It is up to the responsible party to decide how they will do this. Summary of OSHA standards and labeling requirements for Hazardous Chemical Containers Laboratory Areas & Use The GHS symbols used by OSHA are used all over the world. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a set of labeling guidelines in place for chemicals being used, stored or otherwise handled in laboratories. Common examples include: They usually contain chemicals that have been transferred from their primary container. However, the GHS takes into consideration that, sometimes, it’s not possible to keep workers safe with only these six label requirements, which is why it also allows for supplemental information. HCL Labels offers chemical and solvent resistant, adhesive vinyl GHS-labels to simplify your chemical organization and labeling. One common example may be an additional hazard that isn’t covered by the nine GHS symbols we just covered. OSHA’s final Hazard Communication Standard deadline around the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals is quickly approaching. Six Label Requirements. These are broken down into three main categories: The GHS provides objective standards for classifying each of these categories. Labeling. These are the types of containers that are used to transport chemicals from the manufacturers. As mentioned, labels must be in English and French. Unfortunately, any amount of confusion when moving or otherwise handling dangerous chemicals can result in major problems, including death. :^|;s*)gclid=([^;]*)').exec(document.cookie)) ? – must include their contact information on the label. Even if they did label it, the message may have provided little in the way of helpful information. Not so long ago, working with hazardous chemicals was especially dangerous because, often times, employees didn’t know exactly what they were dealing with. Of course, there could be still be situations where containers are too small for even this much information, but OSHA has provided further instructions for those. While GHS standards are only a guideline, HazCom 2012 is a legal mandate. The standard for these GHS symbols is to have a red square set on a point against a white background with a black symbol inside. Workers would have to use their best judgment when transporting, storing, or extracting the chemical. Little Pro on 2016-01-06 Views: Update:2019-11-16. Please upgrade today! Includes critical information you need to identify the chemical, Includes warnings about the chemical, Legible are the requirements for chemical labels Step-by-step explanation: A GHS classification is used by manufacturers to communicate the main risks involved with a specific chemical. Labels are not required to include the identity of the container’s contents, only that the contents are hazardous. Pesticide Product Labels – The information on this page is intended to help the pesticide registrant and the public better access, understand, and use information about pesticide labels. In short, the GHS ensures that a chemical originating from the U.S. is labeled the same way it would in China. Labels for these containers must still follow the applicable GHS framework, except when the following applies: Companies are also given a lot of flexibility for how they wish to label secondary containers. This is for chemicals that would be unsafe to touch and/or would prove corrosive to metals. At Luminer, we can help. There are four precautionary statements that can be used on GHS labels: A forward slash (/) is used whenever a classifier wants to shorten statements, as in the case of lists. Secondary chemical containers are the chemical containers most often found in the workplace. Chemical safety signs and labels can do much more than identify a substance. There are only two GHS signal words, though: The former is used for lesser hazards while the latter is for labeling those with greater degrees of severity. Here are specifics for 11 other countries, including the EU: While the GHS framework was designed to be as user-friendly as possible, not every company has the resources to label their products. If a label producer feels as though there is other information that workers should know about when handling, transporting, or storing a chemical, the GHS framework provides room to supply it. These requirements impact chemical manufacturers, importers, and distributors. This is a fairly straightforward GHS label requirement. Labels must be in English, but other languages may be included. However, the GHS takes into consideration that, sometimes, it’s not possible to keep workers safe with only these six label requirements, which is why it also allows for supplemental information. Ensure that a hazardous chemical is correctly labelled if the chemical is manufactured at the workplace; or transferred This system covers: Before implementing the GHS, standards for labeling chemicals were different all over the world. Global GHS Label Size Requirement 2019. While various countries may still have differing laws about different chemicals, these labels streamline the process of assessing their associated risks. A good example of a label for acetone that meets OSHA requirements is included below. If you need labels for new or stock chemicals, Cornell University has an excellent site for printing up your own chemical labels located, Office of Environmental Health and Safety. A chemical label should include: a product identifier, signal word, hazard statement, precautionary statement,pictorgrams and supplier information. The point of these descriptions is to quickly alert workers to the kinds of precautions they should take to minimize the chances of exposure, improper storage, or incorrect handling of the hazardous chemical. Labels provided by suppliers should never be removed, modified, or defaced. These