D11 1 chem class and lab_final-web

TRP 2
Chemical Classification and
Labelling
IAMC Toolkit
Innovative Approaches for the Sound Management of
Chemicals and Chemical Waste

This presentation is an introduction to the safe use
of hazardous substances. It aims at providing
information to understand how chemicals are
classified based on their intrinsic physical, health
and environmental hazards (Globally Harmonized
System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
GHS).
These information allow the reader understanding
the chemical potential risk for people, environment
and equipment.
Introduction
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Hazard Management
Checklists
1. Risk identification
and safety
2. Transport and
storage
3. Fire and explosion
protection
4. Emergency
response
11. Chemical classification
and labelling
21. Internal transport of
chemicals
31. Fire protection
41. Emergency response
plan
12. Risk assessment
22. Internal pedestrian
routes
32. Fire protection in
welding and cutting
operations
13. Safety rules 23. Storage 33. Explosion protection
14. Personal protective
equipment
34. Container cleaning
15. Skin protection
16. Emergency escape
routes
17. Handling of solvents,
acids and bases
18. Safety in gas tank
handling

Contents
1. Introduction to hazardous substances
2. UN Globally Harmonized
3. System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
(GHS)
4. GHS Classification
5. Hazard Communication: GHS Labelling
6. Examples

Introduction to Hazardous
Substances
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Chemicals
Chemicals
 Are an integral part of daily life and most production
processes depend on them
 Can have intrinsic hazardous properties, in which case
they are considered also hazardous substances
 Can be substances or mixtures (two or more substances
that do not react)
 Can be corrosive, reactive, flammable, explosive,
oxidizing, inert
 Can contribute to serious health effects such as
burns/rashes, kidney damage, lung damage, heart
ailments, cancer, central nervous system damage, etc.

Hazardous substances are
considered those that can have
adverse effects on human health
and the environment, or can be
involved in a chemical accident due
to their reactive properties.
Examples:
 Substances posing physical
hazards (e.g. explosions, fires)
 Substances causing skin and eye
irritation
 Substances presenting
environmental hazards
 Poisons, etc.
Hazardous Substances
Source: ISSPPRO

Effective Control of Chemical Risks
 The use of hazardous chemicals can pose a risk to the
workplace and to the local environment.
 Important! Establish a systematic approach to safety in
the use of chemicals at the workplace to ensure a safe and
healthy work environment and reduce the risks of major
accidents.
Source: Londoño G.

Example of Occupational Exposure Routes
Exposure routes include:
 Inhalation
 Skin absorption
 Ingestion/Swallowing
 Injection
 Ocular
Important:
We need to know chemical
hazards in order to protect
ourselves and prevent
exposure.
Source: ISSPPRO
Ingestion Inhalation
Skin contact Skin absorption

Classification of Chemicals
Classification is the process of determining the intrinsic
physical, health and environmental hazards of a chemical.
It is aimed at improving the knowledge of:
 Chemical hazards
 Chemicals use
 Risks arising from their use
 Precautions to be taken to protect people and the environment
 Means of communicating this information along the supply chain

Classification as Basis for Chemical Safety
Therefore, it is extremely important to:
 Understand how chemicals are classified
 Communicate the hazard information of hazardous
chemicals
 

Optional Questions to Test Your Knowledge
 What are hazardous substances?
 Can you give some examples?
 Why is it important for chemicals to be classified?

UN Globally Harmonized
System of Classification and
Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)

What is GHS?
 Comprehensive tool that harmonizes chemical classification and
hazard communication
 Covers all hazardous substances including mixtures
 The classification and hazard communication of substances and
mixtures are covered by the GHS
 Target audiences:
 Consumers
 Workers, including transport workers
 Emergency responders

REACH Definition of Substance and Mixture
Substance: A chemical element and its compounds in the
natural state or obtained by any manufacturing process,
including any additive necessary to preserve stability and any
impurity deriving from the process used, but excluding any
solvent which may be separated without affecting the stability
of the substance or changing its composition.
Mixture: A mixture or solution composed of two or more
substances

Why was the GHS Developed?
Many different systems with differing requirements existed
worldwide:
 Different hazards covered and classification criteria used
 Information required on labels and safety data sheets
(SDSs) varied
 Result: disparity in the information provided
 Conflicting and inconsistent information on classification
and safety (labelling and safety data sheets)

GHS Historical Background
 The GHS was developed by the United Nations as a non-
binding treaty for UN member countries (2003)
 International mandate: Agenda 21(1992), Chapter 19,
Programme Area B, paragraphs 26 and 27
 Not a formal treaty, but a non-legally binding international
agreement
 Provides the basis for harmonizing regulations on
chemicals at national, regional and worldwide levels
 It is continually reviewed and updated by a UN
subcommittee (GHS Rev.5, 2013).

UN Globally Harmonized System of Classification
and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)
Purpose of the GHS:
 Ensuring that information on the hazardous properties of
chemicals is available worldwide in order to enhance the
protection of human health and the environment during the
handling, transport and use of chemicals
 Providing a structure for countries that do not yet have a
classification and labelling system
 Reducing the need for testing and evaluation of chemicals
 Facilitating the international trade in chemicals whose
hazards have been properly assessed and identified on an
international basis

GHS Classification

GHS Classification
GHS provides a hazard-based system of classification
focusing on the intrinsic properties of chemicals including:
 Physical hazards (e.g. explosivity, corrosivity)
 Health hazards (e.g. potential to cause cancer in
humans, to irritate the skin or eyes)
 Environmental hazards (e.g. harmful to the aquatic
environment)

GHS – Hazard Classes and Categories
Each hazard group consists of classes and categories
(sub-sections of classes)
 Example: The hazard class “Self-reactive substances and
mixtures” has seven hazard categories (A-G).
In general, the hazard categories are either in numerical
or alphabetical order with “1” or “A” representing the
most hazardous category.

Physical hazards
Level of hazard
Hazard class Hazard category
Explosives Unstable
explosives
Div 1.1 Div 1.2 Div 1.3 Div 1.4 Div 1.5 Div 1.6
Flammable gases 1 2
Flammable aerosols 1 2
Oxidising gases 1
Gases under pressure
1Compressed gases, liquefied gases
Refrigerated liquefied gases, dissolved gases
Flammable liquids 1 2 3 4
Flammable solids 1 2
Self-reactive substances Type A Type B Type C Type D Type E Type F Type G
Pyrophoric liquids 1
Pyrophoric solids 1
Self-heating substances and mixtures 1 2
Substances and mixtures which, in contact with
water, emit flammable gases
1 2 3
Oxidizing liquids 1 2 3
Oxidizing solids 1 2 3
Organic peroxides Type A Type B Type C Type D Type E Type F Type G
Corrosive to metals 1 Source: based on UN GHS, 2013

Health hazards
Level of hazard
Acute toxicity
1 2 3 4 5
Acute toxicity: oral
Acute toxicity: dermal
Acute toxicity: inhalation
Skin corrosion/irritation 1A 1B 1C 2 3
Serious eye damage/eye irritation 1A 2A 2B
Respiratory or skin sensitization 1
Germ cell mutagenicity 1A 1B 2
Carcinogenicity 1A 1B 2
Reproductive toxicity - fertility 1A 1B 2 Lactation
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure 1 2 3
Specific target organ toxicity - repeated
exposure 1 2
Aspiration hazard 1 2
Source: based on UN GHS, 2013

Environmental hazards
Level of hazard
Aquatic toxicity, acute 1 2 3
Aquatic toxicity, chronic 1 2 3 4
Hazardous to the ozone
layer
1

Example: Physical Hazard GHS Classification
Decision Logic
GHS provides guidance
for classification
Example: decision logic
for flammable liquids
based on flashpoint and
initial boiling point
Source: UN GHS, 2013

Example: Health Hazard GHS Classification
Decision Logic
GHS provides guidance
for classification
Example: decision logic
for acute toxicity based
on an acute toxicity
estimate calculation
(ATE)

Hazard Communication:
GHS Labelling

GHS Hazard Communication
 Based on GHS classification criteria, the GHS hazard
communication system was developed, including:
 Labelling
 Safety data sheets (SDSs)
Source: ISSPPRO
Note:
MSDS=SDS

Important: Efficient Flow of Hazard Information
GHS labels and safety data sheets (SDSs) are important
tools for
 Communicating hazard information
 Eliminating or minimizing the risks associated with the use
of hazardous chemicals in workplaces
 Incorrect information in SDSs can lead to the mishandling
of chemicals, often causing injuries, economic losses or
environmental damage, etc.

