Signage and labels are a key component of workplace safety, particularly for businesses dealing with dangerous goods.
Whether you’re storing, manufacturing, transporting, or handling hazardous materials, proper signage ensures clear communication and helps maintain a safe environment.
GHS is short for Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling (“GHS”). GHS is a globally agreed way to classify chemicals and associated hazards and communicate them via relevant labels and safety data sheets.
The GHS 7 standard applies from 1 January 2023 in Australia.
From the start date manufacturers and importers can only use GHS to classify, label and prepare SDS for hazardous chemicals. For suppliers from the start date you must supply hazardous chemicals to a workplace that are labelled in accordance with GHS 7.
There are detailed labelling requirement dependant upon items and usage which need to be satisfied.
In several instances, the rules concerning Australian Dangerous Goods may overlap. Accordingly, the following rules apply for the use of hazard pictograms on a label:
− where a transport of dangerous goods class label (pictogram) is required on the container to meet transport regulations, the equivalent hazard pictogram, as specified in the GHS, should not appear
− if the skull and crossbones hazard pictogram applies, the exclamation mark hazard pictogram should not appear
− if the corrosive hazard pictogram applies, the exclamation mark hazard pictogram should not appear if it is used to communicate skin or eye irritation
− if the health hazard pictogram appears for respiratory sensitisation, the exclamation mark hazard pictogram should not appear if it is used to communicate skin sensitisation, or for skin or eye irritation.
From a labelling perspective the following pictograms are applicable with the relevant description: