Every container of hazardous chemicals in a US workplace must have a GHS-compliant label. Here's exactly what needs to be on it and how to get it right.
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard requires six elements on every shipped container of hazardous chemicals: product identifier, signal word, hazard statement(s), precautionary statement(s), supplier information, and pictogram(s). Missing any one of these can result in OSHA citations.
This is the chemical name or product name that matches what appears on the Safety Data Sheet. It must be consistent across the label and SDS so workers can cross-reference safety information quickly.
There are only two signal words in GHS: "Danger" for more severe hazards and "Warning" for less severe ones. Only one signal word appears on a label — if multiple hazards are present, the more severe signal word takes precedence. You never see both on the same label.
Each red-bordered diamond pictogram corresponds to specific hazard categories. A label may have multiple pictograms if the chemical has multiple hazards. However, priority rules apply — for example, if Skull and Crossbones (GHS06) appears, the Exclamation Mark (GHS07) should not appear for the same health endpoint. Learn more about each pictogram on our symbols pages.
Hazard statements (H-codes) describe the nature and degree of hazard. Precautionary statements (P-codes) describe recommended measures to minimize exposure and harm. These are standardized — you cannot rephrase them.
The name, address, and phone number of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or responsible party must appear on the label.
When chemicals are transferred to secondary containers, those containers must also be labeled — unless the chemical is used immediately by the person who transferred it. Secondary container labels must include the product identifier and the applicable hazard information.
GHS specifies minimum label and pictogram sizes based on container volume. Use our label size calculator to find the right dimensions for your containers.