Chemical Substance Safety Management

GHS Makes It Possible to Recognize Hazards Just by Looking at the Pictures

GHS (Globally Harmonized System) is a system that unifies the classification and labeling of chemical substances worldwide. It is dangerous to handle imported chemical substances when the labels differ by country.

Korea has adopted GHS under the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Chemical Substance Control Act.

9 Pictograms

A black image is placed inside a red diamond border.

> Skull ☠️ and exclamation mark ❗ both indicate toxicity, but their intensity differs. If a skull is present, it is lethal even in small amounts.

Signal Words — "Danger" vs "Warning"

• Danger: More severe level
• Warning: Relatively less severe level

Even if something is flammable, if the flash point is low, it is labeled "Danger," and if high, "Warning" is used.

6 Mandatory Elements on the Warning Label

1. Name (Product name)
2. Pictogram (Graphic symbol)
3. Signal word (Danger / Warning)
4. Hazard statement (H-code, e.g., H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapor)
5. Precautionary statement (P-code, e.g., P210 Keep away from heat/sparks)
6. Supplier information (Manufacturer/importer, contact details)

Labels Are Also Required on Small Containers

When transferring from a drum to a smaller container, you must also attach a warning label to that container. Many accidents occur due to not following this rule.

> Putting syrup in a PET bottle is absolutely prohibited. There have been repeated incidents of death due to mistaken consumption as beverages.

On-site Check List

• Is a warning label attached to the container of the chemical substances I use?
• Do I know how many pictograms there are and what each means?
• Is the signal word "Danger" or "Warning"?
• Have I attached a label to the small container?
• Is the MSDS posted or available in the workplace (legal obligation)