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The Importance of Dangerous Goods Signs

Dangerous goods require clear and compliant signage. Understanding their role is crucial for workplace safety!

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Dangerous goods signage Australia

Understanding GHS

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:

explos
flamme
rondflam
bottle
acid_red
skull
exclam
silhouete
Aquatic-pollut-red

Outlined below is an overview of the Comparison of GHS hazard pictograms with their corresponding ADG class labels

Hazard pictogram

GHS Hazard classes/categories

Dangerous Goods class label (pictogram)

Dangerous Goods classes

explos

Unstable explosives

Self-reactive substances and mixtures Type A

Organic peroxides Type A

No corresponding class label

Goods too dangerous to be transported

explos

Explosives Divisions 1.1 to 1.6
(see Note 1)

Self-reactive substances and mixtures Type B
(see Note 2)

Organic peroxides Type B (see Note 2)

Explosives

flamme

Flammable gases, liquids and solids

Aerosols categories 1 and 2

Self-reactive substances and mixtures Types B – F (see Notes 2 and 3)

Pyrophoric liquids and solids

Self-heating substances and mixtures

Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases

Organic peroxides Types B – F
(see Notes 2 and 3)

Desensitised explosives

Flammable gases, liquids, solids

Substances liable to spontaneous combustion

Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases

Organic peroxides

rondflam

Oxidising gases

Oxidising liquids

Oxidising solids

Oxidising substances

bottle

Aerosols category 3 (see Note 4)

Gases under pressure

Non-toxic non-flammable gases

skull

Acute toxicity – categories 1, 2 and 3

Toxic gases

Toxic substances

exclam

Acute toxicity – category 4

Skin irritation – category 2

Eye irritation – category 2 and 2A 

Skin sensitisation

Hazardous to the ozone layer

No equivalent class label

No equivalent dangerous goods classes

silhouete

Carcinogenicity

Respiratory sensitisation

Reproductive toxicity – category 1 and 2 

Specific target organ toxicity

(single and repeated exposure)

Germ cell mutagenicity

Aspiration hazard

No equivalent class label

No equivalent dangerous goods classes

acid_red

Eye damage – category 1

Skin corrosion – category 1A to 1C

Corrosive to metal

ghs-table-7

Corrosive substances

Aquatic-pollut-red

Hazardous to the aquatic environment (acute and chronic) (see Note 5)

ghs-table-8

Environmentally hazardous substances marking

No equivalent hazard pictogram

No equivalent hazard (see Note 5)

ghs-table-9

Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles

No equivalent hazard pictogram

No equivalent hazard (see Note 5)

ghs-table-10

Infectious substances

No equivalent hazard pictogram

No equivalent hazard (see Note 5)

ghs-table-11

Radioactive material

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Dangerous goods labels

Understanding compliance for dangerous goods signage

When handling hazardous materials, following safety regulations is vital!

Dangerous goods signs and labels help you meet these requirements by clearly communicating risks.

Each class of dangerous goods, like flammable liquids or dangerous substances, needs specific signage to ensure everyone is aware of the potential dangers.

Whether you’re transporting or storing hazardous materials, the right signage helps reduce accidents. It also supports your efforts to stay compliant with both national and international standards.

Protect your workers, the public, and your business with high-quality dangerous good signs.

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Specialised signage for unique dangerous goods

Tailoring safety communication for uncommon hazardous materials

Some substances and goods don’t fit neatly into standard categories.

In these cases, it’s important to ensure that your signage reflects the specific risks and safety requirements associated with the materials you handle.

Understanding the unique dangers posed by less-common hazardous goods is crucial for workplace safety.

What are some examples of dangerous goods or hazardous materials that require signage?

Dangerous goods signage is crucial for ensuring safety in the workplace by clearly identifying hazardous materials and outlining the necessary precautions for handling and storage.

Explosives

Explosives

Explosives are among the most dangerous materials, requiring clear and highly visible signage.

Explosive hazard signs help workers and visitors stay aware of the risks.

They also help ensure proper handling and storage to avoid accidents and potential disasters.

Flammable gas

Flammable gas

Flammable gases pose serious fire hazards.

Proper signage alerts workers to the presence of these gases and outlines necessary precautions.

These may include fire response plans, helping to reduce the risk of ignition and accidents in the workplace.

Non-toxic & non-flammable gas

Non-toxic & non-flammable gas

Even non-toxic and non-flammable gases require proper labelling during storage and transport.

Signage prepares workers to respond effectively in the event of a gas leak.

Toxic gas

Toxic gas

Signsmart provides safety signs and labels that tell your workers and emergency personnel exactly how toxic gases need to be handled.

We offer exceptional customer service and fast turnaround times.

Flammable liquid

Flammable liquid

Open flames aren’t the only thing that can set flammable liquids like petroleum alight.

Ensure all your bases are covered with custom safety and warning signs that detail important information about flammable liquid.

Radioactive

Radioactive

Radioactive materials have highly specific handling procedures.

Safety signage and warning labels are essential to ensure radiation is handled correctly and safely in the event of a spill or leak.

Order dangerous goods signs and labels today

Does your business require custom dangerous goods signs and labels?

Ordering is easy – just pick up the phone and give us a call on (03) 9687 3050 or send us a message, and tell us what you need; we’ll do the rest.

Got something custom in mind? No worries – just let us know your requirements and we’ll create custom safety signage to meet your needs.

High-quality signs delivered to meet your deadline is why we’re the SMART choice!

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