Keeping You Safe Since 1970

1-888-326-9244

Favorites

Contact

Graphic Products
  • My Account
    No Account? Sign up
    Forgot password?
  • Cart ()
  • Printers & Supplies Printers
    Toro Max

    Toro Max

    NEW! portable all-in-one
    • Learn More
    • Toro Max Supplies
    Bronco Max

    Bronco Max

    NEW! reliable workhorse
    • Learn More
    • Bronco Max Supplies
    DuraLabel Kodiak

    DuraLabel Kodiak

    Multi-color, large format
    • Learn More
    • Kodiak Supplies
    DuraLabel Lobo

    DuraLabel Lobo

    Grab n' go labeler
    • Learn More
    • Lobo Supplies
    DuraLabel Toro

    DURALABEL TORO

    Mobile, stand-alone
    • Support
    • Toro Supplies
    DuraLabel Bronco

    DuraLabel Bronco

    Industrial, efficient
    • Support
    • Bronco Supplies
    DuraLabel Pro Series

    DuraLabel PRO 300

    Simple and reliable
    • Learn More
    • Pro Series Supplies
    Legacy Printers

    Legacy Printers

    Support and Supplies
    • Learn More
    • Shop All Supplies

    Quick Links

    All Printers

    Printer Kits

    Printer Supplies

    Printer Ribbons

    Accessories

    Printer Support

    Labeling Software

  • Safety Signs

    Compliance Signs

    • Chemical Signage
    • Confined Space Signs
    • Electrical Hazard Signs
    • Fire Signage
    • PPE Safety Signs
    • All Compliance Signs

    Facility Signs

    • Restricted Area Signs
    • Smoking Signs
    • Machinery Signs
    • Bathroom Signs
    • Clearance Signs
    • All Facility Signs

    Traffic Signs

    • Directional Signs
    • Exit Signs
    • Forklift Signs
    • Emergency Signs
    • All Traffic Signs

    Floor Signs

    • Blank Floor Signs
    • Exit Floor Signs
    • Fire Safety Floor Signs
    • First Aid Floor Signs
    • LOTO Floor Signs
    • All Floor Signs

    Related Resources

    PDF Icon EHS Manager's Guide
    PDF Icon OSHA Safety Signs Guide
    PDF Icon Labeling Your Facility for Safety
    PDF Icon Safety Labels vs. Signs
    SEE MORE
    Signs and Labels Banner
  • Floor Marking

    Floor Tape

    • 5S Floor Tape
    • Aisle Tape
    • Glow in the Dark Tape
    • Reflective Tape
    • Anti-Slip Tape
    • All Floor Tape

    Floor Signs

    • Blank Floor Signs
    • Exit Floor Signs
    • Fire Safety Floor Signs
    • First Aid Floor Signs
    • LOTO Floor Signs
    • All Floor Signs

    Floor Marking Shapes

    • Floor Marking Corners
    • Floor Marking T's
    • Floor Marking Footprints
    • Floor Marking Circles
    • Floor Marking Arrows
    • All Floor Marking Shapes

    Other

    • Discount Bundles
    • Floor Marking Accessories
    • Floor Laminate

    Lumen Projectors

    • Lumen Sign Projector
    • Lumen Line Projector
    • Lumen Accessories

    Related Resources

    PDF Icon Floor Marking Best Practices
    PDF Icon Floor Marking Color Chart
    PDF Icon What is Floor Marking?
    PDF Icon Floor Tape vs. Paint
    SEE MORE
    Floor Marking Banner
  • Pipe Markers

    Shop By Standard

    • ANSI A13.1 Pipe Markers
    • Ammonia (IIAR) Pipe Markers
    • Medical (NFPA 99) Pipe Markers
    • Marine (ISO 14726) Pipe Markers
    • European Pipe Markers
    • All Pipe Markers

    ANSI Pipe Markers

    • Fire Quenching
    • Flammable/Oxidizing
    • Toxic or Corrosive
    • Compressed Air
    • Various Water
    • All ANSI Pipe Markers

    Other

    • Pipe Marking Accessories
    • Valve Tags
    • Arrow Banding Tape

    Related Resources

    PDF Icon Pipe Marking Best Practices
    PDF Icon Facility Pipe Marking Guide
    PDF Icon Pipe Marking Basics
    PDF Icon Getting Started with Pipe Marking
    SEE MORE
    Pipe Marking Banner
  • COVID-19

    COVID-19 Solutions

    • Safety Signs
    • Printer Kits
    • Awareness Posters
    • A-Frame Signs
    • Sneeze Guards
    • All COVID-19 Solutions

    Social Distancing

    • Social Distancing Signs
    • Social Distancing Floor Signs
    • Social Distancing Floor Tape
    • All Social Distancing

    COVID-19 By Industry

    • Grocery & Retail
    • Medical & Healthcare
    • Office Settings
    • Restaurants & Food Service
    • Food Manufacturing
    • Construction
    • Manufacturing
    • Finance
    • Transportation
    • Education

    Related Resources

    Video Icon COVID-19 Safety At Work Webinar
    PDF Icon Social Distancing Reference Chart
    SEE MORE
    COVID Banner
  • Resources
  • Help
  • Free Samples
  • Quick Order
    Enter item SKU# and quantity
Graphic Products
  • My Account
  • Printers & Supplies
  • Safety Signs
  • Floor Tape
  • Pipe Markers
  • COVID-19
  • Resources
  • Help
  • Free Samples
  • Quick Order
  • Favorites
  • Contact Us
  • Back
  • MY ACCOUNT
  • Account
  • Orders
  • Track My Order
  • Addresses
  • Login & Security
  • Payment Methods
  • Carrier Accounts
  • Favorites Lists
  • Sign Out
  • Back
  • SIGN IN
  • No Account? Sign up
    Forgot password?
  • Back
  • Quick Order
Enter item SKU# and quantity
  • Back
  • Printers & Supplies
  • DuraLabel Toro Max
  • DuraLabel Bronco Max
  • DuraLabel Toro
  • DuraLabel Bronco
  • DuraLabel Kodiak
  • DuraLabel Lobo
  • DuraLabel PRO 300
  • Shop All Printers
  • Shop All Supplies
  • Shop All Ribbons
  • Labeling Software
  • Back
  • DuraLabel Toro Max
  • Toro Max Printer
  • Toro Max Supplies
  • Toro Max Ribbon
  • Toro Max Accessories
  • Toro Max Bundles and Kits
  • Toro Max Support
  • Shop All Printers
  • Shop All Supplies
  • Shop All Ribbons
  • Labeling Software
  • Back
  • DuraLabel Bronco Max
  • Bronco Max Printer
  • Bronco Max Supplies
  • Bronco Max Ribbon
  • Bronco Max Accessories
  • Shop All Printers
  • Shop All Supplies
  • Shop All Ribbons
  • Labeling Software
  • Back
  • DuraLabel Toro
  • Toro Supplies
  • Toro Ribbon
  • Toro Accessories
  • Toro Support
  • Shop All Printers
  • Shop All Supplies
  • Shop All Ribbons
  • Labeling Software
  • Back
  • DuraLabel Bronco
  • Bronco Supplies
  • Bronco Ribbon
  • Bronco Accessories
  • Bronco Support
  • Shop All Printers
  • Shop All Supplies
  • Shop All Ribbons
  • Labeling Software
  • Back
  • DuraLabel Kodiak
  • Kodiak Printer
  • Kodiak Supplies
  • Kodiak Ribbon
  • Kodiak Accessories
  • Kodiak Bundles and Kits
  • Kodiak Support
  • Shop All Printers
  • Shop All Supplies
  • Shop All Ribbons
  • Labeling Software
  • Back
  • DuraLabel Lobo
  • Lobo Printer
  • Lobo Supplies
  • Lobo Ribbon
  • Lobo Accessories
  • Lobo Support
  • Shop All Printers
  • Shop All Supplies
  • Shop All Ribbons
  • Labeling Software
  • Back
  • DuraLabel PRO 300
  • DLP 300 Printer
  • DLP 300 Supplies
  • DLP 300 Ribbon
  • DLP 300 Accessories
  • DLP 300 Bundles and Kits
  • DLP 300 Support
  • Shop All Printers
  • Shop All Supplies
  • Shop All Ribbons
  • Labeling Software
  • Back
  • Safety Signs
  • Compliance Signs
  • Facility Signs
  • Traffic Signs
  • Floor Signs
  • Shop All Safety Signs
  • Back
  • Compliance Signs
  • Chemical Signage
  • Confined Space Signs
  • Electrical Hazard Signs
  • Fire Signage
  • PPE Safety Signs
  • All Compliance Signs
  • Back
  • Facility Signs
  • Restricted Area Signs
  • Smoking Signs
  • Machinery Signs
  • Bathroom Signs
  • All Facility Signs
  • Back
  • Traffic Signs
  • Directional Signs
  • Exit Signs
  • Emergency Signs
  • Forklift Signs
  • All Traffic Signs
  • Back
  • Floor Signs
  • Blank Floor Signs
  • Exit Floor Signs
  • Fire Safety Floor Signs
  • First Aid Floor Signs
  • LOTO Floor Signs
  • All Floor Signs
  • Back
  • Floor Tape
  • General Floor Tape
  • Floor Signs
  • Floor Marking Shapes
  • Other
  • Shop All Floor Tape
  • Back
  • Floor Tape
  • 5S Floor Tape
  • Aisle Tape
  • Glow in the Dark Tape
  • Reflective Tape
  • Anti-Slip Tape
  • All Floor Tape
  • Back
  • Floor Signs
  • Blank Floor Signs
  • Exit Floor Signs
  • Fire Safety Floor Signs
  • First Aid Floor Signs
  • LOTO Floor Signs
  • All Floor Signs
  • All Floor Signs
  • Back
  • Floor Marking Shapes
  • Floor Marking Corners
  • Floor Marking T's
  • Floor Marking Footprints
  • Floor Marking Circles
  • Floor Marking Arrows
  • All Floor Marking Shapes
  • Back
  • Other
  • Discount Bundles
  • Floor Marking Accessories
  • Floor Laminate
  • Lumen Projectors
  • Back
  • Pipe Markers
  • Shop By Standard
  • ANSI Pipe Markers
  • Other
  • Shop All Pipe Markers
  • Back
  • Shop By Standard
  • Standard (ANSI A13.1) Pipe Markers
  • Ammonia (IIAR) Pipe Markers
  • Medical (NFPA 99) Pipe Markers
  • Marine (ISO 14726) Pipe Markers
  • European Pipe Markers
  • All Pipe Markers
  • Back
  • ANSI Pipe Markers
  • Fire Quenching
  • Flammable/Oxidizing
  • Toxic or Corrosive
  • Compressed Air
  • Various Water
  • All ANSI Pipe Markers
  • Back
  • Other
  • Pipe Marking Accessories
  • Valve Tags
  • Arrow Banding Tape
  • Back
  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Solutions
  • Social Distancing
  • COVID-19 By Industry
  • Shop All COVID-19 Solutions
  • Back
  • COVID-19 Solutions
  • Safety Signs
  • Printer Kits
  • Awareness Posters
  • A-Frame Signs
  • Sneeze Guards
  • All COVID-19 Solutions
  • Back
  • Social Distancing
  • Social Distancing Signs
  • Social Distancing Floor Signs
  • Social Distancing Floor Tape
  • All Social Distancing
  • Back
  • COVID-19 By Industry
  • Grocery & Retail
  • Medical & Healthcare
  • Office Settings
  • Restaurants & Food Service
  • Food Manufacturing
  • Construction
  • Manufacturing
  • Finance
  • Transportation
  • Education
  • Home
  • Resources
  • Articles
  • Hazard Pictograms

Hazard Pictograms

BY GRAPHIC PRODUCTS STAFF

minute read

What are Hazard Pictograms?

Hazard pictograms are graphic symbols used on GHS labels to communicate information about the hazards of a chemical. Hazard pictograms may be referred to by other names, such as:

  • GHS Hazard Pictograms
  • GHS Pictograms
  • HCS Hazard Pictograms
  • OSHA Pictograms
  • Hazard Communication Pictograms
  • CLP Pictograms (in the European Union)

However, each of these names refers to the same thing – a symbol used on a GHS label to identify hazards.

OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS, or HazCom 2012) defines nine hazard pictograms, one of which is optional. By specifying standard hazard pictograms the HCS ensures consistency in the labeling of all chemicals, eliminating confusion and making the labels easier to understand.

OSHA's Requirements

OSHA requires that labels be used to inform workers about chemical hazards, and that those labels include hazard pictograms. The hazard pictograms quickly and accurately alert users to the types of hazards resulting from exposure to the chemical.

Labels, as defined in the HCS, are “written, printed or graphic informational elements concerning a hazardous chemical that are affixed to, printed on, or attached to the immediate container of a hazardous chemical, or to the outside packaging.”

There are two types of labeling requirements, one for companies that sell chemicals to others, and simpler requirements for in-house labeling of containers that never leave a facility.

Chemical manufacturers, importers, and distributors are required by OSHA to ensure that every shipment of a container holding a hazardous chemical be labeled, tagged, or marked with the following information:

  • Name, address, and telephone number of the importer, manufacturer, or distributor.
  • A Product Identifier (for example, chemical name, code number, or batch number).
  • A Signal Word indicating the relative level of severity of the hazard.
  • Hazard Statement(s). These are standard statements that describe the nature of the hazards.
  • Precautionary Statement(s). These are standard measures that are used to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to the chemical.
  • Pictogram(s).

Labels must be legible, be in English, and they must be of a size and in a location such that they are easy to see. Labels may contain text in other languages, in addition to English.

GHS Requirements

For hazardous chemical containers shipped by an importer, manufacturer, or distributor, the pictograms are required to consist of a red diamond (a square on a point) containing a black hazard pictogram on a white background. The hazard pictogram must be sufficiently large so as to be clearly visible. A red diamond by itself (an empty red diamond) is not a hazard symbol and may not be included on the label.

There are nine hazard pictograms defined in the GHS Purple Book. OSHA has adopted eight of these. OSHA does not require the use of the environmental pictogram, but this pictogram may be used to provide supplementary information.

The symbols used in the GHS hazard pictograms should already be familiar to most chemical users, as they are the same symbols used for transportation.

Hazard Pictograms and the DOT

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that chemical containers such as drums, totes, tanks, or other types of containers, have external markings that conform with the requirements of 49 CFR 172, Subpart E. The GHS hazard pictograms do not replace these diamond-shaped labels, but are used in addition to the DOT required pictograms. This may cause some confusion because OSHA 1910.1200 Appendix C.2.3.3 states: “Where a pictogram required by the Department of Transportation under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations appears on a shipped container, the pictogram specified in C.4 for the same hazard shall not appear.” 

“C.4” provides the specifications for the OSHA HCS hazard pictograms.

The problem is that some international shipments must have both the GHS hazard pictograms and the DOT hazard pictograms on the container because the destination country requires a GHS label. Because of this conflict, OSHA is planning to revise C.2.3.3. and is not enforcing the current standard.

The DOT diamond label is required on the outside of shipping containers; however, OSHA also requires that smaller containers, inside the larger shipping container, have the appropriate GHS hazard pictograms.