Target Audience: Needs
Factors to be considered for hazard communication:
 Potential use of products
 Availability of information other than labels (e.g. SDSs,
related data sheets)
 Availability of specific training
Needs of user:
 Workplace: labels, SDSs, specific training
 Consumers: labels
 Emergency responders: labels, specific training
 Transport: labels, transport documents, specific training

GHS Labelling
 To communicate hazard information to end users through
labels and SDSs, GHS uses:
 Signal words
 Pictograms (symbols)
 Hazard statements
 Precautionary statements and pictograms

GHS – Signal Words
 Signal words are prominently displayed words on labelling
to:
 Alert the label reader to a potential hazard
 Indicate the relative severity of the hazard
 There are two signal words used on labels in the GHS:
 DANGER (higher severity)
 WARNING

GHS – Pictograms
 The GHS prescribes the following pictograms to convey
the hazards of chemicals
Exploding bomb
Explosives
Flame
Flammables
Flame over circle
Oxidisers
Gas cylinder
Gases under
pressure
Corrosion
Corrosives
Skull and
crossbones
Acute toxicity
Environment
Environmental
hazard
Exclamation mark
Harmful/irritant
Harmful to
ozone layer
Health hazard
Severe health
hazards

Hazard classes
Old EU hazard
symbols
GHS
pictograms
Transport
pictograms
Explosives
Flammables
Oxidizers
Corrosives
Acute toxicity
Harmonized Labelling: GHS and Transport
Pictograms
 GHS classification criteria are based on UN recommendations on the
transport of dangerous goods
Source: UNECE GHS

GHS – Hazard Statements
 Describe the nature of the hazards covered by the GHS
and the degree of severity
Hazard statement code numbers
H200 - H299 Physical hazard
H300 – H399 Health hazard
H400 – H499 Environmental hazard

Example: Flammable Liquids
Examples include:
H224: Extremely flammable liquid and vapour (Cat. 1)
H225: Highly flammable liquid and vapour (Cat. 2)
H226: Flammable liquid and vapour (Cat. 3)
H227: Combustion liquid (Cat. 4)

Exercise: Categorizing Flammable Liquids
Hazard
class
Hazard
category
Pictogram Signal
word
Hazard statement
Flammable
liquids
Category 1
e.g. ether
Danger H224
Extremely
flammable
liquid and
vapour
Category 2
e.g.
acetone
Danger H225
Highly
flammable
liquid and
vapour
Category 3
e.g. xylene Warning H226
Flammable
liquid and
vapour
Category 4
e.g. diesel
No
pictogram Warning H227
Combustible
liquid

Exercise: Oxidizing Gases
Hazard
class
Hazard
category
Pictogram Signal word Hazard statement
Oxidizing
gases
Category 1
e.g.: oxygen,
nitrous oxide
Danger H270
May cause
or intensify
fire; oxidizer

Exercise: Gases Under Pressure – What Could
Happen?
E.g. oxygen, nitrogen
E.g. butane, propane,
ammonia
E.g. acetylene
GASES UNDER PRESSURE
Hazard
category
Signal
word
Hazard statement
Symbol
Gas cylinder
Compressed
gas
Warning
H280 Contains gas
under pressure;
may explode if
heated
Liquefied gas Warning
H280 Contains gas
under pressure;
may explode if
heated
Dissolved gas Warning
H280 Contains gas
under pressure;
may explode if
heated
Precautionary statements
Prevention ResponseStorage Disposal
P140 + P403
Protect from sunlight. Store in
a well-ventilated place.
Source: ISSPPRO

Exercise: Gases Under Pressure – What
Could Happen? (Continued)
GASES UNDER PRESSURE
Hazard
category
Signal word Hazard statement Symbol
Gas cylinder
Refrigerated
liquefied gas
Warning H281 Contains
refrigerated gas; may
cause cryogenic burns
or injury
Precautionary statements
Prevention Response Storage Disposal
P282
Wear cold
insulating
gloves/face
shield/eye
protection.
P336
Thaw frosted parts with
lukewarm water. Do not
rub affected area.
P315
Get immediate medical
advice/attention.
P403
Store in a well-
ventilated
place.
E.g. liquid
nitrogen, liquid
helium
Source: ISSPPRO

Example: Substances and Mixtures which in
Contact with Water, Emit Flammable Gases
Hazard
class
Hazard
category
Pictogram Signal
word
Hazard statement
Substances
and
mixtures
which in
contact with
water, emit
flammable
gases
Category 1
e.g. sodium
hydride, carbon
carbide
Danger H260
In contact with
water releases
flammable gases
which may ignite
spontaneously
Category 2
e.g. magnesium
powder, calcium Danger H261
In contact with
water releases
flammable gases
Category 3
e.g. aluminium
powder
Warning H261
In contact with
water releases
flammable gases

GHS – Precautionary Statements
 Describe measures recommended to prevent or minimize:
 The adverse effects of exposure to a hazardous chemical, or
 Improper handling of a hazardous chemical
 Each hazard class/category has several associated
precautionary phrases
Precautionary statement code numbers
P 100 General
P 200 Prevention
P 300 Response
P 400 Storage
P 500 Disposal

Example: Flammable Liquids
 Precautionary statements which may apply:
 P210: Keep away from sparks and open flames. No
smoking. (Prevention)
 P370+378: In case of fire: Use powder for extinction.
(Response)
 P403+235: Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool.
(Storage)
 P501: Dispose of contents/container in accordance with
local regulations. (Disposal)

Precautionary Pictograms
 Posting of operational procedures highlighting the
necessary precautions and methods of handling chemicals
for certain tasks can help reduce the risk of accidents.
 Examples of precautionary pictograms to be included on
an operational procedure sign:

GHS – Other Information on Labels
 Product identifier (and ingredient proportions)
 Supplier/Manufacturer details
 Supplementary information, where applicable, such as:
 Hazard classes and hazard statements not specifically
covered by the GHS
 Expiry or retest date
 UN number

GHS Labels
Minimum information required on the labels:
1) Product identifier
2) Signal word
3) Pictogram
4) Hazard statement
5) Precautionary statement
6) Supplier identification

Exercise: Label for a Hazardous Substance
Methanol (solvent) (N° CE: 603-001-00-X)
DANGER
Highly flammable liquid and vapour H225
Toxic if swallowed
Toxic in contact with skin
Toxic if inhaled
Causes damage to organs (especially on eyes)
H301
H311
H331
H370
Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No
smoking.
Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
Wear protective gloves/clothing, eye/face protection.
If on skin: Wash with water and soap.
If swallowed: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. Immediately call a poison centre or a
doctor.
Store locked up.
P210
P403/233
P280
P302/352
P301/310
P405
Chemistry Example Sàrl 200 litres
St. Example 10, 1111 Town
Telephone 032 600 60 60
2
1
4
5
6
Example for methanol: 1) Product identifier, 2) Signal word, 3) Pictograms
4) Hazard statement, 5) Precautionary statement, 6) Supplier
identification
3

Example: Label for a Hazardous Mixture

Example: Combined GHS and TDG Label
The GHS also allows for
dangerous goods class
labels to be displayed
on labelling and safety
data sheets.
Example:
Label for combining
transport pictograms
and GHS requirements

