Hazardous materials

(HAZMATs)

GHS
Abu Dhabi uses the Globally Harmonised System
of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
(GHS)
The UN brought together experts from different
countries to create the Globally Harmonized System
of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) to
minimise confusion over labels.
The aim of the GHS is to have, worldwide, the same:
criteria for classifying chemicals according to their health,
environmental and physical hazards; and
hazard communication requirements for labelling and
safety data sheets.

GHS
GHS uses:
Symbols & pictograms
Signal words, e.g. DANGER;
WARNING
Hazard statements, e.g. fatal if
swallowed
Precautionary statements (see next
slide)

Precautionary statements
Precautionary statements are also
required by the GHS to describe the
following:
Prevention
Response (in case of accident)
Storage
disposal

Precautionary statements
Prevention

Response

Storage

Disposal

Avoid
breathing
spray.
In case of
inadequate
ventilation
wear
respiratory
protection.

IF INHALED:
If breathing
is difficult,
remove to
fresh air and
keep at rest
in a position
comfortable
for
breathing.
If
experiencing
respiratory
symptoms
call a
POISON
CENTER or

Store away
from
children at
less than
30C.

Dispose of
unused
contents in
landfill
waste. Do
not pour
contents
down the
drain.

LD50 & LC50

What does LD50 mean?
LD stands for "Lethal Dose". LD50 is the amount of a
material, given all at once, which causes the death of
50% (one half) of a group of test animals. The LD50 is
one way to measure the short-term poisoning
potential (acute toxicity) of a material.

What does LC50 mean?

LC stands for "Lethal Concentration". LC values
usually refer to the concentration of a chemical in air
but in environmental studies it can also mean the
concentration of a chemical in water.
For inhalation experiments, the concentration of the
chemical in air that kills 50% of the test animals in a
given time (usually four hours) is the LC50 value.

Acute toxicity -Oral

Pictograms are
important in
labelling
HAZMATs

Corrosive

Harmful

Toxic; may be fatal

Unstable explosive

Extremely flammable

Gas under pressure; may explode

when heated

May cause breathing

problems

Toxic to the environment

GHS uses 5 categories to show

danger
ACUTE TOXICITY ORAL
Category 1

Category 2

Category 3

Category 4

Category 5
No
pictogram

Danger

Danger

Danger

Warning
Warning

Fatal if
swallowed

Fatal if
swallowed

Toxic if
swallowed

Harmful if
swallowed

May be
harmful if
swallowed

Code of Practice 15

Hazardous materials
management

CoP aims
Give practical advice to manage
HAZMATs
Drive improvement
Address deleterious impacts of
HAZMATs

Intent

Reduce environmental harm

Encourage efficient use of resources
Enhance OHS
Identify roles & responsibilities of
manufacturers, importers, suppliers,
employees, employers & community
re. HAZMATs
Introduce penalties for non-compliance

Environment, Health & Safety

Impact Assessment
EHSIA
Required prior to obtaining permit
IA must say how discharges will
comply with CoPs (air, water, land &
noise)
IA must describe plans for future
rehabilitation of site

HAZMATs Management
indicators
Class 1 health, safety, wellbeing
Class 1A general provisions for
HAZMATs management
Class 1B specific provisions for
HAZMATs management

Class 1A management
indicators
All HAZMATs to be classified according
to GHS

Manufacturers, Importers &

Suppliers of HAZMATs must:
prevent or minimise waste
have permits
classify & label all HAZMATs
Store, handle, transport and dispose of all
HAZMATs properly
prepare MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS
(MSDS)
http://avogadro.chem.iastate.edu/MSDS/methane.pdf

disclose ingredients to medics, Sector

regulators and EAD

Employers must:
label and maintain a register of all HAZMATs
carry out a risk assessment
ensure exposure standards are not exceeded
ensure routine health checks for employees
and make records available
Keep all relevant records
Make MSDS available to employees
Train employees & provide safety equipment

Employees must:
Comply with CoPs as much as
possible
Inform the employer where noncompliance is evident

EAD must:
Provide direction (GHS)
Ensure compliance with waste CoP
Establish lines of communication
regarding HAZMATs with concerned
parties and the community
Undertake inspections & audits
Penalise those who are noncompliant

1B Indicators
To be classified as:
Physical hazards, e.g. explosives;
flammable substances; corrosive
substances
Health hazards, e.g. carcinogenic,
mutagenic, toxic
Environmental hazards, e.g.
hazardous to aquatic environment

 Incidents involving HAZMATs must be

reported
Transporters of HAZMATs must
maintain written or e-records
EAD to develop an emergency
response

THE

END