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GHS Hazard Statements

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Hazard statements form a critical part of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). These hazard statements, along with other key information required for labels (pictograms, precautionary statements, signal word, etc) are important components of the new OSHA/GHS labeling system, which came into effect today, June 1st, 2016.

These standardized statements about the hazards of chemical substances and mixtures are meant to be easily translated into multiple languages to create a universal statement recognized by all, regardless of a language barrier.

Each hazard statement has a designated code starting with “H” followed by three digits.

Statements which correspond to related hazards (physical, health, and environmental) are grouped together by code number, so the numbering is not always consecutive. The numbers should also only be used for references, like during translation, and should not appear on the label itself. The actual phrase corresponding to the number should appear on labels and safety data sheets (SDS).

Each of the hazard statements may be combined with other hazard statements  to reduce redundancies and improve readability. For example, individually, H303+H313+ H333, should read “May be harmful if swallowed. May be harmful in contact with skin. May be harmful if inhaled.” But combining the three into, “May be harmful if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled” sounds clearer and reads significantly better (1).

All assigned hazard statements should appear on the label unless otherwise specified in 1.4.10.5.3.3. (2) Although, the competent authority can specify the order in which they appear.

The complete list of hazard statements are listed below, these lists are separated according to their related hazards (Physical, Health and Environmental).

GHS Physical Hazard Statements:

  • H200: Unstable explosive
  • H201: Explosive; mass explosion hazard
  • H202: Explosive; severe projection hazard
  • H203: Explosive; fire, blast or projection hazard
  • H204: Fire or projection hazard
  • H205: May mass explode in fire
  • H220: Extremely flammable gas
  • H221: Flammable gas
  • H222: Extremely flammable aerosol
  • H223: Flammable aerosol
  • H224: Extremely flammable liquid and vapour
  • H225: Highly flammable liquid and vapour
  • H226: Flammable liquid and vapour
  • H227: Combustible liquid
  • H228: Flammable solid
  • H229: Pressurized container: may burst if heated
  • H230: May react explosively even in the absence of air
  • H231: May react explosively even in the absence of air at elevated pressure and/or temperature
  • 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 Hazard Statements:

  • H300: Fatal if swallowed
  • H301: Toxic if swallowed
  • H302: Harmful if swallowed
  • H303: May be harmful if swallowed
  • H304: May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways
  • H305: May be harmful if swallowed and enters airways
  • H310: Fatal in contact with skin
  • H311: Toxic in contact with skin
  • H312: Harmful in contact with skin
  • H313: May be harmful in contact with skin
  • H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
  • H315: Causes skin irritation
  • H316: Causes mild skin irritation
  • H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction
  • H318: Causes serious eye damage
  • H319: Causes serious eye irritation
  • H320: Causes eye irritation
  • H330: Fatal if inhaled
  • H331: Toxic if inhaled
  • H332: Harmful if inhaled
  • H333: May be 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
  • H361d: Suspected of damaging 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 Hazard Statements

  • 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

 

If you have any questions regarding ordering GHS labels please feel free to contact us.

If you have any specific questions regarding hazard statements and OSHA/GHS regulations, please refer to the OSHA website: https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/global.html

 

 

(1) https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3636.pdf
(2) https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trans/danger/publi/ghs/ghs_rev04/English/07e_annex3.pdf

 

 

 

 

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