Home Safety & Handling
Safety & Handling Guide
GHS Classification & Labelling
Understanding chemical safety labels is essential for safe handling, storage, and transport. This guide explains the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of classification and labelling, including pictograms, signal words, hazard statements (H-codes), and precautionary statements (P-codes).
GHS Pictograms
GHS pictograms are standardized symbols used worldwide to communicate specific hazards associated with chemical substances. Each pictogram represents a category of danger.
💥
GHS01
Exploding Bomb
Explosives, self-reactive substances, organic peroxides
🔥
GHS02
Flame
Flammable gases, liquids, solids, aerosols, self-heating substances
⭕
GHS03
Flame Over Circle
Oxidizing gases, liquids, and solids
🛢️
GHS04
Gas Cylinder
Compressed, liquefied, dissolved, or refrigerated gases under pressure
🧪
GHS05
Corrosion
Corrosive to metals, causes severe skin burns and serious eye damage
☠️
GHS06
Skull & Crossbones
Acute toxicity (fatal or toxic if swallowed, inhaled, or in contact with skin)
❗
GHS07
Exclamation Mark
Irritant, skin sensitizer, acute toxicity (harmful), narcotic effects
🫀
GHS08
Health Hazard
Carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, organ toxicity
🐟
GHS09
Environment
Hazardous to the aquatic environment (acute and chronic)
Signal Words
Signal words indicate the relative severity of a hazard. There are only two signal words in the GHS system:
Danger
Used for more severe hazard categories. Indicates that the chemical presents a serious or life-threatening hazard. Examples include acute toxicity (fatal), flammable liquids (Category 1), and carcinogens.
Warning
Used for less severe hazard categories. Indicates that the chemical presents a hazard that is less serious than those warranting "Danger." Examples include skin irritants and flammable liquids (Category 4).
Hazard Statements (H-Codes)
Hazard statements describe the nature and severity of a chemical hazard. Each H-code corresponds to a specific type of danger. They are divided into three groups: Physical Hazards (H200-H290), Health Hazards (H300-H373), and Environmental Hazards (H400-H420).
Physical Hazards (H200-H290)
| Code | Statement |
|---|---|
| H200 | Unstable explosive |
| H201 | Explosive; mass explosion hazard |
| H202 | Explosive; severe projection hazard |
| H203 | Explosive; fire, blast or projection hazard |
| H220 | Extremely flammable gas |
| H221 | Flammable gas |
| H222 | Extremely flammable aerosol |
| H223 | Flammable aerosol |
| H224 | Extremely flammable liquid and vapor |
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapor |
| H226 | Flammable liquid and vapor |
| H227 | Combustible liquid |
| H228 | Flammable solid |
| H229 | Pressurized container: may burst if heated |
| H230 | May react explosively even in the absence of air |
| H240 | Heating may cause an explosion |
| H241 | Heating may cause a fire or explosion |
| H242 | Heating may cause a fire |
| H250 | Catches fire spontaneously if exposed to air |
| H251 | Self-heating; may catch fire |
| H252 | Self-heating in large quantities; may catch fire |
| H260 | In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously |
| H261 | In contact with water releases flammable gas |
| H270 | May cause or intensify fire; oxidizer |
| H271 | May cause fire or explosion; strong oxidizer |
| H272 | May intensify fire; oxidizer |
| H280 | Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated |
| H281 | Contains refrigerated gas; may cause cryogenic burns or injury |
| H290 | May be corrosive to metals |
Health Hazards (H300-H373)
| Code | Statement |
|---|---|
| H300 | Fatal if swallowed |
| H301 | Toxic if swallowed |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed |
| H304 | May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways |
| H310 | Fatal in contact with skin |
| H311 | Toxic in contact with skin |
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction |
| H318 | Causes serious eye damage |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation |
| H330 | Fatal if inhaled |
| H331 | Toxic if inhaled |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled |
| H334 | May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled |
| H335 | May cause respiratory irritation |
| H336 | May cause drowsiness or dizziness |
| H340 | May cause genetic defects |
| H341 | Suspected of causing genetic defects |
| H350 | May cause cancer |
| H351 | Suspected of causing cancer |
| H360 | May damage fertility or the unborn child |
| H361 | Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child |
| H362 | May cause harm to breast-fed children |
| H370 | Causes damage to organs |
| H371 | May cause damage to organs |
| H372 | Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure |
| H373 | May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure |
Environmental Hazards (H400-H420)
| Code | Statement |
|---|---|
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life |
| H401 | Toxic to aquatic life |
| H402 | Harmful to aquatic life |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects |
| H411 | Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects |
| H412 | Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects |
| H413 | May cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life |
| H420 | Harms public health and the environment by destroying ozone in the upper atmosphere |
Precautionary Statements (P-Codes)
Precautionary statements advise on how to minimize or prevent adverse effects from exposure to a hazardous chemical. They are divided into five groups: General (P100), Prevention (P200), Response (P300), Storage (P400), and Disposal (P500).
