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GHS Hazard Class, Pictogram and Signal Word Reference Table

This table maps each GHS hazard class and category to its pictogram code and signal word. Use it to check a supplier label against an SDS, build training material, or classify rows in a chemical inventory.

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Hazard class	Category	Pictogram	Symbol	Signal word	Note
Explosives	Division 1.1 to 1.3	GHS01	Exploding bomb	Danger	Mass explosion, projection or fire hazards
Explosives	Division 1.4	GHS01	Exploding bomb	Warning	Minor explosion hazard
Flammable gases	1	GHS02	Flame	Danger	Extremely flammable gas
Flammable liquids	1 and 2	GHS02	Flame	Danger	Flash point below 23 C
Flammable liquids	3	GHS02	Flame	Warning	Flash point 23 C to 60 C
Flammable liquids	4	None	None	Warning	Combustible liquid, no pictogram under GHS
Flammable solids	1	GHS02	Flame	Danger
Flammable solids	2	GHS02	Flame	Warning
Pyrophoric liquids	1	GHS02	Flame	Danger	Ignites spontaneously in air
Substances that emit flammable gas with water	1 and 2	GHS02	Flame	Danger	Water reactive
Oxidizing liquids and solids	1 and 2	GHS03	Flame over circle	Danger
Oxidizing liquids and solids	3	GHS03	Flame over circle	Warning
Oxidizing gases	1	GHS03	Flame over circle	Danger
Gases under pressure	Compressed, liquefied, dissolved	GHS04	Gas cylinder	Warning	May explode if heated
Gases under pressure	Refrigerated liquefied	GHS04	Gas cylinder	Warning	May cause cryogenic burns
Corrosive to metals	1	GHS05	Corrosion	Warning
Skin corrosion or burns	1A, 1B, 1C	GHS05	Corrosion	Danger
Serious eye damage	1	GHS05	Corrosion	Danger
Acute toxicity, oral, dermal, inhalation	1, 2 and 3	GHS06	Skull and crossbones	Danger	Fatal or toxic
Acute toxicity, oral, dermal, inhalation	4	GHS07	Exclamation mark	Warning	Harmful
Skin irritation	2	GHS07	Exclamation mark	Warning
Eye irritation	2A	GHS07	Exclamation mark	Warning
Skin sensitization	1, 1A, 1B	GHS07	Exclamation mark	Warning
Respiratory sensitization	1, 1A, 1B	GHS08	Health hazard	Danger
Germ cell mutagenicity	1A, 1B	GHS08	Health hazard	Danger
Carcinogenicity	1A, 1B	GHS08	Health hazard	Danger
Carcinogenicity	2	GHS08	Health hazard	Warning	Suspected carcinogen
Reproductive toxicity	1A, 1B	GHS08	Health hazard	Danger
Reproductive toxicity	2	GHS08	Health hazard	Warning
Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure	1	GHS08	Health hazard	Danger
Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure	2	GHS08	Health hazard	Warning
Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure	3	GHS07	Exclamation mark	Warning	Respiratory irritation or narcotic effects
Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure	1	GHS08	Health hazard	Danger
Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure	2	GHS08	Health hazard	Warning
Aspiration hazard	1	GHS08	Health hazard	Danger
Hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute	1	GHS09	Environment	Warning	Not enforced by OSHA HazCom, but used in other regimes

Summary of the common GHS scheme for quick checks. Always confirm against the current SDS Section 2 and your regulator's version (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200, EU CLP, and others differ in adopted categories).

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How to use the table

Type a hazard class, a pictogram code such as GHS06, or a signal word into the search box to filter the rows. Compare the result to Section 2 of the safety data sheet and to the label on the container. If the label shows a different pictogram than this table suggests, check whether the product carries several hazard classes, because one pictogram can cover more than one class and a higher-priority symbol can replace a lower one.

The rules behind pictograms and signal words

GHS uses nine pictograms. The signal word is Danger for the more severe categories and Warning for the less severe, and a label carries only one signal word. Precedence rules reduce clutter: for example the skull and crossbones replaces the exclamation mark for acute toxicity, and the corrosion symbol replaces the exclamation mark for skin and eye irritation. The environmental pictogram is not mandatory under OSHA HazCom.

Danger always outranks Warning on a single label
Skull and crossbones takes precedence over exclamation mark
Corrosion takes precedence over exclamation mark for skin or eye effects
Health hazard (GHS08) is for chronic and systemic effects, not acute poisoning
Category 4 flammable liquids carry a signal word but no pictogram

Common mistakes

The most frequent error is treating the exclamation mark as a catch-all and leaving out the health hazard symbol on carcinogens or sensitizers. Another is relying on an old NFPA diamond or HMIS rating in place of GHS labels on shipped containers. Those workplace systems can still be used internally but do not replace the supplier label. Finally, check that secondary containers are labeled with at least the product identifier and the hazard words or pictograms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which pictogram does OSHA require?

OSHA HazCom 2012 requires pictograms for eight of the nine symbols. The environmental pictogram (GHS09) is allowed but not mandatory. Each label must also show the product identifier, signal word, hazard statements, precautionary statements and supplier details.

Can a product have both Danger and Warning?

No. If any hazard class in the product warrants Danger, the label shows Danger only. Warning appears only when every applicable category is at the lower severity level.

Does GHS replace NFPA 704 diamonds?

No. NFPA 704 is a fire and emergency response marking for buildings and storage areas. GHS labels are for containers. Many sites use both, and they have different scales and purposes.

Is this table a legal classification?

No. It is a quick reference. Classification of a mixture depends on test data and cut-off values, and the supplier's SDS is the authoritative source for the product you have.

If your chemical inventory sits in an ERP item master, we can help you carry hazard class and pictogram data onto item records so it is searchable next to stock and purchasing.

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