GHS Pictograms and Transport Pictograms

Pictogram means a graphical composition that may include a symbol plus other graphic elements, such as a border, background pattern or colour that is intended to convey specific information. There are two sets of hazard pictograms: one for the labelling of containers and for workplace hazard warnings (GHS pictograms), and another for use during the transport of dangerous goods (transport pictograms). The two sets of pictograms use the same symbols for the same hazards, although certain symbols are not required for transport pictograms. Transport pictograms come in a wider variety of colours and may contain additional information such as a subcategory number.

The GHS hazard pictograms are intended to replace older systems of hazard pictograms, such as the European Union pictograms defined in the Dangerous Substances Directive or Canada's Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). Table 1 shows the symbol, the written name, and the hazards associated with pictograms.

For transport, the pictograms (commonly referred to as labels in transport regulations) prescribed by the UN Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods should be used. Dangerous goods are assigned to one of the nine classes according to the hazard or the most predominant hazards they present. Some of these classes are subdivided into divisions. Each hazard classes or divisions have corresponding labels. Labels identifying primary and subsidiary risks should conform to the pictograms illustrated in Table 2.

According to the UN GHS, EU CLP regulation, Chinese national standard GB 15258-2009 and US Hazard Communication Standard, where a transport pictogram appears on a label, a GHS pictogram for the same hazard should not appear. Besides, according to the Chinese national standard GB 15258-2009, when a GHS label is used together with the transport label, the transport label may be located on another side of the GHS label, separate from all other information. In this case, both the transport pictogram and GHS pictogram for the same hazard can be used on the package.

US OSHA recently published OSHA BRIEF DSG BR-3636 2/2013 on the Hazard Communication Standard: Labels and Pictograms. In the recent brief, OSHA announced its intent to make the change, allowing the use of both the pictogram and the hazmat label. Therefore, OSHA intends to revise C.2.3.3 of the hazard communication standard

Table 1. GHS Pictogram and Hazards

Excerpt of Table 2.

Please click here to download the full table.