 By Sheryl Hoffmann, Laboratory Manager Concordia College, SA

The GHS is an acronym for The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. The GHS is a single internationally agreed system of classification and labelling of chemicals, which was developed under the auspices of the United Nations. The GHS includes harmonised criteria for: the classification of physical hazards (such as flammability), health hazards (such as carcinogenicity) and environmental hazards

In Australia, GHS is being introduced as part of the national harmonised Work Health & Safety legislation Commenced on 1 st Jan 2012 in NSW, Qld, ACT, Commonwealth, & NT jurisdictions Will start in Tas on 1 st Jan 2013 SA, Vic & WA are yet to pass the legislation

Work Health and Safety Act, 2011 Work Health and Safety Regulations – Chapter 7: Hazardous Chemicals Code of Practices  Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals  Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals  Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace (draft)

 Physical Hazards  Health Hazards  Environmental Hazards

 Explosives  Flammable Gases  Flammable Aerosols  Oxidizing Gases  Gases Under Pressure  Flammable Liquids  Flammable Solids  Self-Reactive Substances  Pyrophoric Liquids  Pyrophoric Solids  Self-Heating Substances  Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases  Oxidizing Liquids  Oxidizing Solids  Organic Peroxides  Corrosive to Metals

 Acute Toxicity  Skin Corrosion/Irritation  Serous Eye Damage/Eye Irritation  Respiratory or Skin Sensitization  Germ Cell Mutagenicity  Carcinogenicity  Reproductive Toxicology  Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Single Exposure  Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Repeated Exposure  Aspiration Toxicity

 Hazardous to the Aquatic Environment  Acute aquatic toxicity  Chronic aquatic toxicity  Bioaccumulation potential  Rapid degradability

Safety Data Sheets replace Material Safety Data Sheets

 Product Identifier (eg name)  Proper Shipping name & UN Number (if Dangerous Good)  The name, address & phone number of the Australian importer or manufacturer  Identity & proportions (if a mixture)  Signal Word eg Danger or Warning  Hazard Statement  Hazard Pictogram  Precautionary Statements (4 types)  Any other info eg first aid, emergency procedures  Expiry date of the chemical if applicable

 Prevention eg P210 Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. – No smoking.  Response eg P303 IF ON SKIN (or hair) Remove/Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water/shower.  Storage eg P403 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool.  Disposal eg P501 Dispose of contents/container to....

Explosive (Exploding bomb) Flammability (Flame) Gases under pressure (Gas cylinder)

Oxidising (Flame over circle) Chronic Health hazards (Health hazard) -includes carcinogens, reproductive toxins, mutagenic, specific target organ toxicity, and aspiration hazard

Corrosive (Corrosion) Acute toxicity (Skull and crossbones)

Certain health Hazards (Exclamation mark) (e.g. sensitisers) Environmental hazard (Environment)

Read label before use. Keep out of reach of children FLAMMABLE LIQUID, TOXIC N.O.S (Flammosol) UN 1992 Contains: Hydrocarbon solvent 95% Toxicole 5% DANGER Highly flammable liquid and vapour Toxic if swallowed Causes skin irritation IF ON SKIN (or hair): Take off contaminated clothing and wash before re-use. In case of fire: Use powder for extinction. Rinse skin using plenty of soap and water.Keep away from sparks and open flames. – No smoking. If skin irritation occurs: Get medical advice/attention.Keep container tightly closed. IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTRE or doctor/physician. Ground/bond container and receiving equipment. Rinse mouth.Use explosion-proof electrical equipment. Use only non-sparking tools. Take precautionary measures against static discharge. Store locked up in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool.Wear protective gloves and eye and face protection. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Dispose of contents/container in accordance with State regulations. Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product. Refer to the Safety Data Sheet before use. Madeup Chemical Company,,, My State. Telephone:

Flammosol Refer to the Safety Data Sheet before use. Madeup Chemical Company, 999 Chemical Street, Chemical Town, My State. Telephone:

Flammosol Highly flammable liquid and vapour Toxic if swallowed Causes skin irritation

 Labelling  Register  SDS

Person who is conducting a business or undertaking  Ensure that a hazardous chemical is correctly labelled if the chemical is manufactured at the workplace; or transferred or decanted from the chemical’s original container at the workplace. NB: Manufactured includes the activities of packing, repacking, formulating, blending, mixing, making, remaking and synthesising.

Original label on a consumer product is sufficient if it is reasonably foreseeable that the hazardous chemical will be used in the workplace only: o in a quantity that is consistent with consumer household use, and o in a way that is consistent with consumer household use, and o in a way that is incidental to the nature of the work carried out by a worker using the chemical

Creative Commons This copyright work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 Australia licence. To view a copy of this licence, visit In essence, you are free to copy, communicate and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes, as long as you attribute the work to Sheryl Hoffmann and abide by the other licence terms. Contact information: Sheryl Hoffmann Phone: Fax: