HAZARDOUS SYMBOLS & TERMINOLOGY

National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA)

RED

BLUE YELLOW

WHITE

NFPA Hazard Identification System

RED = FLAMMABILITYInflammable means the material will burn.

0 – Will not burn1 – Must be preheated to ignite.2 – Must be exposed to high

temperatures to burn3 – Liquids and solids that can

ignite under almost any temperature

4 - Materials that will rapidly or completely vaporize at atmospheric pressure and normal ambient temperature.

RED

BLUE YELLOW

WHITE

BLUE – HEALTH HAZARD

0 - Material that on exposure under fire conditions would offer no hazard beyond that of ordinary combustible material.

1 - Material that on exposure would cause irritation but only minor residual injury even if NO medical treatment was given.

2 - Material that on intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury even though prompt medical treatment was given.

3 - Material that on short exposure could cause serious temporary or residual injury even though prompt medical treatment was given.

4 - Material that on very short exposure could cause death or major residual injury even though prompt medical treatment was given.

RED

BLUE YELLOW

WHITE

RED

BLUE YELLOW

WHITE

YELLOW = REACTIVITY0 - Material that in itself is normally

stable1 - Material that in itself is normally

stable, but which can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures, or which may react with water.

2 - Material that readily undergoes violent chemical change at elevated temperatures and pressures or which reacts violently with water.

3 - Material that in itself is capable of detonation or explosive decomposition or reaction but requires a strong initiating source.

4 - Material that in itself is readily capable of detonation or of explosive decomposition or reaction at normal temperatures and pressures.

WHITE – PROTECTIVE GEARMaterial shows unusual reactivity with water

Material possesses oxidizing properties.

Material is an acid.

Material is a base

Material is corrosive

Material is radioactive

OX

ACID

ALK

COR

Other Symbols

BIOHAZARD

POISON

FLAMMABLE

Terminology

Carcinogen: A substance capable of causing cancer or cancerous growths in mammals.

Caustic: Strong alkaline substance which irritates the skin.

Corrosive: A chemical, (solid, liquid or gas), that can cause destructive damage to body tissues at the site of contact. It can cause severe burns to the skin and can "eat through" clothing, metal and other materials.

Terminology

Explosive: An unstable substance capable of rapid and violent energy release.

Flammable: Can be ignited at almost any temperature. Spontaneously react with oxides. Burns easily.

Irritant: Causes soreness or inflammation of the skin, eyes, mucous membranes or respiratory system.

Terminology Mutagen: A substance capable of causing

changes in the genetic material of a cell, which can be transmitted during cell division.

Oxidizer: An unstable chemical that can spontaneously react with flammables and releases oxygen.

Toxic: Agents or substances that upon ingestion (eating/drinking), absorption (touching) or inhalation (breathing into lungs) can cause death, disablement, or severe illness.

Volatile: Easily vaporized from the liquid or solid state.

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