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What is GHS?

Posted by in Safety Signs & Labels on July 16, 2014 . 0 Comments.

GHS was created by the United Nations to standardize chemical hazard classification and
communication worldwide. WHMIS has been modified to incorporate the GHS standardized
classification rules, label requirements and safety data sheet (SDS) format.

After implementing GHS, suppliers now must meet the following labelling requirements:

1. Product Identifier: The product name exactly as it appears on the container and on the Safety

Data Sheet (SDS).

2. Signal Words (NEW): “Danger” or “Warning” are used to emphasize hazards and indicate the

severity of the hazard.

3. Hazard Pictograms: Hazard pictograms, determined by the hazard classification of the product.

In some cases, no pictogram is required.

4. Hazard Statements:Brief standardized statements of all hazards based on the hazard

classification of the product.

5. Precautionary Statements:These statements describe recommended measures to minimize or

prevent adverse effects from exposure to the product, including protective equipment and

emergency measures. First aid is included in precautionary information.

6. Supplier Identifier: The company which made or packaged the product, and is responsible for

the label and SDS. Contact the supplier for additional product information.


After implementing GHS, customers now must meet the following labelling requirements:

1. Educate and train workers on the hazards and safe use of products.

2. Ensure that hazardous products are properly labelled.

3. Prepare workplace labels and SDSs as necessary.

4. Provide access for workers to up-to-date SDSs.

Physical Hazard Classes

1. Flammable Gases

2. Flammable Aerosols

3. Oxidizing Gases

4. Gases Under Pressure

5. Flammable Liquids

6. Flammable Solids

7. Self-Reactive Substances and Mixtures

8. Pyrophoric Liquids

9. Pyrophoric Solids

10. Self-Heating Substances and Mixtures

11. Substances and Mixtures Which, in Contact with Water, Emit Flammable Gases

12. Oxidizing Liquids

13. Oxidizing Solids

14. Organic Peroxides

15. Corrosive to Metals

16. Combustible Dusts

17. Simple Asphyxiants

18. Pyrophoric Gases

19. Physical Hazards Not Otherwise Classified


Health Hazard Classes

1. Acute Toxicity

2. Skin Corrosion/Irritation

3. Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation

4. Respiratory or Skin Sensitization

5. Germ Cell Mutagenicity

6. Carcinogenicity

7. Reproductive Toxicity

8. Specific Target Organ Toxicity - Single Exposure

9. Specific Target Organ Toxicity - Repeated Exposure

10. Aspiration Hazar

11. Biohazardous Infectious Materials

12. Health Hazards Not Otherwise Classified


Explosives and Environmental Hazard Classes exist in GHS but they are not proposed to be adopted in
Canada under WHMIS.

1. Explosives

2. Hazardous to the ozone layer

3. Hazardous to the aquatic environment

Hazards of each pictogram:

1. Gas Cylinder: Gases under pressure

2. Flame: Flammables (gases, aerosols, liquids, solids), Pyrophoric (liquids, solids, gases), Selfreactive

substances and mixtures, Self-heating substances and mixtures, Substances and

mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases, Organic peroxides.

3. Flame Over Circle: Oxidizing (liquids, solids, gases)

4. Exploding Bomb and Flame: Organic peroxides, Self-reactive substances and mixtures

5. Skull & Crossbones: Acute toxicity (fatal and toxic via oral, skin, inhalation)

6. Health Hazard: Carcinogenicity; Germ cell mutagenicity; Respiratory sensitization;

Reproductive toxicity; Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure, Specific target organ

toxicity - repeated exposure; Aspiration hazard

7. Exclamation Mark: Acute toxicity (harmful via oral, skin, inhalation); Skin irritation; Eye

irritation; Skin sensitization; Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure

8. Corrosion: Corrosive to metals; Skin corrosion; Serious eye damage

9. Exploding Bomb: Self-reactive substances and mixtures, Organic peroxides

10. Bio hazardous infectious materials

11. Exploding bomb: Explosives

12. Environment: Hazardous to the aquatic environment

13. Environment: Hazardous to the ozone layer

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