sheets provide important information about chemical hazards through 16 different sections, including: The main purpose of an SDS is to give workers instructions for dealing with potential worst-case scenarios like direct exposure to the chemical or a major accident. These GHS symbols are used to quickly let workers know about the chemical inside, even if they’re not close enough to read the other information provided. The GHS-inspired standards will require chemical manufacturers and importers to label chemical containers with 1) a harmonized signal word 2) GHS pictogram (s) 3) a hazard statement for each hazard class and category and 4) a precautionary statement. There … Many countries have set GHS label requirements on sizes for chemical … Again, though, some leeway is approved in order to improve readability and reduce redundancies when using GHS hazard statements. Label Submission. There are two types of containers GHS labels may appear on: primary and secondary. MSDS Labels quickly inform users of the hazard level associated with a certain chemical. The party responsible for the container and its contents – whether that be the manufacturer, distributor, importer, etc. Labeling is the cornerstone of GHS compliance. NFPA Diamond Label This is the traditionally accepted diamond-shaped chemical warning label. GHS stands for Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. All businesses that handle chemicals, even those not normally considered dangerous, such as household window cleaner, must keep material safety data sheets for each substance. To clarify requirements related to Poison Centres (Unique Formula Identifiers (UFIs)). TTY 617.373.3768 The main provisions of the new revised Annex II are: The alignment of Safety Data Sheets with UN GHS Revisions 6 & 7. © 2012 Northeastern University. This symbol is for chemicals that could be toxic or fatal. Another component of the GHS is the Safety Data Sheet (SDS). Usually, different precautionary statements are to be read as independent of one another. GHS hazard statements explain the nature of the chemical’s hazard. With an emphasis on consistency and comprehension of chemical labels, it is important to know what goes into a GHS label for primary and secondary containers. OSHA requires chemical containers to be labeled. Chemical Labels Under HazCom 2012. Then, in 1992, the United Nations decided to come up with a solution to this persistent problem. This is non-mandatory but represents the threat of aquatic toxicity. It’s important to point out that the GHS is only a collection of guidelines and not legal obligations. Copyright © 2020 Luminer Converting Group Inc. |, GHS Labeling Requirements: The Definitive Guide, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), How Other Countries Handle Small Containers, All About CBD Labeling: What Ex-HEMPlary Businesses Should Know. Seeing as how GHS requirements are just guidelines, other countries have also interpreted them to accommodate companies that use small containers. the hazardous chemical is a consumer product, retaining its original label and only used in workplaces in household quantities and in a way that is incidental to the nature of the work, or a hazardous chemical is in transit. For instance, all shipped hazardous chemical containers must be labeled with a signal word, pictogram, hazard statement, and a precautionary statement for each hazard class and category. The European Union has another 26. The implementation of the GHS requirements has changed the information that is needed on a label. When choosing a chemical label, you will have a few decisions to make. The rules for labeling these different types are slightly different. They can strictly follow the GHS framework, adopt rules used by the supplier, or come up with some version of their own. In total, there are 29 GHS classification categories for unique hazards. According to the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), chemical manufacturers, distributors, and importers must provide Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), for each hazardous chemical. This symbol represents a gas that is under pressure. Keep in mind, too, that some companies do nothing but transport and handle these types of chemicals, so a consistent method for quickly labeling and identifying them is important. and any controlled product sold in a container with less than 100 ml may contain less information than listed above. Unlike GHS signal words, there is no hierarchy wherein one statement would be sufficient to cover lesser hazards. They may be bilingual (as one label), or be presented as two labels (one each in English and French). This symbol indicates that a chemical is flammable, self-heating, pyrophoric, emits a flammable gas, is an organic peroxide, and/or is self-reactive. While chemical shipping containers must have the full GHS label, OSHA provides employers with a lot of flexibility to create their own secondary container labeling systems. The only rule is that the supplemental information cannot detract from or contradict the required information GHS labels must include. The HCS requires chemical manufacturers, Some examples of these classifications would include: This information is provided where the GHS hazard statements go, which we’ll cover in more detail in the following section. This is required to enhance safety and environmental protection. These GHS label requirements are meant to succinctly communicate key information about what is inside. All labels are required to have pictograms, a signal word, hazard and precautionary statements, the product identifier, and supplier identification. That said, to save space, these statements can be combined on GHS labels, so long as they still communicate the vital information. Both options print in … OSHA Requirements