CSLB Law & Business ExamSafetyHard
A general contractor hires three subcontractors to work simultaneously on a large remodeling project. One subcontractor's crew is exposed to hazardous chemicals brought onto the site by another subcontractor. Under Cal/OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, who bears responsibility for ensuring the exposed crew has access to relevant hazard information?
- AOnly the subcontractor that brought the chemicals onto the site
- BThe general contractor, who must ensure hazard information is available to all employers and employees on a multi-employer site
- COnly the property owner, since they control the site
- DNo one, since each subcontractor is solely responsible for its own employees
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. The general contractor, who must ensure hazard information is available to all employers and employees on a multi-employer site
On multi-employer worksites, the general contractor has a duty to ensure that hazard communication information, such as SDS, is made available to all employers and employees who may be exposed, coordinating between subcontractors so exposed workers are informed regardless of which company brought in the hazardous substance.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The chemical-owning subcontractor has duties, but the GC must coordinate site-wide hazard communication.
- C. Property owners typically are not the responsible party for HazCom coordination.
- D. Ignoring the shared exposure would leave workers uninformed, violating HazCom principles.
Multi-Employer HazCom Duty
On worksites with multiple employers, the general contractor must ensure that hazard information about chemicals is communicated to all exposed employees, not just those of the employer who introduced the hazard.
- Applies when different subcontractors' employees may be exposed to shared hazards
- GC must coordinate SDS access and hazard information sharing
- Failure to coordinate can result in Cal/OSHA citations against the GC
Memory trick: General contractor is the safety hub for all subs