Legal Requirements

The Hazard Communication Standard (29CFR 1910.1200) requires all manufacturers or distributors of any products containing
chemicals to evaluate the chemical hazards of the product. The evaluation is performed by classifying each chemical based on
published toxicological or other data to determine its physical and health hazards.

The identified hazards have to be communicated on the container label and in documents called Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
Manufacturers and distributors are required to provide safety data sheets to their clients that describe the results of the classification
and all known hazards of a chemical.

Globally Harmonized System (GHS)

The Globally Harmonized System (GHS) was developed by the United Nations for international standardization of hazard
classification and communication. OSHA has adopted GHS, and beginning June 2015, all manufacturers are required to prepare labels
and SDS according to GHS. Some manufacturers already comply with this regulation.

GHS Label Elements

The main health and physical hazards have to be indicated on the product label by using pictograms, signal words, and standardized
hazard statements. The pictograms are explained in the next paragraph. The signal word "Danger" is used for severe hazards and
"Warning" is used for less severe hazards. Based on the classification of the product, the hazards are described in standardized phrases
called "hazard statements". For example, a highly toxic chemical requires a statement "Fatal if inhaled or swallowed".

GHS Hazard Classes

The GHS classification further divides health and physical hazards into separate classes such as toxicity, irritation, sensitization,
flammability, etc. The severity of the hazard within each class is described by the category. Some classes have five categories; other
classes have only one category. Category 1 or A always represents the highest hazard within that class. The higher the category
number, the lower the hazard. The classes, their categories and pictograms are as follows:

Health Hazards
 Pictogram Hazard Class Category Description
Corrosion Skin corrosion Category 1A, 1B, 1C Irreversible skin damage
Irreversible eye damage

Serious eye damage Category 1

Skull and Acute toxicity, oral Category 1, 2, 3

Crossbones Acute toxicity, dermal Category 1, 2, 3

Highly toxic in small amounts, serious health

effects or death
Acute toxicity, inhalation Category 1, 2, 3

Aspiration Hazard Category 1, 2 May be fatal if aspirated

Sensitization, respiratory Category 1, 1A, 1B Induces hypersensitivity of the airways
Health Hazard Germ cell mutagenicity Category 1A, 1B, 2 May cause genetic defects
Carcinogenicity Category 1A, 1B, 2 May cause cancer
May damage fertility; may damage the unborn
Reproductive Toxicity Category 1A, 1B, 2
child
Specific target organ toxicity, single
Category 1, 2 Causes damage to organs
exposure
Specific target organ toxicity, Causes damage to organs through prolonged or
Category 1, 2
repeated exposure repeated exposure
Exclamation Eye irritation Category 2A Causes serious eye irritation
Mark Skin irritation Category 2 Causes skin irritation
Acute Toxicity, oral Category 4 Harmful if swallowed
Sensitization, skin Category 1 May cause an allergic skin reaction
Acute toxicity, dermal Category 4 Harmful in contact with skin
Specific target organ toxicity, single Category 3 May cause respiratory irritation
 exposure, Respiratory tract irritation
Specific target organ toxicity, single
Category 3 May cause drowsiness or dizziness
exposure, Narcotic effects
Hazardous to the ozone layer Category 1 Harms public health and the environment
Environment Hazardous to the aquatic
Category 1
environment, acute hazard
Environmental hazard
Hazardous to the aquatic
Category 1, 2
environment, long-term hazard

Physical Hazards

Pictogram Hazard Class Category Description

Flammable liquids Category 1, 2, 3 Flammable liquids and vapors
Flammable solids Category 1, 2 Readily combustible solids
Aerosols Category 1, 2 Pressurized container; may burst if heated
Fire, blast, or projection hazard if the desensitizing
Desensitized explosives Category 1, 2, 3, 4
agent is reduced
Flammable gases Category 1, Pyrophoric gas Flammable compressed gas
Flame
Flammable aerosols Category 1, 2 Flammable pressurized container
Self-reactive substances and Thermally unstable liquid or solid that can undergo
Type A, B, C, D, E, F, G
mixtures; and Organic peroxides strongly exothermic reactions even without oxygen
Pyrophoric liquids; Pyrophoric solids Category 1 Substance that can spontaneously ignite in air
Materials other than pyrophoric materials that can
react with air and without energy added. These will
Self-heating substances and mixtures Category 1, 2
only ignite in large quantities or after long periods
of time.
Substances and Mixtures which, in
Substances that emit flammable gases when in
contact with water, emit flammable Category 1, 2, 3
contact with water
gases
 Explosive Unstable Explosive, Div
Explosives
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5
Explosive compounds and projection hazards
Self-reactive substances and
Type A, B
mixtures; and Organic peroxides