for Secondary Container Labels However, it’s the actual statement that must appear on the label in order for it to comply with the GHS framework. GHS Chemical Labels. If chemicals are not exempted or covered under other regulations as indicated above, OSHA then says labels are required for them if they are hazardous chemicals. OSHA defines a hazardous chemical as anything that is a physical or health hazard. Physical hazards are pretty straight forward. They include flammable and combustible liquids, compressed gasses, explosives, organic peroxides, oxidizers, pyrophorics, and water reactives. Health hazards are a little harder to determine, however OSHA indicates they include the following: carcinogens; reproductive toxins; sensitizers; irritants; corrosives; neurotoxins; hapatotoxins; nephrotoxins; agents that act the hematopoitic system; and agents that damage the lungs, skin, eyes or mucus membranes. Because determining a health hazard can be somewhat subjective and dependent on dose and other factors, the following link should assist you defining these further: The name, address and emergency phone number of the company responsible for the product, The warning may be a single word – “danger”, “warning” and “caution” – or may identify the primary hazard, both physical (i.e., water reactive, flammable or explosive) and health (i.e., carcinogen, corrosive, or irritant). Most labels will provide you with additional safety information to help you protect yourself while working with substances. This includes protective measures to be used when handling the material, clothing that should be worn, first aid instructions, storage information and procedures to follow in the event of a fire, leak or spill. Get Our GHS Labeling Systems Buyer's Guide. Technically, the EPA only requires having the words “hazardous waste,” in a description of any container of hazards, along with the date the accumulation started. The series meets all requirements for the classification and labeling of hazardous chemicals as outlined by the GHS. All hazardous chemical labels must be made with six different indicators. The symbol must be big enough that it can be easily recognized by a worker. Requirements & Considerations for Chemical Labels. As we touched on earlier, the GHS isn’t international law. OSHA Requirements for MSDS Sheets. The cab XC4 thermal printer produces high-quality labels up to 105.6mm and the XC6 produces print widths up to 162.6mm. Chemical Labelling Requirements Requirements for labeling of chemical containers come from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hazard Communication and Laboratory Safety standards. Update chemical containers with GHS labels. Labeling Requirements for Secondary Containers. There are four different types of precautionary statements that might show up on these labels: The prevention statement instructs the user on how to minimize exposure; The response statement describes the procedure might you be exposed to the chemical; The storage statement describes the storage requirements for the chemical in detail This symbol means that a chemical is an irritant, will trigger an allergic reaction, is acutely toxic, has narcotic effects, irritates the respiratory tract, and/or is hazardous to the ozone layer. The letter-number combination that precedes the GHS hazard classification is only for reference. This represents any chemical that is an organic peroxide, self-reactive, and/or explosive. Labels on chemical containers are smaller than a safety data sheet and, as a result, they can’t include as much information. Holiday Product Packaging: Popular Examples to Inspire Your Brand, ‘Bee’ Compliant: How to Properly Label Your Honey Products, GHS Guide to Chemical & Hazmat Labeling Requirements, Consumer Survey: The Packaging & Labeling Tactics that Grab Shoppers’ Attention on the Shelf, The Role of Pharmaceutical Labeling in Avoiding Common Medication Mistakes, Exposure Controls and Personal Protection, H281: Contains refrigerated gas; may cause cryogenic burns or injury, H305: May be harmful if swallowed and enters airways, H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure, H412: Harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects, Substances which emit flammable gases after they come in contact with water, Target Organ Systemic Toxicity – Repeated Exposure, Target Organ Systemic Toxicity – Single Exposure, Hazardous to Aquatic Environment (Acute/Chronic), Prevention: Steps to take to protect against exposure, Response: What to do in the event of a spill or some other kind of accident that may lead to exposure, Storage: How to store the container to ensure it’s secure and doesn’t pose a threat, Disposal: How to dispose of the chemical safely, The chemical is used during the work shift of the employee who made the transfer, The employee who transferred the chemical is in the work area for the duration of its use, The secondary container remains in the possession of the employee who transferred it and within the work area, Applicable label elements as described in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(1) must be clearly visible, Instructions for storing the small container inside the outer container that bears the complete label, Alternative labeling the manufacturer deemed necessary, provided it does not conflict with other required standards, No specification for what qualifies as a small container, Small containers are any that are 100 ml or less, Precautionary and hazard statements can be excluded, Small containers are any that are 125 ml or less, Precautionary statements, hazard statements, signal words,  and pictograms can be excluded, Certain elements can be excluded based on their GHS classification, Product identifier and pictogram(s) are required. 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