The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) ensures that hazardous chemicals are correctly classified and labeled with the correct chemical risk labels. GHS is a universal system with a set of criteria for hazardous chemicals that are used internationally. The GHS labeling system uses pictograms to communicate information about hazards. Understanding the meaning of these labels and their implications is crucial when working in a warehouse or stockroom where chemicals may be present. Any company dealing with hazardous materials within their premises must be aware of how the GHS labeling system impacts them. This article will tell you everything you need to know about understanding the GHS pictograms so that you can work safely and responsibly with hazardous chemicals.

What is GHS?

GHS is an internationally recognized system for classifying and labeling chemicals. The goal of this system is to create consistent chemical labels worldwide so that people can quickly and accurately assess hazards associated with chemicals. Different regulatory systems used to use different criteria for classifying chemicals and different labels to indicate the level of risk. This made it challenging to safely ship chemicals internationally and caused unnecessary confusion. Now, all regulatory systems use the same criteria and labels so that classifications and chemical risk can be easily understood on a global scale. GHS was developed in the early 2000’s and has been implemented in nations across the world since 2010.

Importance of Understanding GHS Pictograms

GHS pictograms are a visual representation of the hazards associated with each chemical. This is extremely important for people working with chemicals because it allows them to assess the risks associated with those chemicals without reading the entire label. This is crucial when chemicals need to be handled quickly, such as when assisting with emergency response. It is also important for workers to understand the pictograms because it can help them take precautions to minimize risk (e.g. wearing protective gear).

GHS Label Changes

While GHS is an important chemical classification system, the label itself has undergone some changes recently. Labels for hazardous chemicals are being updated to reflect the latest GHS chemical criteria. At the same time, regulations are being updated to require that chemical labels use updated GHS criteria. The overall goal of these changes is to create a safer environment for workers who handle chemicals by making labels easier to understand. These changes don’t mean that hazardous substances are any more or less dangerous. Instead, they reflect a new way of classifying chemicals and communicating risk.

Which Chemicals Need Hazard Labels?

All chemicals that have health and safety hazards associated with them will require a hazard label. Chemicals that fall under this category include solvents, flammable gases, carcinogens, and corrosive chemicals. Basically, any chemical that can harm you if you come into contact with it requires a label. Hazardous chemical labels should include information about what the chemical is and what risks it poses. The GHS system uses one or two pictograms to communicate the main risks associated with each chemical. The first pictogram is for health risks and the second is for environmental risks. There may also be other features on the label such as a signal word, product identifier, and chemical name.

Which GHS Labels Are Currently in Use?

The GHS system uses eight different labels to indicate different degrees of chemical risk. Each label indicates one or two health and environmental hazards associated with the chemical. Hazardous chemicals are classified into one of these categories: Dangerous Goods: the chemical is extremely hazardous and can cause death or serious injury if handled improperly or in high quantities. Extremely hazardous chemicals will be labeled with the red and black diamond-shaped pictogram. Very Hazardous Goods: the chemical is very hazardous and can cause death or serious injury if handled improperly or in high quantities. Very hazardous chemicals will be labeled with the red and black square-shaped pictogram. Hazardous Goods: the chemical is hazardous and can cause injury if handled improperly or in large quantities. Hazardous chemicals will be labeled with the black equilateral triangle-shaped pictogram. Oxidizing Agent: the chemical can rapidly oxidize other materials and cause fires or explosions. Oxidizing agents will be labeled with the yellow triangle-shaped pictogram. Corrosive: the chemical is able to corrode or destroy other materials. Corrosive chemicals will be labeled with the orange triangular pictogram. Toxic: the chemical can cause death or serious injury if it comes into contact with the skin or is inhaled. Toxic chemicals will be labeled with the red equilateral triangle-shaped pictogram. Very Toxic: the chemical can cause death or serious injury if it comes into contact with the skin or is inhaled. Very toxic chemicals will be labeled with the red diamond-shaped pictogram. Sensitizer: the chemical can cause an allergic reaction in people who are exposed to it. Sensitizers will be labeled with the black square-shaped pictogram. Other Hazards: the chemical has other hazards that don’t fit in the above categories. Other hazards will be labeled with the black rectangular pictogram.

What Do The Different Shapes and Colors Mean?

Each label is made up of one or two pictograms. The first pictogram (normally to the left) indicates the chemical’s health hazards. The second pictogram (to the right) indicates the chemical’s environmental hazards. The shapes and colors associated with the first pictogram will always be the same. The shapes and colors associated with the second pictogram will depend on the chemical’s hazards. There are different shapes and colors for each of the 8 hazard labels listed above. Here is a quick breakdown of what each shape and color stands for: – Dangerous Goods: red diamond-shaped pictogram for health hazards; black diamond-shaped pictogram for environmental hazards – Very Dangerous Goods: red square-shaped pictogram for health hazards; black square-shaped pictogram for environmental hazards – Hazardous Goods: black equilateral triangle-shaped pictogram for health hazards; yellow equilateral triangle-shaped pictogram for environmental hazards – Oxidizing Agent: yellow triangle-shaped pictogram for health hazards; orange triangle-shaped pictogram for environmental hazards – Corrosive: orange triangular pictogram for health hazards; red triangular pictogram for environmental hazards – Toxic: red equilateral triangle-shaped pictogram for health hazards; red diamond-shaped pictogram for environmental hazards – Very Toxic: red diamond-shaped pictogram for health hazards; red square-shaped pictogram for environmental hazards – Sensitizer: black square-shaped pictogram for health hazards; black triangular pictogram for environmental hazards – Other Hazards: black rectangular pictogram for health hazards; black triangular pictogram for environmental hazards.

Conclusion

The GHS chemical classification and labeling system is an important way to communicate the risk associated with hazardous chemicals. GHS uses one or two pictograms on each label to indicate health and environmental hazards. The first pictogram indicates the chemical’s health hazards and the second indicates environmental hazards. GHS uses eight different labels to communicate chemical risk. The shapes and colors associated with each pictogram will depend on the specific hazards associated with the chemical. These changes to the classification system will help make chemicals safer to handle by making the labels easier to understand.