Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) – Page 2
3.0 GHS ELEMENTS:
The GHS defines and classifies the hazards of chemical products, and communicates health and safety information on labels and safety data sheets. The goal is that the same set of rules for classifying hazards, and same format and content for labels and safety data sheets (SDS) will be adopted & used around the world.
The main elements in GHS are:
(1)Hazard Classification; (2) Label Elements; (3) Hazard Pictograms; (4) Safety Data Sheet; and (5) Training.
3.1 GHS Hazard Classification:
GHS deal with three types of Hazard classification, viz.: (1) Health Hazards; (2) Physical Hazards; and (3) Environmental Hazards. Health hazards presents dangers to human health, which consists of 10 Hazard Classes. Physical hazards cause damage to the body, which consists of 16 Hazard Classes. Environmental hazards has 2 Hazard Classes. However in 2009, a new hazard class for substances and mixtures hazardous to the ozone layer was introduced in the 3rd revised edition of GHS.
3.2 GHS Label Elements:
The standardized label elements included in the GHS are:
Symbols (Hazard Pictograms); Signal Words; Hazard Statement; Precautionary Statements; Product Identifier; Supplier Identification; and Supplemental Information. (See Fig 02)
3.3 GHS Hazard Pictograms:
GHS focus on four types of pictograms, viz.: (1) Physical Hazards Pictograms; (2) Health Hazards Pictograms; (3) Physical & Health Hazard Pictograms; & (4) Environmental Hazards Pictograms, which are shown in Fig 03.
There has been discussion about the size of GHS pictograms and that a GHS pictogram might be confused with a transport pictogram or “diamond”. Transport pictograms are different in appearance than the GHS pictograms. Annex 7 of the Purple Book explains how the GHS pictograms are expected to be proportional to the size of the label text so that generally the GHS pictograms would be smaller than the transport pictograms.
3.4 GHS Label Format:
It may be mentioned here that, the GHS includes directions for application of the hazard communication elements on the label. In particular, it specifies for each hazard, and for each class within the hazard, what signal word, pictogram, and hazard statement should be used. The GHS hazard pictograms, signal words and hazard statements should be located together on the label. The actual label format or layout is not specified in the GHS. National authorities may choose to specify where information should appear on the label or allow supplier discretion.
3.5 Safety Data Sheet:
The safety data sheet or SDS (The GHS dropped the word “material” from material safety data sheet) is specifically aimed at use in the workplace. It should provide comprehensive information about the chemical product that allows employers and workers to obtain concise, relevant and accurate information in perspective to the hazards, uses and risk management of the chemical product in the workplace.
While there were some differences in existing industry recommendations and country specific requirements, there was agreement on a 16 section SDS to include the following headings in the order specified: (1) Identification; (2) Hazard(s) identification; (3) Composition/ information on ingredients; (4) First-aid measures; (5) Fire-fighting measures; (6) Accidental release measures; (7) Handling and storage; (8) Exposure control/ personal protection; (9) Physical and chemical properties; (10) Chemical stability and reactivity; (11) Toxicological information; (12) Ecological information; (13) Disposal considerations; (14) Transport information; (15) Regulatory information; and (16) Other information.
The GHS SDS headings, sequence and content are similar to the ISO, European Union and ANSI MSDS/SDS requirements. The SDS should provide a clear description of the data used to identify the hazards.
3.6 Training:
Training will be a key component of the overall GHS approach and should incorporate information as it is introduced into the workplace. Employees and emergency responders will need to be trained on all new program elements, from hazard statements to pictograms.