The COSHH symbols and their meanings | iHASCO

Summary

The video explains various symbols used in the GHS and CLP regulations to identify chemical hazards. These symbols indicate explosive, flammable, oxidizing, and environmental risks, along with hazards like toxicity, corrosiveness, and health risks. It covers substances that pose acute or chronic threats to health and the environment, such as toxic chemicals (e.g., bleach, hydrogen sulfide), corrosive materials, carcinogens (e.g., diesel exhaust, benzene), and mutagens. The video highlights the importance of understanding these symbols to safely handle chemicals and protect health and the environment.

Takeaways

• 😀 The GHS and CLP regulations use symbols to indicate the hazards of chemicals.
• 🔥 Flammable symbols indicate that the substance is a flammable liquid, gas, solid, or aerosol.
• ⚡ Oxidizing symbols show that the substance contains an oxidizing gas, liquid, or solid.
• 💨 A gas under pressure symbol indicates the container holds compressed, liquefied, refrigerated, or dissolved gas.
• 🌍 Environmental hazard symbols warn of acute or chronic harm to the environment.
• ☠️ Toxic symbols indicate substances that are harmful when swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin.
• 💀 Very toxic substances can cause significant harm or even death from small exposures.
• 🧪 Corrosive symbols represent substances that are dangerous to both metals and human skin, causing burns or eye damage.
• 😷 Health hazard symbols indicate substances that can cause skin irritation, inflammation, or dermatitis.
• 🧬 Serious health hazard symbols warn of substances that pose breathing hazards or long-term health complications, including carcinogens and mutagens.

Q & A

What do the GHS and CLP regulations use to identify chemical hazards?

The GHS (Globally Harmonized System) and CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) regulations use various symbols to identify the hazards posed by different chemicals.

What does the explosive symbol indicate?

The explosive symbol indicates that the container holds a substance that is potentially unstable and could be explosive.

What does the flammable symbol mean?

The flammable symbol means that the container holds a substance that is a flammable liquid, gas, solid, or aerosol.

What is indicated by the oxidizing symbol?

The oxidizing symbol indicates that the container holds an oxidizing gas, liquid, or solid.

What does the 'gas under pressure' symbol represent?

The 'gas under pressure' symbol indicates that the container holds compressed, liquefied, refrigerated, or dissolved gas.

What is meant by the environmental hazard symbol?

The environmental hazard symbol means that the contents could pose an acute or chronic hazard to the environment.

What does the toxic symbol represent?

The toxic symbol warns that the contents are toxic when swallowed, breathed in, or absorbed through the skin, such as substances like bleach or pesticides.

What is the meaning of the very toxic symbol?

The very toxic symbol indicates that the substance can cause significant harm or even death, even with just a small amount entering the body. Examples include hydrogen sulfide, chlorine, and sodium cyanide.

What does the corrosive symbol indicate?

The corrosive symbol indicates that the substance is both a physical hazard and a health hazard. It is corrosive to metals and skin, and can cause serious burns and eye damage.

What health risks does the health hazard symbol represent?

The health hazard symbol represents substances that can irritate the eyes, cause skin irritation, inflammation, or dermatitis.

What does the serious health hazard symbol mean?

The serious health hazard symbol indicates that the substance can pose breathing hazards or cause long-term health complications, such as carcinogens, mutagens, or substances that alter DNA.