labelling of hazardous chemicals select language (ghs) · labelling of hazardous chemicals (ghs)...

20/09/2016 OnGuard Safety Training

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Labelling of Hazardous Chemicals(GHS)in Australian Workplaces

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Risks & Hazards | Hazard Control | PPE | General Safety | Operating Safety | Maintenance | Safe Work Zones | Operating Procedures

The information contained in this SOP is general in nature.

Any YouTube videos included are as a compliment to the information presented.

Introduction

For workplace hazardous chemicals, labels includeinformation on the hazards, plus instructions andinformation on the safe storage, handling, use anddisposal of the chemical.The label and Safety Data Sheets(SDS) are important sources of information that may beused to inform hazard and risk assessments in theworkplace, and establish appropriate work practices andprocesses to control the risks during use.

Hazardous chemical means any substance, mixture orarticle that satisfies the criteria for a hazard class in theGlobally Harmonised System of Classification andLabelling of Chemicals (GHS) including a classificationreferred to in Schedule 6 of the WHS Regulations. Label means the written, printed or graphical informationelements concerning a hazardous chemical that is affixedto, printed on or attached to the container of a hazardouschemical.

Codes of Practice for LabellingSafe Work Australia’s Code of Practice for Labelling of Workplace

Hazardous Chemicals provides detailed guidance on how to labelworkplace chemicals. This code of practice should be usedwhere the chemical has been classified according to theGHS. Manufacturers and importers of chemicals are ableto continue to use the existing NOHSC labelling system forworkplace hazardous substances and dangerous goods

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up until 31 December 2016. This applies for chemicalswhich have been classified according to the ApprovedCriteria for Classifying Hazardous Substances and theADG Code.

Chemical Labelling in WorkplacesThe WHS Regulations apply specific duties to variouspersons in relation to the correct labelling of workplacehazardous chemicals. Importers and manufacturers, arerequired to provide labels on containers and Safety DataSheets (SDS) for the hazardous chemicals they supply.PCBUs must ensure that container labels are appropriateand make sure SDS are accessible to staff and otherworkers who may be exposed to these hazardouschemicals. All hazardous chemicals must be listed in acentral register together with copies of the relevant SDS.All staff and other workers must have access to thisregister.

What is on the label?A hazardous chemical is correctly labelled if the chemicalis packed in a container that includes the following: is written in English the product identifier the name, Australian address and business telephonenumber of either the manufacturer or importer the identity and proportion disclosed, in accordance withSchedule 8 of the WHS Regulations, for each chemical ingredient any hazard pictogram(s) consistent with the correctclassification(s) of the chemical any hazard statement(s), signal word and precautionarystatement(s) that is consistent with the correct classification(s) of thechemical any information about the hazards, first aid andemergency procedures relevant to the chemical, which are not otherwise



included in the hazard statement or precautionary statement, and the expiry date of the chemical, if applicable.

Information can be added on the label that does notcontradict or cast doubt on any other information that isrequired on the label. The following additional informationshould also be included on the label, where available: an emergency phone number, for specific poisons ortreatment advice the overseas name, address and telephone number ofthe manufacturer or supplier a valid website or internet address reference to the safety data sheet, for example astatement on the label that says: “Additional information is listed in the safetydata sheet”. The supplier is responsible for the correct labelling ofa hazardous chemical. Product identifier, including details of ingredientsInformation on the identity of a product includes a productidentifier and the disclosure of certain ingredients. Theproduct identifier and details of ingredients should begrouped together and located at the most prominentposition on the label, for example at the top or centre ofthe label, or on a front panel. A product identifier is aunique name or number by which the chemical is to beknown, and which allows the product users to identify thehazardous chemical. The product identifier must be thesame as that listed in the safety data sheet, and may beidentical to the trade name. A label must identify thoseingredients, including their proportions, which contribute tothe overall hazard class and hazard category of thehazardous chemical in accordance with Schedule 8 of theWHS Regulations. Disclosure of ingredient names is notrequired for ingredients that meet only physicochemicaland/or environmental hazard classifications.



Decanted chemicalsFor the purposes of this Code, decant means to transfer ahazardous chemical from a correctly labelled container toanother container within a workplace. Such a containermay range from a small flask in a research laboratory to alarge vessel that is used to contain reaction componentsprior to use in a mixing or reaction process. Where theentire amount of a decanted hazardous chemical will beused immediately, labelling of its container is not required. If a hazardous chemical has been decanted or transferredfrom the container in which it was packed and it will not beused immediately or it is supplied to someone else, thelabel must, at a minimum, be written in English and includethe following:• the product identifier, and• a hazard pictogram or hazard statement consistent withthe correct classification of the chemical Containers found without correct labellingIf you find that a container of a hazardous chemical is notcorrectly labelled in accordance with the WHSRegulations, you should attach the product identifier to thecontainer. You should not use a hazardous chemical that isnot correctly labelled. Store it in isolation until it isappropriately labelled. If the product identifier of anunlabelled chemical is not known, this should be clearlymarked on the container, for example by attaching a labelto the container with the statement: Caution – Do Not Use– Unknown Substance. You should take steps to eitheridentify and correctly label the unknown chemical ordispose of the contents.



