10 Feb GHS – Classification and Labeling of Chemicals

GHS – Classification and Labeling of Chemicals

OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), 29 CFR 1910.1200, requires employers to ensure employees receive understandable information about hazardous chemicals in the workplace. The standard incorporates the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) to provide a consistent approach to chemical hazard classification, labels, and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs). OSHA significantly updated the HCS again in 2024, primarily to align it with GHS Revision 7.

Hazard Classification

Chemical manufacturers and importers are responsible for evaluating chemicals and classifying their physical and health hazards according to OSHA’s established criteria. Hazard classification determines the information that must appear on the chemical’s label and SDS.

Employees should understand that the type and severity of a chemical’s hazards determine its required hazard communication information.

GHS Label Elements

Labels on shipped containers of hazardous chemicals generally include:

• Product Identifier – Identifies the chemical or product and corresponds with the identifier used on the SDS.
• Signal Word – Either DANGER or WARNING, depending on the severity of the hazard. “Danger” is used for more severe hazards.
• Hazard Statement(s) – Standardized statements describing the nature and, where appropriate, degree of the hazard.
• Pictogram(s) – Symbols inside a red-bordered diamond that visually identify particular types of hazards.
• Precautionary Statement(s) – Recommended measures for preventing or minimizing adverse effects from exposure, improper handling, or storage.
• Supplier Identification – Identifies the chemical manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party.

Employees must not remove or deface required labels on incoming containers.

GHS Pictograms

Employees should be able to recognize the OSHA/GHS pictograms and understand the hazards they represent:

• Flame – Flammables, self-reactives, pyrophorics, self-heating chemicals and certain other fire hazards.
• Flame Over Circle – Oxidizers.
• Exploding Bomb – Explosives, certain self-reactives and organic peroxides.
• Gas Cylinder – Gases under pressure.
• Corrosion – Skin corrosion/burns, serious eye damage, and corrosive to metals.
• Skull and Crossbones – Severe acute toxicity.
• Exclamation Mark – Irritant, skin sensitizer, acute toxicity and certain other health effects.
• Health Hazard – Carcinogenicity, respiratory sensitization, reproductive toxicity, specific target organ toxicity, germ cell mutagenicity, and aspiration hazards.
• Environment – Aquatic toxicity. This pictogram may appear on labels, although environmental hazards are not within OSHA’s regulatory jurisdiction.

Safety Data Sheets

Safety Data Sheets provide detailed information about hazardous chemicals. Employers must maintain SDSs for hazardous chemicals in the workplace and ensure employees can readily access them during their work shifts. OSHA requires SDS information to follow a standardized 16-section format.

The sections are:

1. Identification
2. Hazard(s) Identification
3. Composition/Information on Ingredients
4. First-Aid Measures
5. Fire-Fighting Measures
6. Accidental Release Measures
7. Handling and Storage
8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
10. Stability and Reactivity
11. Toxicological Information
12. Ecological Information
13. Disposal Considerations
14. Transport Information
15. Regulatory Information
16. Other Information

Employees should know where SDSs are located and how to access them during their work shift, including during an emergency.

Employee Information and Training

Employees exposed to hazardous chemicals must receive information and training at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new chemical hazard for which they have not previously been trained is introduced into their work area.

Training should ensure employees understand:

• The requirements of the company’s Hazard Communication Program.
• Operations where hazardous chemicals are present.
• The location and availability of the written HazCom Program and SDSs.
• How to read and understand chemical labels and SDSs.
• GHS pictograms, signal words, hazard statements, and precautionary statements.
• How to detect the presence or release of hazardous chemicals.
• Physical and health hazards associated with chemicals in their work area.
• Measures employees can take to protect themselves, including safe work practices, emergency procedures, engineering controls, and PPE.
• Procedures for reporting spills, releases, damaged containers, missing labels, or other chemical hazards.

Information and training must be provided in a manner and vocabulary employees can understand.

Important – OSHA’s 2024 HCS Update

The original dates associated with OSHA’s 2012 GHS implementation are now obsolete for employee training purposes. OSHA issued another final rule on May 20, 2024, which became effective July 19, 2024. The revised HCS includes changes involving hazard classification, labeling, SDS information, concentration ranges, and other requirements.

As of August 2026, OSHA’s current transition schedule is:

During the applicable transition periods, OSHA permits compliance with the previous HCS, the updated HCS, or both.

Remember

Read the label before using a chemical and know where to find its SDS. Never use an unidentified chemical or a chemical from an improperly labeled container. If you do not understand a chemical’s hazards or the precautions required to use it safely, stop and ask your supervisor before proceeding.