GHS
PICTOGRAMS
PICTOGRAMS
This pictogram shows a flame and is used for chemicals that can catch fire easily.
Flame pictogram (flammables).
This single word on the label, such as “Danger” or “Warning,” tells you how severe the hazard is.
Signal word.
The document that explains hazards, safe handling, storage, and emergency measures for a chemical is called this.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
A chemical that can burn skin or eyes badly enough to cause permanent damage is described as this type of hazard.
Corrosive
These are items you wear, such as gloves, goggles, or respirators, to reduce exposure to chemical hazards.
Personal protective equipment (PPE).
This symbol shows a skull with two crossed bones and signals that a small amount of the chemical can be deadly or toxic.
Skull and crossbones pictogram (acute toxicity, severe).
These short phrases on the label describe the type of hazard, such as “Highly flammable liquid and vapor.”
Hazard statements.
Under GHS, SDSs follow a standardized format with this many sections.
16 sections.
Health problems that appear quickly after a single exposure, such as dizziness or throat irritation, are called this type of effect.
Acute health effects.
Using a closed transfer system or local exhaust ventilation to keep vapors away from workers is this type of control.
Engineering Control
This pictogram shows a person with a starburst on the chest and is used for hazards like cancer, respiratory sensitizers, or organ damage.
Health hazard pictogram (chronic health effects).
These instructions on the label describe recommended measures to reduce exposure, such as “Wear eye protection” or “Keep container tightly closed.”
Precautionary statements.
The SDS section that describes the chemical’s main hazards and shows the GHS pictograms and signal word.
Hazard identification.
Health problems like cancer or organ damage that may develop after repeated or long‑term exposure are called this type of effect.
Chronic health effects.
Rotating workers, limiting time in an area, or writing procedures for safe handling are examples of this category of controls.
Administrative Controls (or work practice controls).
This pictogram shows test tubes pouring liquid on a hand and metal, indicating the chemical can cause serious skin/eye burns and corrode metals.
Corrosion pictogram.
This part of the label must identify who is responsible for the chemical, including name, address, and telephone number.
Manufacturer, importer, or responsible party information.
The SDS section where you would look to find recommended personal protective equipment for normal use.
Exposure controls/personal protection.
A chemical that removes oxygen from the air and can suffocate you without warning is called this.
Simple asphyxiant.
When working with a corrosive liquid, this combination of PPE is commonly needed to protect eyes and skin from splashes.
Chemical‑resistant gloves and eye/face protection (e.g., goggles and/or face shield).
This pictogram shows a flame over a circle and is used for chemicals that can make other materials burn more easily, even though they may not burn themselves.
Flame over circle pictogram (oxidizers).
Under HazCom aligned with GHS, a shipped container label must include at least this set of core elements (name at least four).
Product identifier, signal word, hazard statement(s), pictogram(s), precautionary statement(s), and supplier information (any four of these).
If you want to know how to respond to a spill or leak of a chemical, which SDS section would you check?
Accidental release measures.
Dusts that can explode when suspended in air and ignited, such as certain metal or grain dusts, fall under this type of physical hazard.
Combustible dust.
You see an SDS that says “may cause cancer” and shows the health hazard pictogram. Name at least two types of controls you should consider beyond just wearing basic gloves.
Any two of: engineering controls (enclosed process, local exhaust ventilation), administrative controls (training, limiting exposure time), higher‑level PPE (respiratory protection if needed, additional protective clothing).