Toolbox Talk: GHS Labels and Pictograms

Before you start

Bring two or three chemical containers from the site with different pictograms so the crew can read real labels.

Read this to your crew

Every chemical container that comes into this workplace has a label that tells you what is inside, how it can hurt you and how to protect yourself. Most people never read it.

Today we will learn to read a chemical label in under a minute.

Key points

Know the six parts. A shipped label has a product identifier, a signal word, hazard statements, pictograms, precautionary statements and the supplier's contact details.
Danger beats Warning. The signal word Danger is used for more severe hazards. Warning is used for less severe ones.
Read the pictograms. Each red-bordered diamond shows a type of hazard, such as flammable, corrosive, toxic or a health hazard like cancer or lung damage.
Label secondary containers. If you pour a chemical into a spray bottle or bucket, label it with the product name and its hazards.
Check the SDS for more. The label is the short version. The safety data sheet has the full details on PPE, first aid and spills.

Ask the crew

Which chemicals here carry the Danger signal word?
Where do we keep unlabeled spray bottles or buckets?
Where can you find the SDS for a product?

Picture this

A worker fills an unlabeled water bottle with a degreaser to use on a job. Later, a coworker grabs the bottle thinking it is water and takes a drink. A simple label would have prevented a trip to the emergency room.

Print this page to use the sign-in sheet, or skip the paper and record attendance digitally in SafetyIQ.

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Talk leader: ______________ Date: ______________ Site: ______________