Global Harmonized System (GHS) - 9 Hazard Pictograms

Assignment 101 Task A10 Identify COSHH Signs

Global Harmonized System

The Global Harmonized System (GHS) recognizes 9 Hazard Pictograms to identify the various hazards that can be present with chemicals.
Pictograms images are used rather than words, which would cause difficulty due to language barriers.
All 9 pictograms are on white background with a black symbol and finished off with a red border.

Chemicals can have a variety of different effects you may see more than two GHS Pictograms on the container to warn people about the dangers

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Before using any Hazardous Materials make sure that you read the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and you have the correct Personal Protection Equipment (P.P.E.).

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) have six sections

1 Identification
2 Hazard(s) Identification
3 Composition / Info on Ingredients
4 First-aid Measures
5 Fire-fighting Measures
6 Accidental Release Measures

Explosive

Explosive symbol may become explosive if not handled in proper conditions.

You need to be Competent (Trained) to handle these dangerous materials

Explosive-Class features below:

• Explosive
• Self-reactive (severe)
• Organic peroxide (severe)

Flammable

Flammable label can easily ignite and burn rapidly.

A fire requires a fuel source, oxygen and heat in order to burn.

When handling products with this label, it’s important to make sure that the three elements are not present together to minimize the risk of ignition.

Flammable-Class features below:

• Self-reactive
• Pyrophoric
• Self-heating
• Emits flammable gases when in contact with water
• Organic peroxide

Exclamation Mark

This symbol indicates that hazardous products with this pictogram can cause certain health effects for example

Health-Class features below:

• Irritation (skin or eyes)
• Skin sensitization
• Acute toxicity (harmful)
• Hazardous to the ozone layer

Oxidizer

The “o” is for Oxygen and the flames indicate Flammable materials in this pictogram, you need to store them correctly by following Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Remembering the Fire Triangle, Oxidizers are chemical compounds that release oxygen when they react with another substance and supports the Flammable material in this class.

Oxidizing substances can create a more intense fire

So using a CO² fire extinguisher is not going to have any effect you need to use the water fire extinguisher to take away the heat

For example, Ammonium compounds are often used in fertilisers which help plants to grow.

Hazardous to the environment

Chemicals that may present an immediate or delayed danger to one or more components of the environment.

For example, white spirit is Toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects

Acute Toxicity

Acute Toxicity label is fatal, toxic or harmful if inhaled, swallowed or put into contact with skin

A substance which if it is inhaled, ingested or allowed to penetrate the skin, may involve serious or chronic health risks and even death.

Compressed Gas

Products with this label contain gases that are stored under pressure in cylinders.

There are three major groups of compressed gases stored in cylinders:

• Liquefied Gases
• Non-Liquefied Gases
• Dissolved Gases

Compressed gas containers, if punctured, can become unpredictable and dangerous – often rocketing around the room.

Health Hazard

May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure

• Aspiration

• Toxicity

• Carcinogen

• Mutagenicity

• Reproductive

Corrosive

Corrosive materials pose a serious immediate risk to skin, tissues, eyes and other parts of the body or even destroy metal.

Any body part coming in contact with a corrosive material must be flushed with water IMMEDIATELY and then medical attention or opinion should be sought.

Damage can be devastating and permanent, so extra caution is to be taken when handling these substances.