The development of new chemicals through our research efforts, the re-evaluation
of present inventories of chemicals, and the increasing diversity of uses for chemicals
and chemical processes, have made increasingly apparent the need for specialized
information on how to safely use, store and handle these materials. This need was first
addressed by the American National Standard Institute in 1976 with the first edition of
ANSI Z129.1 regarding precautionary labeling of hazardous chemicals. Precautionary
statements are meant to be as brief and clear as possible, allowing the scientist to
identify the primary hazards of a material with a cursory glance at the chemical
container. Passage of the Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR Sec. 1910.1200) made it
mandatory for chemical manufacturers to include hazard information on chemical labels and
to supply the purchaser with a material safety data sheet (MSDS).
OSHA requires that all hazardous chemicals be labeled with the known immediate and delayed hazards and that each label contain the following information:
American National Standard Institute (ANSI) has published a voluntary labeling standard (ANSI Z129.1-1988) followed by most chemical manufacturers. This standard calls for the additional following items:
Other labeling requirements :
A hazardous chemical must be labeled with indications of the hazards, both immediate and delayed. Specific guidelines have been established to allow for consistency of identifying hazards. Signal Words indicate the most immediate threat through the use of only one of 3 words. The Hazard Statement then briefly indicates specifically all the hazards involved, immediate and delayed. Precautionary Measures briefly provides steps to take to avoid injury. The First Aid statements give recommendations on how to address accidental exposures to the hazard. In Case of Fire statements provide instructions on emergencies related to fire.
FLAMMABILITY Rating Key Word Flash Point Boiling Point
4 EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE <73oF <100oF
3 FLAMMABLE <73oF >100oF
or >73oF <100oF
2 COMBUSTIBLE 100oF - 200oF
1 SLIGHTLY COMBUSTIBLE >200oF
0 NON-COMBUSTIBLE will not burn
TOXICITY
Rating Keyword LD50(1) LC50(2)
4 EXTREMELY TOXIC 5 1000
3 HIGHLY TOXIC 50 3000
2 MODERATELY TOXIC 500 5000
1 SLIGHTLY TOXIC 2000 10000
0 NO SIGNIFICANT HAZARD >2000 >10000
(1) single oral dose - (mg/Kg)
(2) inhalation vapor exposure hazard - (ppm)
The effectiveness of precautionary symbols in relaying the appropriate information
about a hazard is dependent upon their recognition and association with the specific
hazard. The following symbols have been found to have the highest recognition level among
a given audience, and it is recommended that they be used to relay hazard information.
Recognition was highest when the audience had been previously exposed to these symbols
during training exercises. Many chemical manufacturers include these symbols as part of
the hazard information on the chemical label.
In addition to the symbols and precautionary statements that are used, many chemical manufacturers also use a color and/or number coded system to alert the lab personnel of specific hazards. Usually one of two systems is used - the NFPA system or the HMIS system. Lab personnel should obtain training in the use of both systems, and be able to recognize at a glance the inherent hazards of the material in use.
1. The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) system utilizes a diamond diagram,
divided into four color coded sections:
blue health hazard red fire hazard yellow reactivity hazard white other hazard information
Within each section, a number ranks the degree of hazard:
4 extreme hazard 3 serious hazard 2 moderate hazard 1 slight hazard 0 no or minimal hazard
The white section alerts the user to special hazards the material may possess, such as:
water reactivity strong oxidizer corrosivity radioactivity.
2. The HMIS (Hazardous Material Identification System) is very similar to the NFPA. The color and number coding are identical. But instead of the diamond, the HMIS uses a color bar system.
This system was developed by the paint
manufacturers to address situations more common to their environment than the situations
encountered by firefighters. With this system, the white section is used to indicate what
level of protective equipment is required. Instead of a hazard ranking, a level of
protection is indicated by a letter, with each letter specifying a different level of
protection. Examples are:
A safety glasses B safety glasses and gloves C safety glasses, gloves and an apron D face shield, gloves and an apron E safety glasses, gloves and a dust respirator F etc. [see HMIS for full listing of protection options] Another feature that differs from the NFPA label system is that HMIS allows an * to designate a material as a carcinogen. This designation would appear next to the ranking in the blue health bar.
Chemical manufacturers are required to label all chemical containers
with appropriate hazard information.
You have the right to work from labeled containers.
This is meaningless if you do not take the responsibility of learning how
to use the information chemical manufacturers provide.
Created and maintained by Nancy Magnussen
last revised 2 Aug 1997
nancy@isc.tamu.edu
Copyright © 1996 by College of Science, Texas A&M University