Exercise: Combined GHS and TDG Labels

Exercise: Finalize a Combined GHS and TDG
Label
Example: Bulk supply of solvent
A solvent supplier provides solvents in 200-litre drums. These drums are transported directly to the
workplaces on pallets in a truck.
Which GHS and transport pictograms would need to be included on the label? See examples in the table
on the right.
GHS
Classification(s)
Flammable liquids: Category 2
Carcinogenicity: Category 1A
Germ cell mutagenicity: Category 1B
Specific target organ toxicity – repeated exposure: Category 1
Aspiration hazard: Category 1
Eye irritation: Category 2A
Skin irritation: Category 2
Signal word DANGER
Pictogram(s) ? ? ?
Hazard
statement(s)
(and codes)
H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour
H350 May cause cancer
H340 May cause genetic defects
H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated
exposure
H304 May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways
H315 Causes skin irritation
H319 Causes serious eye irritation Source: ISSPPRO

 What is the GHS and what is its purpose?
 Who benefits from a harmonized classification and hazard
communication?
 Explain the hazard-based system of the GHS classification and
how it is categorized. Give a few examples.
 What potential hazard is indicated by the
following pictograms?
 What hazard statement code numbers are used to warn about
physical hazards?

 What are the communication tools used in the GHS
system to ensure the efficient flow of hazard information?
 What are the prescribed elements of GHS labels?
 Can you recognize these pictograms?
What are the messages they are conveying?
TIP:
Visit the UNECE
GHS website if
you wish to read
more

Examples:
GHS Fosters Safety and
Resource Efficiency

Example: Accident Prevention
• Properly classified chemicals and available hazard information
(labels and safety data sheets) facilitate the evaluation of work
places and planning of necessary risk prevention measures.
• Example:
Prevention measures follow the STOP logic:
S. Substitution
T. Technical measures
O. Organizational measures
P. Personal protective equipment
Source: ISSPPRO

Example: Storage of Chemicals
Compliant storage may avoid serious chemical reactions:
POTENTIAL DANGER CONSEQUENCES
Acids + non-precious metals
Spontaneous combustion (gaseous
hydrogen)
Oxidizer + organic materials (wood,
paper, etc.)
Fire, explosion
Acid + base
Exothermic reaction (heat emission +
corrosive projections)
Nitric acid + organic substances or
metals
Toxic nitrous gas
Chlorine bleach + acids Toxic gaseous chlorine

Key messages
GHS classification
 Facilitates hazard identification and
helps users to manage potential risks of
exposure
 Provides useful information on the
hazard, the storage requirements and the
expected reactions in case of an accident

Where to Find More Information
 United Nations Commission for Europe (UNECE) about GHS:
General: http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/ghs_welcome_e.html
GHS pictograms: http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/pictograms.html
 United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) guidance
documents on the GHS:
http://www2.unitar.org/cwm/publications/ghs.aspx
 OECD’s eChemPortal provides public access to existing national GHS
classifications: http://www.oecd.org/ehs/echemportal/
 Swedish Chemicals Agency (KEMI) quiz to test your knowledge on
GHS pictograms: http://www.kemi.se/Global/Flash/CLP-
Quiz/EN/Quiz.html

Sources

Sources
 CSD Engineers, Switzerland/ISSPPRO, Germany, 2015
 United Nations, Globally Harmonized System of Classification and
Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), fifth revised edition, New York and Geneva,
2013.
 Safe Work Australia on classifying workplace hazardous chemicals, Australia,
http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/swa/whs-information/hazardous-
chemicals/classifying-chemicals/pages/classification, accessed June 2015
 Sicherheitsinstitut Switzerland, Lagerung gefährlicher Stoffe, Leitfaden für di
Praxis, Überarbeitete Auflage 2011, http://www.nw.ch/dl.php/de/0dm85-
ncpwz2/Lagerung_gefaehrlicher_Stoffe_Leitfaden_Version_2011_Web.pdf,
accessed June 2015
 European Commission: Chemicals at Work – A new labelling system, 2013,
http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=738&langId=en&pubId=7634, accessed
June 2015

Images
 ISSPPRO GmbH, Germany, 2015
 Londoño G. for NCPC Colombia
 United Nations, Globally Harmonized System of
Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), accessed
July 2015

Disclaimer
This presentation was prepared with the requested diligence
and with the generally accepted principles of the relevant
field.
If a third party uses the contents of the presentation in order
to take decisions, the authors disclaim any liability for any
kind of direct or indirect (consequential) damage.

D11 1 chem class and lab_final-web

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