GHS TERMINOLOGY

Here are some of the key terms in the GHS:

• Class: Describes the different hazards. For example, “Gases under Pressure” is an example of a class in the physical hazard group.
• Category: Describes the sub-sections of classes. For example, “Self-Reactive Chemicals” is a class in the physical hazard group that has seven categories. Each category has rules or criteria to determine which chemicals are assigned to that category.
• Hazard Statement: Describes each category of hazard. For example, the hazard statement for chemicals that meet the criteria for the class of Self-heating Chemicals, Category 1 is “Self-heating; may catch fire.” This hazard statement would appear on both the label and the SDS for such chemicals.
• Pictogram: Refers to the GHS symbol on the label and SDS. Note that not all categories have a symbol associated with them.
• SDS: Stands for safety data sheet; the equivalent of the Canadian term MSDS.
• Signal Word: Communicates the level of hazard on both the label and the SDS. The appropriate signal word—there are only two: Danger or Warning—is spelled out by the classification system. For example, the signal word for Self-heating Chemicals class, Category 1 is “Danger” while “Warning” is used for the less serious Category 2.

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