Container Labels Reading and work safely-Safety Poster

The United Nations (UN) adopted the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) in 2003. The GHS includes criteria for the classification of health, physical and environmental hazards, as well as specifying what information should be included on labels ( container Labels) and safety data sheets of hazardous chemicals.
Since that time, GHS has been and continues to be adopted and implemented transitionally around the globe.

Table of Contents

The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) describes chemical labels as information provided through a group of written, printed, or graphic appropriate elements concerning a hazardous chemical. These should be placed on the immediate container of a hazardous chemical. The Hazard Communication Standard also is now known as the Right to Understand Standard, requires chemical manufacturers, importers, or distributors to ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals is labeled, tagged, or marked. Employers also have a responsibility for labeling and ensuring employees are trained on hazardous chemicals. in the photo of today, you will be familiar with

Chemical containers with GHSC Labels
Immediate Use Container Labels
GHS Labels for Primary Containers
GHS Labels for Secondary Containers
Workers Responsiablities in Container Labeling

Employer Labeling Responsiabilities

Employers are responsible for maintaining the labels on containers, including, but not limited to tanks, totes, and drums. This means that labels must be maintained on chemicals in a manner that continues to be legible and the pertinent information (such as the hazards and directions for use) does not get defaced or removed in any way. If the label is lost, damaged, or becomes illegible, it is the responsibility of the employer to relabel items immediately.

Additionally, if an employer is aware of newly-identified hazards that are not disclosed on a label, the employer must ensure that the workers are aware, through training, of the associated hazards.

( Know more about Hazard Communication )

OSHA Work Place Lables

OSHA has not changed the general requirements for workplace labeling, but it updated the requirements for labeling hazardous chemicals under its Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). Here are some of the key requirements to be aware of:

All labels must have pictograms, a signal word, hazard and precautionary statements, the product identifier, and supplier identification.
Workplace labels must be provided in English.
Other languages should be added to the label if applicable or necessary.

Employers may use additional instructional symbols that are not included in OSHA’s HCS pictograms on the workplace labels. An example of an instructional pictogram is a person with goggles, denoting that goggles must be worn while handling the given chemical. Including both types of pictograms in the workplace, labels are acceptable.

Container Labels — **GHS Label Requirements: The Six Elements**

Labeling is the cornerstone of GHS compliance. With an emphasis on consistency and comprehension of chemical labels, it is important to know what goes into a GHS compliant label for primary and secondary containers. There are six key GHS label elements that you need to know.

Signal WordThe signal word indicates hazard level. “Danger” is used for the most severe instances, while “Warning” is less severe.
GHS Symbols (Hazard Pictograms)These pictograms are used to identify hazardous products and are commonly grouped by chemical / physical risk, health risk and environmental risk. View our GHS pictogram guide.
Manufacturer InformationThis identifies the manufacturer’s company name, address and telephone number.
Precautionary Statements / First AidThese are phrases that are tied to each hazard statement. They describe general preventive, response, storage or disposal precautions. These statements are found on the chemical’s Safety Data Sheet. Similar to Hazard Statements, Precautionary Statements can be identified by a P-Code (like P100).
Hazard StatementsThese are phrases that describe the nature of hazardous products and the degree of hazard. Hazard statements are on the chemical’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and identified by an H-Code (like H100).
Product Name or IdentifiersThis identifies the product or chemical name. Additional identifiers can be noted to the right of the Manufacturer’s information (#1).

6 Tips to Ensure GHS Compliance for Smaller, Down-Packed Chemical

Primary vs. Secondary Container Labels

GHS Labels for Primary Containers

Primary chemical containers are the bags, barrels, bottles, boxes, cans, cylinders, and drums that you receive from the manufacturer. These containers should be labeled following the GHS mandates per the GHS label example above and include all six labeling elements.

When a label is on a container directly from a supplier, this label cannot be removed, altered, or defaced. If it needs to be replaced, the new label must contain the same information as the original.

GHS Labels for Secondary Containers

Secondary containers are usually smaller than primary containers and could include spray bottles, jugs, or jars. These containers usually hold chemicals that are transferred from a primary container. GHS labels for secondary containers must comply with labeling requirements except when the following criteria are met:

The material is used within the work shift of the individual who makes the transfer
The worker who made the transfer is in the work area the entire time during use
The container stays within the work area and in the possession of the worker who filled the container

For secondary containers that come with pre-printed labels, OSHA states that those labels will suffice if the container is used within the same shift and by the same worker. The worker also must retain possession of the container the entire time it is in use. Otherwise, employers should follow the labeling standards outlined above.

If an employer transfers hazardous chemicals from a labeled container to a portable secondary container that is only intended for immediate use by the employee who performs the transfer, no labels are required for the portable container. If the employee will not have direct control of the transferred chemical until it is exhausted, then the container must contain a label to warn other employees what the contents are. A labeled container is not a replacement for having the appropriate SDS available to the employee.

Used drink or food containers are not to be used for secondary containers since the chemical may react with the leftover residue, or employees may think what is on the label is what is in the container (i.e. sports drink) and could accidentally consume the liquid. Only use the containers provided by your employer and follow their labeling practices.

Note: OSHA has not changed the general requirements for secondary container labeling specifically. Employers have the option to create their own workplace labels by using all of the information provided by the manufacturer or using a combination of the label elements, specific to the hazards of the chemicals, from the above GHS label example.

Workers Responsiablities in Container Labeling

While the bulk of container labeling responsibilities falls upon the employer, employees do still have some responsibilities. These include:

Employees must participate in training.
Employees must report chemical containers with missing or damaged labeling to the employer.
Employees should not use chemicals that are not labeled appropriately.
Employees should not use chemicals that they have not received hazard communication training.

Conclusion

All containers of chemicals must be labeled. There are various types of labels that are used to inform people about chemicals and their hazards.
Adoption of the Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) by countries all over the globe has or will lead to new standardized label information to be used by chemical manufacturers and distributors.
More information on your country’s requirements and site labeling system will be provided in other chapters of this course and/or during site-level training.

Now you can download the Infographic ” Read all labels work safe” and post it at the workplace to be communicated with workers

Spill Containment and Spill Prevention and Control Countermeasures