– Blogue –

How to read a chemical label

Working in a mining and manufacturing sector or construction, it is common to Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG). These substances, usually chemicals, come with a GHS label. How to decipher the information on the label? This article will help you understand the meaning of the 6 elements on a chemical label.

To train your workers so that they master the reading and use of these products, Global Formation through its PAELO app, offers comprehensive Occupational Health and Safety training. This will help you establish a safe workplace and prevent workplace accidents as much as possible.

GHS Labeling: What is it

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals is used in Canada as well as in other countries to inform the level of risk presented by chemical substances. For this reason, it is also used in harmony with the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). They may similarly be present on Safety Data Sheets (SDS).

Their presence on those products is mandatory in order to prevent users from being exposed to sometimes deadly hazards. Generally, those labels show 6 elements including: the name of the substance, the supplier, the hazard statements, the warning note, the different types of pictograms and the precautionary advice.

The statement that indicates the name of the substance

On that part, you can find the name of the chemical. This can be its brand name as well as its code number or even its batch number. Generally, this is found at the very top left of the GHS label. It allows the worker to easily and quickly detect the type of product, as well as the action to be taken.

The supplier

Sometimes located at the top center, this element is used to identify the manufacturer, supplier, or importer of the product. Some information will therefore appear here including their name, phone number and address. Showing this contact information on the GHS label allows you to find the right person to contact in the event of a hazard, or if you need additional information.

Hazard Statements

This is a sentence that informs you about the nature, symptoms, as well as the level of hazard risk if a person comes into direct contact with the chemicals. These statements serve as additional information to the pictograms. However, it should be noted that these statements must respect a certain classification category.

This information is presented as follows: “H + number”. Then, they are classified into 3 classes including:

  • physical hazards easily recognizable since they are followed by H2XX
  • health hazards followed by H3XX
  • environmental hazards followed by H4XX

Then, each class can be further divided into several categories. For those that present health hazards, you can find carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxicants, and even highly toxic products.

For example, in the category of carcinogenic products, you can find the number H351. This means that direct contact with the product is likely to cause cancer.

The warning statement

A label naturally has warning statements. The writing may state “Danger” or “Caution” depending on the level of dangerousness presented by the chemicals. The “Danger” statement means that the risk is high. As for the indication “Caution”, the user can understand that it is a product exposing to a less serious danger.

For example, in the case of two flammable products, the level of risk may still be different. If the note says “Caution”, it means that the substance is highly flammable. On the other hand if it is mentioned “Danger”, it means that the product is extremely flammable.

The different types of pictograms

A GHS pictogram is a black hazard symbol on a white background located in a red square. There are nine including the following:

  • Explosive: GHS01
  • Flammable: GHS02
  • Oxidizer: SGH03
  • Gas Under Pressure: SGH04
  • Corrosive: SGH05
  • Acute toxicity: SGH06
  • Ozone layer hazard, harmful: SGH07
  • Health hazard: SGH08
  • Environmental hazard: SGH09

These 9 pictograms can be categorized into 3 classes including:

  • Physical hazard pictograms: SGH01 to SGH04
  • Environmental hazard pictograms: SGH05 to SGH08
  • Health hazard pictograms: GHS09

Precautionary statements

This part can be in the form of a short paragraph of a few lines informing about measures to be taken in order to minimize and avoid risks caused by chemical substances. It also provides advice in case of emergency. Some precautionary statements are consistent with the pictogram displayed on the label.

On a GHS label, there are 4 types of precautionary statements:

  • a prevention advice to indicate the measures to be taken to minimize risks
  • an intervention advice to inform on the operations to be carried out in case of exposure
  • a storage advice to ensure that storage does not lead to any health and safety risk
  • a disposal tip that provides information on how to dispose of chemicals

Since this information is not exhaustive, it is essential to have training when a worker decides to enter an industry that requires the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) or their handling. Global Formation puts its platform and its services at your disposal in order to offer you an effective training tailored to your needs and goals.