What do GHS symbols look like and what do they mean?

The GHS regulation is composed to two types of symbols:

1. Labeling of containers and workplace warnings
2. Transport of dangerous goods

While authoring an MSDS/SDS one or the other is chosen depending on the target audience, the two types of pictograms are never used together. Both sets of pictograms use the same symbols for the same hazards, although certain symbols are not required for transport pictograms. Transport pictograms come in a wider variety of colors and may contain additional information such as a subcategory number.

All symbols which are used for labeling of containers and workplace warnings will have a black symbol on a white background with a red diamond frame (rotation of 45°). GHS symbols convey “Health”, “Physical” and “Environmental” hazard information and every symbol is assigned to a GHS hazard class and category. These symbols include graphic elements, such as borders, background patterns or colors that are intended to convey specific information. One new hazard symbol has been introduced which represents a “Health Hazard”, a white sprawling mass within a bust of a human. This new symbol is used to represent the following:

1. Carcinogens
2. Mutagens
3. Reproductive Toxicity
4. Aspiration Hazard
5. Respiratory Sensitizers
6. Substances which have target Organ Toxicity

Another new symbol which has been created is the “Exclamation Mark”, which is intended to represent harmful chemicals and irritants. “Exclamation Mark” is not used with the “Skull and Crossbones” pictogram if present. The “Exclamation Mark”, is also not used for skin and eye irritation if the “Corrosion” pictogram is present; in that case the “Health Hazard” pictogram is used to indicate respiratory sensitization. However five GHS classes have been subdivided into categories but no pictogram has been assigned to them.

What concerns the transport pictograms is that they have the background, symbol and colors currently used in the “UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods”. Where a transport pictogram appears, the GHS pictogram for the same hazard should not appear. For the transportation class on Explosives i.e. Class 1, “*” is to be replaced by the indication of the compatibility group or to be left blank if explosive is the subsidiary risk. Some symbols do have two pictograms that differ in their appearance, i.e. symbol, the number and the border line may be shown in black instead of white which applies to the following classes

1. Flammable gases Division 2.1
2. Non-flammable non-toxic gases Division 2.2
3. Flammable liquids Class 3
4. Substances which in contact with water emit flammable gases Division 4.3
5. Organic peroxides Division 5.2

One should know that the hazard pictograms are one of the key elements for the labeling of containers under the GHS regulation system.