Understanding OSHA and GHS Labeling Requirements for Hazardous Chemicals

Navigating the world of workplace safety can sometimes feel overwhelming, but understanding OSHA and GHS labels is a crucial step in creating a safer work environment. Hazard labels are designed to provide clear communication about hazards associated with various chemicals and materials.

In this guide, we'll break down the essentials of OSHA and GHS labeling, giving you the confidence to handle hazardous chemicals safely. Let's discover how these labels work to keep you and your team safe!

OSHA Safety Labels

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, assures workplace safety through communication on chemical hazards in the United States. OSHA labels provide important information about chemicals, helping employees make safe decisions.

These labels include elements like a product identifier, signal words, hazard statements, precautionary measures, and supplier information. OSHA labels align with GHS standards, promoting consistency across workplaces and industries. By following these standards, you not only comply but also create a safer work environment.

What is a GHS Label?

A GHS label is a standardized chemical hazard label that follows the GHS, or the Globally Harmonized System, an international system that the United Nations created to label chemicals. It was adopted by OSHA in the U.S. on March 12, 2012. Every compliant label carries the same core parts: a product identifier, a signal word, hazard statements, precautionary statements, pictograms, and supplier information.

GHS labels are required for any business that manufactures, imports, distributes, or handles hazardous chemicals in the workplace. They provide clear information about potential dangers, ensuring the safety of workers and consumers. This process promotes global chemical safety.

What are the six required GHS Label requirements?

Under the OSHA and GHS, labels for hazardous chemicals should include the following:

1. Product Identifier: This can be the chemical name, code number, or batch number.
2. Signal Words: OSHA mandates the use of two signal words: “Danger” and “Warning.” These words indicate the severity of the hazard. “Danger” is reserved for the more severe hazards, while “Warning” is used for less severe risks.
3. Hazard Statements: These statements describe the nature of the chemical hazards. Each hazard classification must have a consistent hazard statement across different producers.
4. Precautionary Statements: These describe recommended measures to minimize or prevent effects from exposure to the hazardous chemical. OSHA defines four types of precautionary statements:
• Prevention: To minimize exposure.
• Response: In case of accidental spillage or exposure.
• Storage: Guidelines for proper storage of the chemical.
• Disposal: Recommendations for safe disposal of the chemical.
5. There's some flexibility in applying precautionary statements, such as combining statements or using an order of precedence.
6. Pictograms: Graphical symbols used to communicate hazard information. Pictograms must be enclosed in a red diamond frame and be clearly visible.
7. Supplementary Information: Additional information that may be helpful.

Make sure to use GHS and OSHA labels to create a safe workplace. These labels include the NFPA Diamond for easy identification. Using your Dymo printer, simply print your products information along with the key elements above to ensure proper labeling. These elements help communicate useful information about hazardous products.

What do the GHS pictograms mean?

GHS pictograms are the nine standardized hazard symbols that appear on chemical labels, each a blank black symbol on a white background inside a red diamond border. Eight are required under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, and the ninth, the environment pictogram, is part of GHS but not enforeced by OSHA. Each one tells a worker at a glance what kind of hazardous chemical is present, before they read the first part of the label. 

The pictograms map to hazard classes, so a single chemical can carry more than one. The grid below shows each symbol, its OSHA name, the hazards it covers, and what it means in plain terms.

Chronic Health Hazard

Carcinogen, respiratory, reproductive, and organ toxicity

Long-term or serious health effects, such as cancer, organ damage, or harm to fertility.

Flammable

Flammables, pyrophorics, self-heating emit flammable gas

Catches fire easily, whether a gas, aerosol, liquid, or solid.

Health Hazard 

Irritant, skin sensitizer, acute toxicity (harmful), narcotic effects

Less severe hazards like skin or eye irritation, or drowsiness.

Compressed Gas

Gases under pressure

Compressed, liquefied, or dissolved gas that can burst or leak under pressure.

Corrosion

Skin corrosion or burns, eye damage, corrosive to metals

Burns skin and eyes on contact and can eat through metal.

Exploding bomb

Explosives, self-reactives, organic peroxides

Can explode or react violently, sometimes on its own.

Flame over circle

Oxidizers

Feeds fire by releasing oxygen, making other materials burn harder.

Skull and crossbones

Acute toxicity (severe)

Toxic or fatal even in small amounts, by swallowing, skin contact, or inhaling.

Environment optional

Aquatic toxicity

Toxic to fish and aquatic life. Part of GHS but not required by OSHA.

GHS Primary vs Secondary Containers

GHS Primary Containers

Primary containers are the original packages for shipped chemicals. They include bags, barrels, bottles, cans, cylinders, and drums. These containers must be labeled following GHS mandates with all required elements. The labels on these containers cannot be removed, altered, or defaced to ensure consistent safety information.

GHS Secondary Containers

Secondary containers are usually smaller, like spray bottles or jars, and are often filled from a primary container. While secondary containers generally adhere to labeling requirements, there are exceptions. If a chemical is used immediately within a single work shift and remains in the worker’s possession, full labeling may not be necessary. However, it's still best to label secondary containers to ensure workplace safety and compliance with OSHA and GHS standards.

Creating custom labels for primary and secondary labels shouldn't be a hassle. With LabelValue, create labels that inform your employees and consumers about your container's contents. Follow OSHA and GHS guidelines when creating your labels. This will ensure your workplace follows regulations while keeping your employees safe!

Updates to OSHA Requirements

OSHA has updated its Hazard Communication Standard to align with the seventh revision of the GHS. This update took effect on July 19, 2024. This revision includes new rules on hazard classifications, revised provisions for updating labels, and new labeling provisions for small containers.

New rules mean new labeling for your company's chemical products. Some industries that are affected are new markets, hazardous product manufacturers, importers, and distributors in the US, who all need to update and replace their labels.

Order OSHA and GHS-compliant labels

Following OSHA and GHS regulations plays a crucial role in the safe handling of chemicals. Compliant hazard labels ensure products are properly labeled and packaged to comply with these regulations. Create a safe environment with our OSHA and GHS labels today.