HAZARD PICTOGRAMS: what it is
According to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) developed by the United Nations, a hazard pictogram is a graphical composition that includes a symbol and other graphic elements such as a border, background patterns, and colors.
GHS hazard pictograms have a diamond shape (a square on a point) with a red border containing a black hazard picture on a white background.
HAZARD PICTOGRAMS: why it is needed
GHS pictograms have been adopted and implemented worldwide in different local regulations including EU CLP regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008.
They are a required component on the label and safety data sheet (SDS) of a hazardous substance or mixture to visually convey specific information about the hazards that the substance or mixture can cause to human health and/or the environment.
In practice, pictograms help workers and users in the supply chain quickly recognize the hazards linked to the product they are handling or using so that they can act properly. As a visual communication element, a pictogram is significantly effective in sending warnings to its audiences and getting their immediate attention.
Therefore, to ensure the compliance and the meaning of SDSs and labels, it is critical to properly apply hazard pictograms which:
- are up to date (as certain pictograms are obsolete and have been replaced)
- follow all graphical requirements
- correctly reflect the hazard properties of the substance or mixture
- are in alignment with other elements of the SDS and labels such as warning words, hazard classes & categories, hazard statements, and precaution statements.
- are displayed in the correct sections of the SDS and labels
If you are not quite sure, let our experts handle this task.
GHS HAZARD PICTOGRAMS: symbols, description, and meaning
There are 03 groups of hazard pictograms:
- Physical hazard pictograms: with code GHS01, GHS02, GHS03, GHS04, GHS05
- Health hazard pictograms: with code GHS05, GHS06, GHS07, GHS08
- Environmental hazard pictograms: with code GHS09
Code: GHS01
Symbol: Exploding bomb
Description: Explosive
Meaning(s):
- Unstable explosive
- Explosive; mass explosion hazard
- Explosive; severe projection hazard
- Explosive; fire, blast, or projection hazard
Code: GHS02
Symbol: Flame
Description: Flammable
Meaning(s):
- Extremely flammable gas
- Flammable gas
- Extremely flammable aerosol
- Flammable aerosol
- Highly flammable liquid and vapour
- Flammable liquid and vapour
- Flammable solid
Code: GHS03
Symbol: Flame over circle
Description: Oxidising
Meaning(s):
- May cause or intensify fire
- Strong oxidizer. May cause fire or explosion.
Code: GHS04
Symbol: Gas cylinder
Description: Gas under pressure
Meaning(s):
- Contains gas under pressure, may explode if heated
- Contains refrigerated gas, and may cause cryogenic burns or injury.
Code: GHS05
Symbol: Corrosion
Description: Corrosion
Meaning(s):
- May be corrosive to metals
- Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Code: GHS06
Symbol: Exclamation mark
Description: Health hazard or Hazardous to the ozone layer
Meaning(s):
- Fatal if swallowed
- Fatal in contact with skin
- Fatal if inhaled
- Toxic: if swallowed
- Toxic in contact with skin
- Toxic if inhaled
Code: GHS07
Symbol: Skulls and Crossbones
Description: Corrosion
Meaning(s):
- May cause respiratory irritation
- May cause drowsiness or dizziness
- May cause an allergic skin reaction
- Causes serious eye irritation
- Causes skin irritation
- Harmful if swallowed
- Harmful in contact with skin
- Harmful if inhaled
- Harms public health and the environment by destroying ozone in the upper atmosphere
Code: GHS08
Symbol: Health hazard
Description: Serious health hazard
Meaning(s):
- May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways
- Causes damage to organs
- May cause damage to organs
- May damage fertility or the unborn child
- Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child
- May cause cancer
- Suspected of causing cancer
- May cause genetic defects
- Suspected of causing genetic defects
- May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled
Code: GHS09
Symbol: Environment
Description: Hazardous to the environment
Meaning(s):
- Very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects
- Toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects
