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Safety Label System

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires a labeling system for hazardous chemicals. The labels should clearly state the dangers and safety precautions to take when handling the chemical. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 201 fatal chemical injuries in the U.S. in 2006.

  1. Features

    • OSHA requires that workplaces have a labeling system in place for hazardous chemicals. The labels should be part of a larger hazard communication plan, which includes material data safety sheets and training. OSHA does not require a specific label system, only that one be in place.

    Systems

    • The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) has a label system that was designed for fire protection agencies. However, it is a useful system for any business that handles hazardous chemicals, according to the University of Oregon. The Hazardous Material Information System (HMIS) is a similar system also in use.

    Labels

    • Both systems use a label with color-coded areas. Blue signifies health, red is flammability and yellow is the reactivity of the chemical. Each color is given a number from 1 to 4, with 1 meaning no hazard and 4 meaning extreme hazard. A white bar is used to indicate protective equipment needed.

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