GHS vs. NFPA Hazard IdentificationNumbering Systems are
Reversed!
GHS & NFPA Comparison
GHS : Higher Risk = Lower Number
1 – extremely hazardous2 – highly hazardous3 – hazardous4 – will be harmful5 – may be harmful
4 – extremely hazardous 3 – highly hazardous 2 – hazardous 1 – harmful 0 – no risk
NFPA : Higher Risk = Higher Number
NFPA Diamond
Health Hazard -4 – deadly3 – extreme danger2 – hazardous 1 – slightly hazardous0 – no hazard
Fire Hazard -4 – below 73 Fo
3 – below 100 Fo
2 – below 200 Fo
1 – above 200 Fo
0 – will not burn
Reactivity -4 – may detonate3 – may detonate with
shock and heat2 – violent chemical
change at high temps or pressures
1 – unstable if heated0 – stable
Specific Hazard –OXY – oxidizerACID – acidALK – alkalineCOR – corrosiveW – water reactive
– radiation hazard
NFPA Diamond
NOTE: For firefighters, so focus is on behavior at high temps – not necessarily lab work.
GHS Pictograms and Categories
•flammable•pyrophorics•self-heating•emits flammable gas•self-reactives and organic peroxidesTypes B, C, D, E, & F
•oxidizers • explosives• self-reactives and
organic peroxidesTypes A & B
GHS Pictograms and Categories
•irritant (skin & eye)•skin sensitizer•acute toxicity (harmful)•narcotic effects•respiratory tract irritant•hazardous to ozone layer
•acute toxicity (fatal or harmful)
• carcinogens• mutagenicity• reproductive toxicity• respiratory sensitizer• target organ toxicity• aspiration toxicity
GHS Pictograms and Categories
•corrosive to skin•corrosive to metals•may cause eye damage
•gas under pressure • aquatic toxicity
More Info on GHS Categories
Sigma Aldrich Summary of the GHS System of Labeling
OSHA Health Hazard Criteria
OSHA Physical Hazard Criteria