The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling Chemicals

(GHS): SDS & Chemical Hazard Labels

Physics 1st 6wks

Globally Harmonized System (GHS)

• Created by the United Nations (UN) in 2003

• What is it?: GHS stands for the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. GHS is a system that defines and classifies the hazards of chemical products, and communicates health and safety information on labels and material safety data sheets (called Safety Data Sheets, or SDSs, in GHS).

• The goal is that the same set of rules for classifying hazards, and the same format and content for labels and safety data sheets (SDS) will be adopted and used around the world.

• An international team of hazard communication experts developed GHS.

• It was adopted in the US in May 2012, and final implementation was required by June 2015

SDS (Safety Data Sheet)• Formerly known as MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)• Used in the workplace as a means of informing about hazards & safety precautions• Contains detailed safety information on a chemical or mixture. (Every company or

business who uses potentially hazardous chemical must have these files on hand.)• SDS have 16 sections:

Section 1. IdentificationSection 2. Hazard(s) identificationSection 3. Composition/information on ingredientsSection 4. First-Aid measuresSection 5. Fire-fighting measuresSection 6. Accidental release measuresSection 7. Handling and storageSection 8. Exposure controls/personal protection

Section 9. Physical & chemical propertiesSection 10. Stability & reactivitySection 11. Toxicological informationSection 12. Ecological informationSection 13. Disposal considerationsSection 14. Transport informationSection 15. Regulatory informationSection 16. Other information, e.g.  preparation date, last revision

Chemical Labels

• Chemical Labels (located on the chemical bottle) tell you basic general and safety information such as: Chemical name; recommended safety equipment; basic first aid; hazard information.

• LABELS will include a harmonized signal word, pictogram, and hazard statement for each hazard class and category.  

• Signal word: a single word on the label to indicate the relative level of severity of hazard and alert the reader to a potential hazard on the label. The signal words used are "danger" and "warning."

• "Danger " is used for the more severe hazards, while "warning" is used for less severe hazards. Low level hazards will not include either word.

Chemical Labels

• Pictograms: There are nine pictograms under the GHS to convey the health, physical and environmental hazards.

Additional Chemical Hazard Labelling: The NFPA Diamond

• Not required as part of the GHS label or SDS but is still routinely used in American workplaces

• Created by the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)• The diamond-shaped sign indicates flammability of a substance and also

communicates essential information about how emergency response teams should deal with a material if there is a spill, fire or other accident.

• Colors:Blue: Health HazardsRed: Fire HazardsYellow: Reactivity/Instability (Explosion) HazardsWhite: Special Hazards• Numbers range from 0 which is least serious to 4 which is the most serious.

Sample Chemical Hazard Label