The flammable GHS pictogram is used on chemicals that emit flammable gas or could self-ignite when exposed to water or air.

The GHS label will specify which materials or exposure routes can be corroded by a substance. Like all health hazard symbols, you should leave the container tightly sealed until you know more. Also, you'll need to consider the types of tools or containers you can safely use.

Hazard symbol

As an international standard, GHS uses hazard symbols to convey information without relying on a specific language. Let's look at these hazard pictograms' meanings.

Multiple hazard pictograms can appear on a label when they apply. GHS pictograms may also be used on hazard signs to encourage caution in a specific storage or work area.

This pictogram means you should leave the container tightly closed and away from any sources of heat until you know more. You also need to be careful about changing any storage conditions, including what other substances or materials get placed near these containers.

Electrical exposure causes injuries in direct proportion to the amount of electricity and the time of exposure. It follows that any effort made to reduce the amount of electricity will also reduce the severity of the consequences of any exposure. Electrical equipment on building sites, particularly power tools and other portable equipment and their leads face harsh conditions and rough use. They are likely to be easily damaged and become dangerous. Modern double insulated tools are well protected but their leads are still vulnerable. Precautions which can be taken are:

The environmental hazard GHS pictogram indicates that a chemical is toxic to aquatic wildlife. This is the only GHS symbol that's not mandatory.

All of the health hazard symbols mean you need to keep containers tightly closed until you've read more information and taken the recommended precautions.

In 2012, OSHA revised its Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to be compatible with the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).

These systems exist to ensure that people recognize any hazardous chemicals in their workplace, understand the dangers they face, and know the precautions they need to take.

Containers with this hazard symbol may explode if heated. It's best not to even touch these containers until you know more because some require special handling precautions.

Hazard symbols and meanings

There are five GHS symbols used to warn about physical hazards, which are characteristics that can put both property and human safety at risk.

Since there are only 9 GHS pictograms for 29 classes, not every hazard class has its own symbol. Instead, the GHS pictograms represent multiple hazard classes with a similar type and level of risk.

GHS pictograms are designed to draw your attention to a certain type of risk. They provide important, instantly recognizable information, but you may notice that some very different hazards get grouped together below.

The skull-and-crossbones GHS pictogram, widely known as the toxic symbol, represents chemicals with the highest levels of acute toxicity. That means these chemicals have an immediate and severe (even lethal) effect on human health.

Like the flammable symbol, this pictogram also means you should leave the container tightly sealed until you know more. Don't change storage conditions or put other materials near these containers until you know what's safe.

When you see this symbol, disposal of the substance may require a specific method. You also need to take precautions against release into the environment during use or transportation.

The oxidizing GHS pictogram is used for oxidizing solids, liquids, and gases. These chemical classes, when exposed to oxygen, help ignite substances that wouldn't otherwise combust and/or make fires burn hotter and longer.

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That's because hazard symbols never stand alone. They're just one part of a standardized GHS label that provides more details about how to safely handle each substance.

Corrosive symbol

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hazard symbols意思

GHS pictograms are just one aspect of OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard. Hazardous symbols and their meanings can't keep you safe by themselves. You need complete GHS labels, Safety Data Sheets, HazCom training, and more.

The GHS pictogram with an exclamation mark is used on substances that are harmful or irritating. The health effects are acute (set in quickly), but they're less severe than something marked with the toxic symbol.

Warningsign

There are thousands of hazardous chemicals used and transported for commercial purposes. The GHS standard streamlines all this information by grouping chemicals into classes. There are 29 GHS hazard classes that describe the hazard type and sometimes a chemical's current state (liquid, solid, or gas).

Electrical hazards are different from other types of hazard found in construction work in that the human senses provide no advance warning. The major risks associated with exposure to an electric current are:

This is contained in The HSE publication HS(G) 141 "Electrical Safety on Construction Sites" and is obtainable from HSE Books. Following the guidance given is not compulsory. However if you do follow the guidance the HSE believes you will normally be complying with the law. Health and safety inspectors may refer to the publication as illustrating good practice.

The explosive pictogram means you need more information before you come anywhere near that container. Different chemicals can be set off under different conditions, including friction or mechanical shock – even bumping these containers with another object may be dangerous.

Depending on the chemical, exposure may occur by inhaling, ingesting, or making skin contact with the substance. You'll find the particular exposure route(s) elsewhere on the label.

Hazard classes are broken down into three main types: physical hazards (17 classes), health hazards (10 classes), and environmental hazards (2 classes).

OSHA requires HazCom training for workers who will be exposed to hazardous chemicals under normal working conditions. They need to learn what the pictograms mean, where to find important label information, what you can learn from a Safety Data Sheet, and the properties of chemicals in the hazard classes they're likely to encounter.

Other parts of standardized GHS container labels provide information that's immediately useful to someone handling a chemical. That includes signal words, hazard statements (like Fatal if Swallowed), and recommended safety measures for prevention, response, storage, and disposal. Safety Data Sheets are even more detailed, with sections that provide instructions during an emergency.

One convenient way to fulfill the general information parts of your mandatory HazCom/GHS training is to take an online course with a reputable, OSHA-authorized provider like us. Our GHS/HazCom course covers the concepts you need to learn in a self-paced format. Enroll today!