The new international hazard symbols and warning

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New Hazardous Symbols

Traditional COSHH Symbols : Many of us will be familiar with the age old orange and black hazardous substance symbols - they have been around for years and are instantly recognisable to all. They are found on everything from basic cleaning products to acids and has been with us since 1967 when the Dangerous Substances Directive (67/548/EEC) was passed.

International symbols will replace the European symbols in 2009. Some of them are similar to the European symbols; however, there is no single word describing the hazard. The most noticeable feature is the change in the labelling symbols: instead of the hazard symbols with black printing on orange-yellow rectangles used to date, now nine hazard pictograms with black symbols on a white background with red-rimmed rhombuses are used to provide warnings

The new international hazard symbols and warning and precautionary phrases will eventually replace the old danger signs, risk and safety phrases. There will be a transitional period as phasing in gradually takes place. The changes have to be completed by Dec 2010 for substances and by December 2015 for preparations

The long transition period for the labelling systems (2009 - 2015) is intended to ensure that all of the relevant parties, public authorities, companies, stakeholders, etc., can concentrate their resources on the new obligations promptly.

New Hazardous Substances (COSHH) symbols

In order from top left to bottom right the symbols are:

•GHS09 Dangerous to the environment;

•GHS06 Toxic;

•GHS04 Gas under pressure;

•GHS05 Corrosive;

•GHS01 Explosive;

•GHS02 Flammable;

•GHS07 Caution - used for less serious health hazards like skin irritation;

•GHS07 Oxidising; and

•GHS08 Longer term health hazards such as carcinogenicity and respiratory sensitisation.

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