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ghs hazard stickers

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GHS hazard stickers and OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard

GHS hazard stickers (often called pictogram labels) are a core part of hazard communication in workplaces that use or store hazardous chemicals. Under OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom), 29 CFR 1910.1200, employers must ensure that chemical hazards are properly identified and communicated to employees through labels, Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), and training.

GHS—short for the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals—standardizes the way hazards are classified and displayed. In practice, that means using consistent signal words, hazard statements, precautionary statements, and the familiar red-diamond pictograms found on GHS pictogram stickers.

For operations buying secondary container labels, warehouse chemical stickers, or drum labels, the key is alignment: GHS aligned labels must match both the chemical’s hazard classification and the SDS. That alignment is where many facilities run into problems—especially when chemicals are transferred, relabeled, or inventories change.

What OSHA requires for labels (and where stickers fit)

OSHA HazCom (29 CFR 1910.1200(f)) requires that shipped containers of hazardous chemicals be labeled by manufacturers/importers with specific elements. Employers must also ensure containers in the workplace remain labeled, and that employees have immediate access to hazard information.

Shipped container labels vs. workplace labels

  • Shipped container labels: Provided by the manufacturer or distributor and must include required GHS label elements.
  • Workplace labels (secondary containers): Applied by the employer when chemicals are transferred to another container (spray bottles, small jars, process tanks) or when original labels degrade.

This is where ghs hazard stickers become practical: they’re a durable, standardized way to maintain labeling when the original label is missing, damaged, or a chemical is dispensed into a new container.

Minimum information for workplace labels

Under 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(6), workplace labeling systems must, at minimum, provide employees with:

  • The product identifier (name/number that matches the SDS)
  • General hazard information (which may be words, pictures, symbols, or a combination)

Many employers choose to use GHS-aligned workplace labels (including pictograms) because they are intuitive, recognizable, and easier to standardize across departments.

If a sticker’s product identifier doesn’t match the SDS (or it uses outdated hazards), you can create confusion at the exact moment workers need clarity.

Understanding GHS pictograms: what pictogram labels communicate

Pictogram labels use standardized symbols to communicate the type of hazard quickly—especially valuable in fast-paced areas like production floors, maintenance shops, and labs.

While the SDS provides full details, GHS pictogram stickers act as a visual “front line” warning, prompting workers to review the SDS and follow precautions.

Common GHS pictograms you’ll see on hazard stickers

Depending on classification, labels may include pictograms such as:

  • Flame (flammables, self-reactives, organic peroxides)
  • Corrosion (skin corrosion/burns, eye damage, corrosive to metals)
  • Skull and crossbones (acute toxicity)
  • Exclamation mark (irritant, sensitizer, acute toxicity—harmful)
  • Health hazard (carcinogenicity, respiratory sensitization, reproductive toxicity)
  • Gas cylinder (gases under pressure)
  • Flame over circle (oxidizers)
  • Environment (aquatic toxicity—often used for GHS, not always required by OSHA)

Choosing the right sticker isn’t about “picking the closest match”—it must be based on the chemical’s classification and the SDS.

Why GHS aligned labels matter for compliance and safety

In the real world, labels fail for predictable reasons: chemical exposure, abrasion, sunlight, poor adhesive, or simply being covered with grime. Another frequent issue is mislabeling during transfers to secondary containers.

The most common labeling breakdowns in workplaces

  • Secondary containers that say only “solvent” or “cleaner” with no hazard information
  • Outdated stickers that don’t reflect updated SDS revisions
  • Multiple label styles across departments, creating inconsistent messaging
  • Labels printed too small to read or placed where they’re routinely scraped off
  • Product identifiers that don’t match what’s stored (or what’s in the SDS library)

From a HazCom standpoint, the goal is consistent, immediate recognition. GHS aligned labels help reduce interpretation errors and support a more uniform program.

Best practices for using GHS hazard stickers in your facility

A compliant labeling program isn’t just about buying stickers—it’s about implementing a system that stays accurate over time.

1) Standardize your label format

Decide whether your workplace labels will mirror shipped-container elements (often best practice) or use a simpler system that still meets 1910.1200(f)(6). Standardization should cover:

  • Product identifier format
  • Where pictograms appear
  • How hazard statements are displayed
  • Color, size, and durability requirements for different environments

2) Control secondary container labeling

Secondary containers are a common failure point because transfers happen quickly. Build a procedure that requires labels at the time of transfer.

  1. Verify the chemical and product identifier
  2. Confirm hazards from the current SDS
  3. Apply the correct ghs hazard stickers immediately
  4. Ensure the label is legible and durable for the container’s use

3) Audit labels and SDSs together

Labels and SDSs should be treated as a matched set. During inspections or internal audits:

  • Spot check that product identifiers match the SDS exactly
  • Confirm pictograms and hazard statements align to the SDS
  • Replace damaged or illegible stickers promptly
  • Verify employees can locate SDSs without delay

How SwiftSDS supports GHS labeling and HazCom programs

Even well-intentioned teams struggle with label/SDS misalignment when SDSs are scattered across binders, email threads, or shared drives. That’s where SwiftSDS helps make hazard communication easier to manage and easier to defend during audits.

With SwiftSDS, you can:

  • Maintain a centralized SDS library so your current SDS is the one employees and supervisors actually use
  • Support OSHA HazCom compliance (29 CFR 1910.1200) by improving SDS access, organization, and revision control
  • Strengthen GHS support by ensuring your hazard information remains consistent across SDSs and labeling practices
  • Track chemicals with chemical inventory management (locations, quantities, expiration dates), making it easier to validate what’s on the floor matches what’s documented
  • Enable mobile access so teams can verify SDS details at the point of use—before printing or applying pictogram labels

When your labeling program is tied to a reliable SDS management workflow, it’s much easier to keep GHS pictogram stickers accurate—especially across multiple sites or departments.

Buying guide: what to look for in GHS pictogram stickers

If you’re evaluating suppliers or considering printing in-house, focus on factors that impact durability and accuracy:

  • Chemical resistance (solvents, oils, cleaning agents)
  • Adhesive strength for plastics, metals, and curved surfaces
  • Temperature and UV resistance for outdoor storage or hot processes
  • Legibility (font size, contrast, smudge resistance)
  • Standardization across your facility (consistent format and placement)

Also ensure your internal process includes review against the SDS to keep your GHS aligned labels current.

Keep hazard communication inspection-ready

OSHA inspections and incident investigations often focus on whether employees were informed of hazards and whether chemical identity/hazards were clearly communicated. A strong HazCom program ties together:

  • Correct labels (including ghs hazard stickers where appropriate)
  • Accurate and accessible SDSs
  • Employee training on how to read labels and SDSs
  • Ongoing review as chemicals and processes change

If you want a more structured approach to SDS control and hazard communication documentation, see SDS management software and how it supports day-to-day compliance.

The best labeling program is one that stays accurate after the shift change, after the transfer, and after the next SDS update.

Call to action

Ready to reduce labeling confusion and strengthen your OSHA Hazard Communication Standard program? Centralize your SDSs, verify hazards faster, and keep labeling aligned with SwiftSDS. Request a demo and see how SwiftSDS can support your GHS workflow—from inventory to SDS access to day-to-day compliance.