Hazard Pictograms - Workplace Labels

There are some differences in hazard pictogram requirements when the labeling is being done in-house, for use solely within a single facility. Containers that do not leave the workplace may use GHS labels similar to the importer/manufacturer supplied GHS labels. However, they may also use simpler labels, that have just the product identifier, and words, pictures and symbols which, in combination with other information that is readily available to employees (such as the Safety Data Sheets), to provide the needed information about the hazards of the chemical.

If the employer chooses to use GHS type labels, or use the GHS hazard pictograms on signs or labels on workplace containers, the pictograms may have a black border, rather than a red border.

A third labeling option is available if an employer has been using an in-house system of labeling that meets the requirements of HazCom 1994. The employer may continue to use this existing labeling system, if it provides employees with the necessary information about the hazards of the chemical. The workplace “labeling” system may use signs, placards, process sheets, batch tickets, operating procedures, or other types of materials to identify and communicate information about hazardous chemicals. The key requirement is that employees have the information they need concerning the hazards of the chemicals in their workplace.

Employers may also use other symbols on labels, such as instructional pictograms, in addition to the eight GHS hazard pictograms specified by OSHA. An example of an instructional pictogram would be a pictogram of a person wearing goggles. This informs employees that goggles must be worn while handling or using the chemical. What is important is that:

  • A standard for pictograms must be established and followed within the workplace.
  • Workplace pictograms do not cause confusion or conflict with the GHS pictograms.
  • Employees must be trained to recognize all of the pictograms that might be used.
Best Practice Guide to HazCom 2012 Labeling
This free HazCom training program will help you and your team get up to speed!

NFPA Diamond vs. Hazard Pictograms

The NFPA diamond or color bars may be included on workplace labels, or employers may use NFPA diamond or color bar labels, provided the labels meet all of the requirements of the OSHA HCS. This includes ensuring employees have the information they need about chemical's hazards. This information may be provided either on the label, or by other means. The requirement is for employees to be fully informed about, and protected from the hazards associated with chemicals, without regard to how that information is communicated.

When are Hazard Pictograms Not Required?

Finally, there is one condition when a container holding a hazardous chemical does not need to be labeled. If a hazardous chemical is transferred from a labeled container to a portable container that will be used immediately by the employee who did the transfer, no label is required for the portable container.

Related Resources

GHS Label Information

GHS Labeling

Understand what should be included on a GHS label with an overview of appendix C to OSHA's HazCom 2012 rules.

Read
OSHA Rules for Hazardous Chemicals

OSHA Rules for Hazardous Chemicals

Learn how OSHA regulates chemicals in the workplace, and which specific materials have their own special rules

Read
HazCom 2012 Labeling

HazCom 2012 Guide

Get an overview of OSHA's chemical labeling rules, elements of a HazCom 2012 label, and how to meet requirements.

Download
  • This free HazCom training program will help you and your team get up to speed!
Get the latest deals straight to your inbox
Trusted by These Companies
Starbucks
GM
Du Pont
Amazon
Disney
3M
Pepsi
NASA
Chevron
AT&T
Toyota
Coca-Cola
UPS
Target
  • Graphic Products, Inc.
    9825 SW Sunshine Ct
    Beaverton, OR
    97005 USA

  • Business Hours:
    Monday - Friday
    5:30am - 5pm Pacific

  • 1-888-326-9244 (U.S./Canada)
  • +1-503-644-5572 (International)
  • Products
  • Printers
  • Printer Supplies
  • Safety Signs
  • Safety Labels
  • Floor Marking
  • Pipe Markers & Tags
  • Support
  • Shipping & Returns
  • Manage Account
  • Printer Support
  • Warranties
  • Content Usage Guidelines
  • Resources
  • Resource Center
  • Guides
  • Articles
  • Video Library
  • Safety Blog
  • Infographics
  • Webinars
  • Company
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Become a Dealer
  • Find a Dealer
  • Press Room

Need Help?

Give us a call at 1-888-326-9244 and speak with an expert.

Customer Reviews
  • Copyright © 2023
  • All Rights Reserved
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Shipping and Returns
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Data