Which term is listed as a major component of a HAZCOM program?

• A. Hazard determinants
• B. Medical surveillance
• C. Emergency action plan
• D. PPE policy

Answer: (A)

Hazard determinants are at the heart of a HazCom program because identifying and classifying the hazards of each chemical is the starting point for everything that follows. By performing hazard determinations, you decide what risks a chemical presents (health effects, flammability, reactivity, etc.) and use that information to shape labels, the Safety Data Sheets, and the training workers receive. Without this step, the communication about risks would lack specificity and accuracy, making it harder for employees to understand what protections they need.

Medical surveillance, emergency action plans, and PPE policies are important safety topics, but they belong to different areas of workplace safety. Medical surveillance focuses on health monitoring, emergency action plans cover evacuation and response procedures, and PPE policy deals with using protective equipment. They are not the central elements that drive the HazCom program, which is grounded in determining hazards and communicating that information to workers.