{"id":15713,"date":"2016-03-03T17:55:46","date_gmt":"2016-03-03T22:55:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.atlantictraining.com\/blog\/?p=15713"},"modified":"2025-10-07T22:46:01","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T02:46:01","slug":"ghs-hazard-communication-labels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.atlantictraining.com\/blog\/ghs-hazard-communication-labels\/","title":{"rendered":"What GHS Hazard Communication Labels Mean"},"content":{"rendered":"

The United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS hazard communication) is due to be fully implemented in the United States within the year. \u00a0 According to OSHA,\u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>The new standard covers over 43 million workers who produce or handle hazardous chemicals in more than five million workplaces across the country. The modification is expected to prevent over 500 workplace injuries and illnesses and 43 fatalities annually.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Where\u00a0the previous (1994) standard allowed chemical manufacturers and importers in the United States to convey hazard information on labels and material safety data sheets in whatever format they chose, the\u00a0GHS hazard communication standard provides a single set of criteria that can be used around the world not only to classify chemicals according to their health and physical hazards, but to convey those hazards via universal hazard communication elements in\u00a0labeling and safety data sheets.<\/p>\n

The map below shows in red the countries that have, to some notable degree, already implemented the GHS.<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

\u00a0\"GHS<\/a><\/h2>\n

For your conveience, OSHA has prepared a side-by-side comparison of the old\u00a0HazCom Standard (HCS 1994) against the Revised Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 2012). \u00a0While it is no doubt important for those most concerned with implementing these standards in their workplace to become familiar with the ins and outs of these changes, we wanted to take a practical look at just one aspect of the new standard – labels, and, in particular, the new pictograms. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Labels<\/span><\/h2>\n

Under the new system,\u00a0chemical manufacturers and importers must provide or any chemical a label that includes a signal word, pictogram, hazard statement, and precautionary statement for each hazard class and category. \u00a0The GHS hazard communication uses a total of nine pictograms, though OSHA will only enforce the use of eight (the environmental hazard pictogram is not mandatory). \u00a0 There is a lot of information out there about how these labels are to be used and the processes for classification, but not as much about what they actually mean in terms of worker reality. \u00a0 So, below, we take a look at the practical implications of the new GHS hazard communication labels.<\/p>\n

Most of the information here has been curated from OSHA’s GHS Hazard Communication Standard Pictogram Quick Card<\/a>, OSHA\u2019s detailed Hazard Classification Guidance for Manufacturers, Importers, and Employers<\/a>,\u00a0and the UN document “Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)”. \u00a0In general the information provided in these last two documents is very similar, but we have noted where in each detailed information on the particular hazard question can be found (OSHA <\/a>section\/ GHS Chapter).<\/p>

\"GHS<\/a><\/h3>\n

Health Hazard<\/h4>\n

Carcinogens (VII.6\/ 3.6)<\/b>: A substance or a mixture of substances which induce cancer or increase its incidence in living cells. These include a wide variety of chemicals as well as radioactive substances. OSHA, NTP, and IARC list the specific chemicals they consider to be carcinogens (VII.6.2). <\/span><\/p>\n

Mutagenicity (VII.5\/ 3.5): <\/b>This means that a substance is capable of causing permanent genetic changes <\/span>that can be passed on from parent to child<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Genotoxic and genotoxicity<\/span><\/i>. These apply to agents or processes which alter the structure, information content, or segregation of DNA, including those which cause DNA damage by interfering with normal replication processes, or which in a non-physiological manner (temporarily) alter its replication. Positive genotoxicity test results are usually taken as indicators for mutagenic effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reproductive Toxicity (VII.7\/ 3.7): \u00a0<\/b>These are chemicals that can interfere with any stage of reproduction, from sexual function and fertility to developmental problems in utero.<\/span><\/p>\n

Respiratory Sensitizer (VII.4\/ 3.4):<\/b> This is a substance that induces hypersensitivity of the airways that can result in severe allergic reactions and asthma, either of which can be fatal. \u00a0Poison Ivy is a common example of a respiratory sensitizer, but others can be much more damaging<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Target Organ Toxicity (VII.8 & 9\/ 3.8 & 3.9): <\/b>This generally refers to substances that can be damaging to a specific, usually internal, organ such as the kidneys or nervous system. \u00a0This category of hazard is divided into single-exposure and repeated- or prolonged-exposure, according to how much contact is required to cause damage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aspiration Toxicity (VII.10\/ 3.10):<\/b> In short, an aspiration toxicity hazard indicates a substance that may cause a person to asphyxiate due to a blockage of the airway. \u00a0(Aspiration refers to the entry of a liquid or solid chemical directly through the oral or nasal cavity, or indirectly from vomiting, into the trachea and lower respiratory system.)<\/span><\/p>\n

Aspiration toxicity, then, \u00a0includes severe acute effects such as chemical pneumonia, varying degrees of pulmonary injury or death following aspiration, but the aspiration of a substance or mixture can also occur due to vomiting following ingestion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Simple Asphyxiants (VII.11): <\/b>A substance or mixture that displaces oxygen in the ambient atmosphere, and can thus cause oxygen deprivation in those who are exposed, leading to unconsciousness and death.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"GHS<\/a><\/h4>\n

Flame<\/h4>\n

Flammables<\/strong> are materials that\u00a0are (1) easily ignited and (2) burn with extreme rapidity. \u00a0Their danger is self-explanatory. \u00a0The nature of that danger, however, can be classified in different ways. They include flammable<\/p>\n