General (P100)
| Code | Statement |
|---|---|
| P101 | If medical advice is needed, have product container or label at hand |
| P102 | Keep out of reach of children |
| P103 | Read label before use |
Prevention (P200)
| Code | Statement |
|---|---|
| P201 | Obtain special instructions before use |
| P202 | Do not handle until all safety precautions have been read and understood |
| P210 | Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking |
| P211 | Do not spray on an open flame or other ignition source |
| P220 | Keep away from clothing and other combustible materials |
| P222 | Do not allow contact with air |
| P223 | Do not allow contact with water |
| P230 | Keep wetted with... |
| P231 | Handle and store contents under inert gas/... |
| P232 | Protect from moisture |
| P233 | Keep container tightly closed |
| P234 | Keep only in original packaging |
| P235 | Keep cool |
| P240 | Ground and bond container and receiving equipment |
| P241 | Use explosion-proof electrical, ventilating, lighting equipment |
| P242 | Use non-sparking tools |
| P243 | Take action to prevent static discharges |
| P244 | Keep valves and fittings free from oil and grease |
| P250 | Do not subject to grinding, shock, friction |
| P251 | Do not pierce or burn, even after use |
| P260 | Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapors/spray |
| P261 | Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapors/spray |
| P262 | Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing |
| P263 | Avoid contact during pregnancy and while nursing |
| P264 | Wash hands thoroughly after handling |
| P270 | Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product |
| P271 | Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area |
| P272 | Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace |
| P273 | Avoid release to the environment |
| P280 | Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection |
| P282 | Wear cold insulating gloves and either face shield or eye protection |
| P283 | Wear fire resistant or flame retardant clothing |
| P284 | Wear respiratory protection |
| P285 | In case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection |
Response (P300)
| Code | Statement |
|---|---|
| P301 | IF SWALLOWED: |
| P302 | IF ON SKIN: |
| P303 | IF ON SKIN (or hair): |
| P304 | IF INHALED: |
| P305 | IF IN EYES: |
| P306 | IF ON CLOTHING: |
| P308 | IF exposed or concerned: |
| P310 | Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor |
| P311 | Call a POISON CENTER or doctor |
| P312 | Call a POISON CENTER or doctor if you feel unwell |
| P313 | Get medical advice/attention |
| P314 | Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell |
| P315 | Get immediate medical advice/attention |
| P320 | Specific treatment is urgent (see supplemental first aid on label) |
| P321 | Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid on label) |
| P330 | Rinse mouth |
| P331 | Do NOT induce vomiting |
| P332 | If skin irritation occurs: |
| P333 | If skin irritation or rash occurs: |
| P334 | Immerse in cool water or wrap in wet bandages |
| P335 | Brush off loose particles from skin |
| P336 | Thaw frosted parts with lukewarm water. Do not rub affected area |
| P337 | If eye irritation persists: |
| P338 | Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing |
| P340 | Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing |
| P342 | If experiencing respiratory symptoms: |
| P351 | Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes |
| P352 | Wash with plenty of water |
| P353 | Rinse skin with water or shower |
| P360 | Immediately rinse contaminated clothing and skin with plenty of water before removing clothing |
| P361 | Immediately remove all contaminated clothing |
| P362 | Take off contaminated clothing |
| P363 | Wash contaminated clothing before reuse |
| P370 | In case of fire: |
| P371 | In case of major fire and large quantities: |
| P372 | Explosion risk |
| P373 | DO NOT fight fire when fire reaches explosives |
| P375 | Fight fire remotely due to the risk of explosion |
| P376 | Stop leak if safe to do so |
| P377 | Leaking gas fire: Do not extinguish, unless leak can be stopped safely |
| P378 | Use appropriate media to extinguish |
| P380 | Evacuate area |
| P381 | In case of leakage, eliminate all ignition sources |
| P390 | Absorb spillage to prevent material damage |
| P391 | Collect spillage |
Storage (P400)
| Code | Statement |
|---|---|
| P401 | Store in accordance with applicable regulations |
| P402 | Store in a dry place |
| P403 | Store in a well-ventilated place |
| P404 | Store in a closed container |
| P405 | Store locked up |
| P406 | Store in corrosive resistant container with a resistant inner liner |
| P407 | Maintain air gap between stacks or pallets |
| P410 | Protect from sunlight |
| P411 | Store at temperatures not exceeding specified temperature |
| P412 | Do not expose to temperatures exceeding 50 °C / 122 °F |
| P413 | Store bulk masses at temperatures not exceeding specified temperature |
| P420 | Store separately |
| P422 | Store contents under specified media |
Disposal (P500)
| Code | Statement |
|---|---|
| P501 | Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local/regional/national/international regulations |
| P502 | Refer to manufacturer or supplier for information on recovery or recycling |
Disclaimer
This guide is provided for informational purposes only. Always refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for complete safety information about a specific chemical product. SoleChem S.R.L. provides SDS documents for all products upon request. For specific safety questions, please contact our team.