SIGNAL WORDS used on LabelsSignal Signal words are used to indicate the relative levelof severity of a hazard. The GHS uses ‘Danger’ and‘Warning’ as signal words. ‘Danger’ is used for a more severe or significant hazard,while ‘Warning’ is used for the less severe hazards. Onlyone signal word should be present on any one label. If thesignal word ‘Danger’ applies, then the signal word‘Warning’ should not appear on the label. Signal wordsshould be represented in bold and uppercase text. General Precautionary StatementsGeneral precautionary statements are not aligned with anyparticular hazard category, and according to the GHSprinciples, these statements are required for consumerproducts only. Manufacturers of hazardous chemicals maychoose to include these on workplace labels, particularlywhere it is foreseeable that the chemical may be used in anonworkplace situation.General Precautionary StatementsP101 If medical advice is needed, have product containeror label at handP102 Keep out of reach of childrenP103 Read label before use

Hazard statementsHazard statements describe the nature of a hazard,including the degree of hazard, where appropriate. Aunique hazard statement is assigned to each hazard classand category. All relevant hazard statements must appearon the label. Where a hazard classification results inhazard statements with duplicate information, theinformation should only appear once. A unique hazardstatement code is assigned to each hazard statement. Thehazard statement code is intended to be used forreference purposes only. It is not part of the hazardstatement and should not be used to replace it or be



included on the label. Hazard statements should berepresented in bold and sentence case text. Precautionary statementsPrecautionary statements describe the recommendedmeasures that should be taken to minimise or preventadverse effects resulting from exposure to, or improperstorage or handling of, a hazardous chemical.Precautionary statements are assigned to each hazardclass and category. Precautionary statements areseparated into five categories:• Prevention statements refer to precautions to be taken toprevent an accident or exposure.• Response statements refer to instructions in case of anaccident.• Storage statements refer to instructions for safe storageof the chemical.• Disposal statements refer to appropriate disposalinstructions.• General statements for use as appropriate. The precautionary statements that correspond to each hazardclass and category are provided here. (PDF) Not allprecautionary statements relating to a particular hazardclassification need to be used on the label. As a guide, amaximum of between six and ten precautionarystatements should appear on the label, depending on thenature and severity of the hazards. Hazard pictogramsThe GHS specifies nine hazard pictograms, having regardto physical, health and environmental hazards. Hazardpictograms must be included on the label in most cases. Insome circumstances however, pictograms may be omittedfrom the label in line with the rules of precedence. In allother cases, where pictograms are required, all therelevant hazard pictograms must be included on the label.Hazard pictograms should be in the shape of a square setat an angle of 45º (ie diamondshaped) on its point. Thehazard pictograms should have a black symbol on a whitebackground with a red border or frame of sufficient width to

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be clearly visible. Pictograms with a black border may alsobe used. Class labels recommended for the transport ofdangerous goods as specified in the ADG Code may beused instead of the relevant hazard pictograms specifiedin the GHS. Both are never to be used on the same label.A comparison of the hazard pictograms as specified in theGHS and the ADG Code class labels are shown below.



Expiry dateThe expiry date for a chemical must be provided, where,for example degradation or decomposition of the chemicalmay occur over time, with the result that the hazardclassification of the chemical changes, or where thechemical is no longer within acceptable specifications forpotency and stability. For example ethers may formexplosive peroxides over time. An expiry date may beprovided in a less prominent position of the label, forexample the back portion of the label. Safety Data Sheets A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a document prepared by themanufacturer of the product or the supplier. SDS shouldclearly state if a product is a hazardous chemical. TheSDS provides PCBUs, selfemployed persons, workers


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and other health and safety representatives with thenecessary information to safely manage the risk fromhazardous chemical exposure. It is important thateveryone in the workplace knows how to read andinterpret a SDS. A SDS is a document containingimportant information about a hazardous chemical andmust state:

a hazardous chemical’s product namethe chemical and generic name of certain ingredientsthe chemical and physical properties of the hazardoussubstancehealth hazard informationprecautions for safe use and handlingthe manufacturer’s or importer’s name, Australianaddress and telephone number

Code of Practice for Preparation of SDSSafe Work Australia’s Code of Practice for the Preparation ofSafety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals provides detailedguidance on how to prepare a SDS for workplacechemicals. This code of practice should be used where thechemical has been classified according to the GHS. Access to SDSThe register of SDS should be used as an information toolto make sure everyone is involved in managing hazardouschemical exposure at the workplace. It is very important toknow about the chemical products used at your workplace.Reading the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is the second stepin getting more detailed health and safety information onthe chemicals used and stored. A SDS should havearrived with the first supply of a hazardous chemical. If anSDS is not made available you should contact thesupplier.ccess to a SDS can be provided in several waysincluding:

paper copy collections of SDSmicrofiche copy collections of SDS with microfichereaders open to use by all workerscomputerised and internet SDS databases

http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA/about/Publications/Documents/642/COP_Preparation_of_Safety_Data_Sheet_for_Hazardous_Chemicals.pdf#view=fit



Organising SDSJust because a SDS has been provided this does notautomatically mean that the product is now safe to use. Itis important that a risk assessment of the substance iscarried out. All staff, other workers and volunteers must betrained in the correct use of hazardous substances. It isadvised to:

Keep copies of the SDS for each chemical used in theworkplace and place them in a central register.Make sure that the SDS supplied is complete and is notmore than five years old. Store the SDS in a place that is accessible to allworkers.Make sure everyone is familiar with the contents of theSDS for the substances used in their work area.

Safety Data Sheet FormatA recommended format and contents for Safety DataSheets has been prepared by SafeWork Australia. Theformat of the SDS that you receive may be slightlydifferent, but you should expect to find the followinginformation:

Identification of the material and supplierHazards identificationComposition and information on ingredientsFirst aid measuresFire fighting measuresAccidental release measuresHandling and storageExposure controls and personal protectionPhysical and chemical propertiesStability and reactivity



Toxicology informationEcological informationDisposal considerationsTransport informationRegulatory informationOther relevant information

The questions in the SOP knowledge test are general in nature.

© Copyright 2016 OnGuard Safety Training Pty Ltd AustraliaLatest Revision Date: 16/ 02/ 2016

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