Contractor License Practice Exam

Are companies with fewer than 10 employees required to prepare a written hazard communication program?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Only in certain industries

4. Only if chemicals are present

The correct answer is: No

Companies with fewer than 10 employees are not required to prepare a written hazard communication program due to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. While all employers must ensure that their employees are aware of hazards associated with chemicals in the workplace, OSHA allows for certain exemptions for small businesses. Specifically, these smaller companies can communicate hazardous information through other means such as labels, safety data sheets, and training, rather than a formal written program. This exemption is part of OSHA's broader goal to reduce the regulatory burden on small businesses, recognizing that a written program may not be necessary for very small operations where hazards are minimal or where employee numbers make implementing such a program overly burdensome. Thus, the requirement for a written program is often viewed as more relevant to larger organizations where the presence of multiple employees and a wider variety of hazards necessitates structured communication systems.