The information required on a chemical label is standardized globally to ensure rapid, consistent hazard communication for anyone handling the substance. This standardization is achieved through the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), which the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) adopted in the United States through its Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). These harmonized labels serve as an immediate, universal tool for assessing chemical risk. The primary goal is to provide users with clear, actionable information regarding potential health and physical hazards to enable safe handling and storage practices.
Essential Identification Details
The foundational elements of any compliant chemical label are the details that identify the product and the party responsible for its classification and distribution. Every hazardous chemical container must prominently feature a Product Identifier, which is the name or code used to track the substance. This identifier must match the one listed on the chemical’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to ensure the correct safety documentation is always accessible.
The label must also include the full name, address, and telephone number of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party. This supplier identification provides a clear point of contact for users who require further information or need to report an emergency. These elements are necessary for regulatory compliance and supply chain accountability.
Visual Alerts: Signal Words and Pictograms
Two highly visible elements immediately convey the severity and type of hazard present: the signal word and the pictograms. The signal word is one of two terms indicating the relative level of hazard severity. “DANGER” is reserved for chemicals that present the most severe hazards, while “WARNING” indicates a less severe, though still potential, risk.
Pictograms are standardized graphic symbols, enclosed within a red diamond border, used to quickly communicate the specific nature of the hazard without relying on language. There are nine pictograms recognized under the GHS, covering physical, health, and environmental hazards.
- Flame: Indicates flammable materials, such as liquids, gases, or solids that can easily ignite.
- Exploding Bomb: Used for explosives, self-reactive substances, or organic peroxides that present a risk of explosion.
- Flame Over Circle: Signifies oxidizers, which are chemicals that can cause or intensify a fire by yielding oxygen.
- Gas Cylinder: Used for gases stored under pressure, including compressed, liquefied, or dissolved gases.
- Skull and Crossbones: Indicates acute toxicity, meaning the chemical can be fatal or toxic if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin.
- Corrosion: Represents substances that can cause severe skin burns, serious eye damage, or are corrosive to metals.
- Health Hazard: Communicates chronic or long-term health risks, including carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, or respiratory sensitization.
- Exclamation Mark: Covers less severe health hazards, such as skin or eye irritation, or a lower level of acute toxicity.
- Environment: Used for aquatic toxicity, though it is not mandatory under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard.
Specific Risk Descriptions and Safety Instructions
To complement the visual alerts, the label must include specific textual statements that provide detailed information about the hazards and how to manage them safely. These Hazard Statements are standardized phrases that precisely describe the nature of the chemical’s hazard and the degree of its severity. For example, a statement might read, “Highly flammable liquid and vapor” or “Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.”
Each standardized hazard statement is assigned a unique alphanumeric code, such as H225 for highly flammable liquids, ensuring consistent classification globally. These statements are determined by the chemical’s hazard classification and must be included on the label for every applicable hazard class and category.
Precautionary Statements are the second type of required textual information, offering clear, standardized instructions on how to minimize or prevent adverse effects from the chemical. These statements are grouped into four categories: Prevention, Response, Storage, and Disposal.
Prevention
Prevention statements advise on actions to take before handling, such as wearing specific protective equipment or avoiding certain conditions, like “Wear eye protection.”
Response
Response statements describe the actions to take in case of accidental exposure or spill, such as “Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes” or “Call a POISON CENTER/doctor if you feel unwell.”
Storage
Storage statements provide guidance on safe containment, which may include phrases like “Store in a well-ventilated place” or “Keep container tightly closed.”
Disposal
Disposal statements dictate the proper method for discarding the chemical and its container, ensuring environmental protection.