Chemical Safety and Hazard Communication (HazCom / GHS)

Why Chemical Safety Matters in the Barbershop

Barbers work with a wide range of chemicals every day: disinfectants, alcohol-based sprays, clipping sprays, styptic products, hair relaxers, shaving creams, and more. Many of these products are flammable, corrosive, or capable of causing skin and eye irritation. Understanding how to read labels, interpret Safety Data Sheets, store products correctly, and respond to spills is not optional — it is a legal and professional requirement.

In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that workers who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals receive training under the Hazard Communication Standard, commonly called HazCom. That standard is aligned with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), an internationally recognized framework for communicating chemical hazards.

The GHS System: Labels and Pictograms

Every hazardous chemical sold in the US must carry a label that includes six required elements:

1. Product identifier — the name or code of the chemical.

2. Signal word — either Danger (more severe hazard) or Warning (less severe hazard).

3. Hazard statement(s) — a standardized phrase describing the nature of the hazard (for example, "Flammable liquid and vapor").

4. Precautionary statement(s) — what to do to prevent harm and what to do if exposure occurs.

5. Supplier information — name, address, and phone number of the manufacturer or distributor.

6. GHS pictogram(s) — one or more standardized symbols inside a red diamond border.

There are nine GHS pictograms. Barbers encounter most of them regularly:

• Flame — flammable liquids or gases (aerosol sprays, alcohol-based disinfectants).
• Flame over circle — oxidizers that can intensify fire.
• Exploding bomb — explosives or reactive substances.
• Skull and crossbones — acute toxicity (can cause serious harm or death in small amounts).
• Exclamation mark — irritants, sensitizers, substances harmful if inhaled or ingested in larger quantities.
• Health hazard (silhouette of a person with a starburst) — carcinogens, respiratory sensitizers, reproductive toxins, substances affecting specific organs.
• Corrosion — chemicals that burn skin or eyes, or corrode metal (some disinfectant concentrates).
• Environment (dead fish and tree) — aquatic toxicity; note that OSHA HazCom does not require this symbol, but it may appear.
• Gas cylinder — compressed gases.

If a label is damaged or unreadable, do not use the product until the container is re-labeled with a secondary label that includes the product name and the hazard information.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Every hazardous chemical in the barbershop must have a Safety Data Sheet on file and accessible to all employees at all times — during every work shift, without having to ask a supervisor. SDS documents follow a standardized 16-section format under GHS:

• Section 1 — Identification (product name, supplier contact).
• Section 2 — Hazard identification (pictograms, signal words, hazard statements).
• Section 4 — First-aid measures (what to do after skin contact, eye contact, inhalation, or ingestion).
• Section 7 — Handling and storage (incompatible materials, temperature limits).
• Section 8 — Exposure controls and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Section 14 — Transport information.

When a new chemical arrives in the shop, obtain its SDS, add it to the SDS binder, and review it before using the product.

Safe Storage

Improper storage is a leading cause of chemical incidents in salons and barbershops. Follow these rules:

• Separate incompatible chemicals. Flammables must not be stored near oxidizers. Acids and bases must not be stored together.
• Keep containers sealed when not in use to prevent vapor buildup.
• Store flammables away from heat sources and electrical outlets.
• Never store chemicals on the floor where they can be kicked, or on high shelves where they can fall.
• Label every container. If product is transferred to a secondary container (a spray bottle, for example), that container must be labeled with the product name and hazard information.
• Keep quantities small. Order only what the shop can use in a reasonable period.

Ventilation

Many barbershop chemicals release vapors that can irritate the respiratory tract. Good ventilation dilutes and removes these vapors. At a minimum, ensure that the work area has adequate air exchange — open windows or mechanical ventilation. When using high-vapor-pressure products such as alcohol disinfectants or aerosol sprays, avoid spraying toward other people and work in well-ventilated areas. If a chemical's SDS recommends a respirator, follow that guidance.

PPE in the Barbershop

The SDS Section 8 specifies the PPE required for each chemical. Common PPE in the barbershop includes:

• Nitrile or latex gloves — for handling disinfectants, relaxers, and bleach-based products.
• Safety glasses or goggles — when mixing concentrates or responding to spills.
• Protective apron — when handling corrosive concentrates.

Always put on PPE before handling the chemical, not after a spill has already occurred.

Spill Response

If a chemical spills:

1. Alert anyone nearby to move away from the spill area.

2. Don PPE (gloves, safety glasses) before approaching the spill.

3. Contain the spill using absorbent material appropriate for that chemical (refer to the SDS).

4. Dispose of absorbent material and contaminated items according to local regulations.

5. Ventilate the area.

6. Document the incident on an incident report form, including the chemical name, quantity, location, persons involved, and corrective action taken.

Never use paper towels to wipe up a strong corrosive without PPE, and never pour a spilled flammable liquid down a drain.

Regulatory Overview

OSHA's HazCom Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) requires employers to maintain an SDS for every hazardous chemical, ensure all containers are labeled, and train workers. State barber boards may have additional rules governing chemical use and storage. Compliance with both OSHA requirements and state board rules is mandatory for a licensed barbershop.