in conjunction with HMIS®?

A: Although you may encounter other hazcom labels that superficially resemble HMIS® labels, they are not interchangeable with HMIS® labels, particularly HMIS® III. HMIS® III labels contain fields for Health, Flammability, and Physical Hazard, along with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Other copycat labels do not. HMIS® III labels are also distinguished by a unique yellow border surrounding the entire label. This distinctive border not only identifies the label as an HMIS® III label, but visually separates the information on the label from the background. In addition to their unique appearance, HMIS® labels are the only label products that are supported by a complete hazard communication compliance system, including a full line of dedicated training and implementation materials developed by industry health and safety experts.
 

Q: How does HMIS® help businesses comply with OSHA's Hazard Communication standard?

A: OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.1200 requires employers to inform employees of the hazards with which they work. The HMIS® manual serves as the bulk of the written hazard communication program where HMIS® is used and HMIS® training materials are available to satisfy most training components of OSHA's HCS.

The HMIS® labeling system satisfies still another portion of the HCS requirements by allowing workers to identify, at a glance, the type and degree of hazards associated with each product they use.
 

Q: Where did HMIS® come from and how was it developed?

A: HMIS® was originally developed by the paint manufacturing industry to aid in compliance with OSHA's hazard communication standard. It has been in use since the late 1970's, and use has spread to numerous other service and manufacturing industries such as health care, chemical manufacturing, public utilities, transportation, education, construction, etc.
 

Q: Is HMIS® required by law?

A: No, HMIS® is a voluntary system that employers can choose to use in complying with the hazard communication program.

What is Required: OSHA does require each employer to have a hazard communication program written and implemented. HMIS® is a convenient way of satisfying many aspects of this requirement.
 

Q: How do I train my employees on HMIS®?

A: The complete HMIS® system includes an employee training package, contained in Part III (Employee Guide to HMIS®, quiz, answer sheet, and Programmed Review of HMIS®). These materials may be used in conjunction with other training materials.
 

Q: What other training is required under the HCS?

A: The HCS lists specific requirements for employee information and training on hazardous materials (see Part II of this manual for details). While HMIS® and HMIS® training cover many of the requirements, some site-specific information is beyond the scope of a generic system such as HMIS®. Briefly, employees must be informed of the requirements of the HCS, the specific activities in their work areas where hazardous chemicals are present, and the location and availability of the employer's written hazard communication program, hazardous chemicals list, and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs).

The HCS training must provide employees with an opportunity to ask questions and must acquaint them with the particular hazards (including chronic/target-organ hazards) associated with the chemicals in their workplace; the means of detecting a chemical spill; the worksite controls the employer has in place to minimize exposure (such as ventilation systems and work practices); and additional details of the employer's hazard communication system (information on MSDSs and any other labeling systems in use).
 

Q: How often must I conduct employee Training on HMIS®?

A: HMIS® is an HCS compliance tool, so the same training requirements apply to HMIS® as apply to the OSHA standard.

The HCS requires that employees be trained prior to handling hazardous chemicals on the job. This may be when the employee is first hired, when he/she is first assigned to a new task, or when new hazards are brought to an existing job. The training must be effective, meaning that employees must understand the hazards of the materials with which they work.

The bottom line is that training is required only once for each employee (assuming no new hazards are introduced to the employee’s workplace), but retraining is advisable as often as necessary to ensure that the training remains effective and employees understand the hazards, particularly the chronic and specific target-organ health hazards linked to the materials with which they work.
 

Q: Are HMIS® and WHMIS the same?

A: No. Although both HMIS® and WHMIS have to do with chemical hazard communication, they are not equivalent. WHMIS stands for the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, which is the Canadian government regulation equivalent to the HCS in the United States. While HMIS® and WHMIS seek to achieve many of the same goals, WHMIS has developed its own unique system of hazard communication, which incorporates hazard symbols and other features that are dissimilar to HMIS®.