GHS Signal Words: What You Need to Know for Hazardous Chemicals
The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals was created to help manage the handling of hazardous chemicals worldwide. Since its inception, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has adopted GHS as part of its standardized workplace safety requirements.
If you’re wondering what the many GHS signal words mean regarding hazardous chemicals management, we’re here to help.
Read on to learn more about the importance of GHS labeling standards, what they mean, and everything else you need to know.
GHS Signal Words: The Basics
There are two main GHS signal words you’ll find on a variety of hazardous chemical labels which include “warning” and “danger.” In a nutshell, anything with the word “warning” on it is important, but chemicals featuring the word “danger” mean the chemical is much more severe in terms of potential threats to physical safety. Let’s break down the differences between the two.
Warning
According to GHS labeling standards, anything with the GHS signal word “warning” means it has a lesser chemical hazard. While that’s true, the chemical is still potentially harmful and should always be handled correctly.
However, these chemicals are less likely to cause severe damage to people or things. Any chemicals with this label must also include a specific hazard statement describing the possible hazards in more detail.
So, when would you see or use the word “warning” on chemical safety labels? There are only certain instances when this signal word would be used, including:
- Comubsitble and/or flammable gases, liquids, and vapors
- Certain self-heating substances
- Fire and projection hazards
- Anything containing potential carcinogens
- Substances that could cause genetic or reproductive harm
- Chemicals containing mild skin and eye irritants
- Certain corrosive substances
- Some substances which are toxic when touched, inhaled, or ingested
- Certain pressurized containers
Keep in mind that all of these are still hazards that can harm human health. Although they’re not as severe as chemicals with the “danger” signal word, they should still always be handled carefully and taken seriously to ensure workplace safety.
Danger
The “warning” signal word describes moderate hazards, but the “danger” signal words mean the chemical presents a much more serious hazard. If those chemicals are used or handled incorrectly, it could cause severe harm to someone’s health and well-being.
All chemicals must have the appropriate hazard classification systems in place to provide proper warning. Anything with the word “danger” should also be accompanied by a hazard statement that includes details about the hazards associated with it.
Here are some examples of when the word “danger” should be included on the chemical label per GHS labeling standards:
- Any substance that causes or fuels fires
- Toxic substances potentially resulting in serious illness or death
- All severe skin or eye irritants
- Explosive and extremely flammable substances
- Highly corrosive chemicals
- Anything that causes severe skin or eye irritation
- Substances known to cause genetic or reproductive harm
- Anything that may damage certain organs
- Known carcinogens
Each of these hazards has a much higher potential to cause serious or even fatal harm to humans. That means they’re much riskier than chemicals with the “warning” GHS signal label. Keeping your SDS sheets up to date is vital to ensure that everyone in the workplace is aware of how to handle these chemicals correctly.
Understanding and Reading Chemical Safety Labels
All potentially hazardous and hazardous chemicals must have GHS chemical safety labels on the container. But, how do you read these labels and what does each part mean?
There are six specific parts of every label that must be included if the chemical meets GHS guidelines. While there may be more, these six elements must always be present on every label.
The six elements include the product identifier, signal word, pictogram, hazard statement(s), precautionary statements/first aid, and supplier information. Let’s break each of these elements down so you know what they mean.
First, the product identifier is what identifies the chemical name or product. The signal word is what we’ve discussed: the hazard level of either “warning” or “danger.”
The pictograms (or symbols) on the label identify the product and are usually grouped by chemical/physical risk, health risk, and environmental risk. Hazard statements are short phrases describing the nature of the product and the degree of hazard it possesses. This statement is also on the chemical’s SDS or Safety Data Sheet, identified by an H-Code.
Precautionary statements and first aid will include information tied to the chemical’s hazard statement. This should include general preventative, response, storage, or disposal precautions and it’s also found on the SDS identified by a P-Code.
Finally, the label should include supplier information. That information identifies the manufacturer’s name, address, and telephone number.
A Note on Multiple Hazards
Some chemicals may present more than one hazard, making it more difficult to use the appropriate label. Anything that has more than one hazard associated with it can only use one signal word per chemical.
The GHS signal word should correspond to the chemical’s most dangerous hazard to ensure that it’s OSHA and GHS-compliant. This is also extremely crucial to ensure worker safety since employees must know what the most serious hazards of any product are when handling them.
Use the “warning” label if the hazards are moderate and describe all of them. If they are all severe, use the word “danger,” and use that word if a chemical has a mixture of moderate and dangerous hazards to be on the safe side.
A good rule of thumb is to always include as much information about each hazard as possible int he label’s hazard statement. Employees should be given thorough training and the appropriate SDS and reference materials so they fully understand best practices.
Labels Matter
The GHS signal words used on chemical labels are vital to protect worker safety. Understanding what these words and labels mean is also important to protect your business and employees.
Since 1985, Kelleher, Helmrich and Associates, Inc. (KHA) has been a dedicated leader in Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Management, so contact us today to find out how we can help you.