Corrosion

Corrosive to Metals Category 1 May be corrosive to metals

Flame Over Oxidizing liquids; Oxidizing solids Category 1, 2, 3

Circle
Oxidizers. Are not combustible themselves, but
Oxidizing gases Category 1 may cause or intensify fires in other materials

Gas Cylinder Compressed gas, Liquefied

Gases under pressure, may explode if heated
gas, Dissolved gas

Gases under pressure

Refrigerated liquefied gas May cause cryogenic burns or injury

Summary Pictograms
The image below shows the pictograms used for labeling. Underneath each pictogram is a list with classes the pictogram is used for.
Safety Data Sheets
Safety Data Sheets (SDS), formerly called Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), communicate the hazards associated with using
chemicals. They are an important source of information for workers, lab personnel, emergency responders, and emergency medical
personnel. As they often provide very limited information on safe handling procedures, they should be used in conjunction with safety
guides provided by DRS and other knowledgeable sources (Prudent Practices, eEROS, textbooks, etc.) and standard operating
procedures written for your group.

Managing SDS in a Laboratory

SDS can be available as electronic version or as hardcopies. A computer with internet connection is particularly useful to quickly
access the latest SDS. Webpages like Sigma-Aldrich or Fisher Scientific are convenient and reliable sources for finding SDS. If no
internet access is available, SDS of the most hazardous, largest volume, and most frequently used materials should either be stored on
a computer accessible to everybody working in the lab, or as hardcopies in a binder.

Besides electronic access it is highly recommended to have hardcopies of highly toxic and corrosive chemicals available in the
laboratory so they can be taken to the hospital if an exposure occurs.

Content of a Safety Data Sheet

In compliance with the new Hazard Communication Standard, SDS are divided into 16 sections and are required to provide the
following information:

1. Identification: Product identifier used on the label; manufacturer or distributor name, address, phone number, emergency
phone number; recommended use; and restrictions on use.
2. Hazard Identification: This section lists the GHS classification and hazard statements. Every hazard statement has a
corresponding precautionary statement recommending measures to minimize or prevent adverse effects such as “Do not
breathe dust.” This section may also show the label pictograms and give any other information related to known hazards of the
product. Classifications by other entities such as OSHA, HMIS, or NFPA may also be given.
3. Composition/Information on Ingredients provides a list of all hazardous ingredients, their CAS numbers, and their
concentrations or concentration ranges in the product. For each ingredient, the hazard classification is given. Depending on the
 concentration, the classification for each individual compound may be different than the classification of the mixture found
under section 2.
4. First-Aid Measures describes potential symptoms and acute or delayed effects resulting from exposure. It gives information
on how to respond to exposure and on appropriate medical treatment.
5. Fire-Fighting Measures lists suitable extinguishing techniques and equipment as well as potential hazards arising from a fire,
such as toxic fumes.
6. Accidental Release Measures lists emergency procedures for responding to a spill, required protective equipment, and basic
methods of containment and cleanup.
7. Handling and Storage lists brief precautions for safe handling and storage. It should contain information about
incompatibilities with other chemicals, but it is often not exhaustive. Refer to the DRS chemical storage guide for more
detailed information.
8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection lists OSHA's Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) and Threshold Limit Values
(TLVs) for each ingredient. This section should also give information on personal protective equipment (PPE); e.g.,
appropriate respirators and gloves, and engineering controls.
9. Physical and Chemical Properties lists the characteristics of the product such as color, boiling point, pH, and density etc.
10. Stability and Reactivity lists chemical stability, possibility of hazardous reactions, conditions to avoid, incompatible
materials, and hazardous decomposition products.
11. Toxicological Information describes possible routes of exposure; symptoms related to physical, chemical and toxicological
characteristics; acute and chronic effects; and numerical measures of toxicity such as LD50 values if available.
12. Ecological information includes available information on ecotoxicity, degradability, bioaccumulation, and other adverse
effects on the environment.
13. Disposal considerations is relevant for professional waste disposal services. Refer to the DRS chemical waste guide for
disposal practices.
14. Transport information lists DOT UN number, proper shipping name, and class.
15. Regulatory information includes other applicable local regulations on safety, health, and environment.
16. Other information includes the date of preparation of the SDS or its last revision.