The standard hazard pictograms represent various types of hazards classified mainly into three categories: physical hazards, health hazards, and environmental hazards. These pictograms are diamond-shaped with a red border and white background, each symbolizing a specific type of risk associated with chemicals.
Types of Hazards Represented by Standard Pictograms
Physical Hazards:
- Explosive (exploding bomb symbol): Chemicals that may explode due to flame, heat, or friction.
- Flammable (flame symbol): Substances that ignite easily when exposed to heat or flame.
- Oxidizing (flame over circle): Chemicals that release oxygen and can cause or intensify fire.
- Gas under pressure (gas cylinder): Gases stored under pressure which may explode if heated.
- Corrosive (corrosion symbol showing damage to skin and metal): Substances that cause skin burns, eye damage, or corrode metals
Health Hazards:
- Acute toxicity (skull and crossbones): Chemicals that can cause death or toxicity with short exposure.
- Harmful/Irritant (exclamation mark): Substances causing skin or eye irritation, sensitization, or narcotic effects.
- Serious health hazard (health hazard symbol): Chemicals that can cause carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, respiratory sensitization, or target organ toxicity.
- Corrosive also falls under health hazards due to its effects on skin and eyes
Environmental Hazards:
- Hazardous to the environment (dead tree and fish symbol): Chemicals harmful to aquatic life and ecosystems
These pictograms help users quickly identify the nature of the hazard posed by a chemical, enabling safer handling and compliance with safety regulations worldwide under systems like GHS (Globally Harmonized System) and OSHA standards
