California Cosmetology Written ExamSafety and Infection ControlMedium
A salon receives a shipment of a new quaternary ammonium disinfectant concentrate. The manufacturer's original label is missing hazard warnings because the product was decanted into an unlabeled spray bottle for daily use by multiple technicians. Under Cal/OSHA Hazard Communication requirements, what must the salon do?
- ALabel the secondary spray bottle with the product identity and hazard warning information
- BVerbally inform each new employee about the chemical instead of labeling
- CNo label is required as long as the SDS binder is available somewhere in the salon
- DOnly the original manufacturer container requires a label
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Label the secondary spray bottle with the product identity and hazard warning information
Cal/OSHA Hazard Communication rules require that any secondary container used by more than one person or across shifts be labeled with the product identity and appropriate hazard warnings, not just the original container. Having an SDS on file does not eliminate the labeling requirement.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Incorrect — verbal notice does not satisfy the written labeling requirement for shared-use containers.
- C. Incorrect — an SDS binder supplements but does not replace required container labeling.
- D. Incorrect — the exemption for unlabeled secondary containers only applies to immediate use by the same person during one shift.
Secondary Container Labeling
Under Cal/OSHA Hazard Communication rules, any decanted chemical container used by more than one person or beyond one shift must be labeled with product identity and hazard warnings.
- Original labels must never be removed or defaced
- Secondary containers used by only one person during one shift are exempt
- SDS must still be accessible regardless of labeling
- Applies to disinfectants, chemical services products, and cleaning solutions
Memory trick: Pour it into a new bottle, slap a new warning label on it too.