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Industrial Labeling > Safety

Read about the Seven Potentially Deadly Sins of Safety.

Label printers are used at address a variety of safety issues. For example, they can be used to make safety signs and provide hazard warning labels.

The following safety labels are commonly referred to as Right-To-Know labels.

Primary Container Labeling

The primary container is the one used by the manufacturer. The manufacturer of the chemical, the importer, or the chemical distributor must ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals leaving their facility is labeled with the following information:

• Identity of the hazardous chemical(s)
• Appropriate hazard warnings, including identifying the efects on target organs
• Name and address of the chemical manufacturer, importer or distributor

It is important that the hazard warning label communicate the physical and health hazards of the chemical, including target organ effects. Employees exposed to health hazards must be apprised of both changes in body functions, and the symptoms that may indicate those changes. Statements such as "Hazardous if Inhaled," "Caution," or "Danger," are precautionary statements and are appropriate hazard warnings. If, when inhaled, a chemical causes lung damage, then the appropriate warning is "lung damage," not the word inhalation.

Secondary Container Labeling

Most workplaces use the primary containers in which the chemicals were shipped to store chemicals and make them available for use. In some cases, however, they also use their own containers, such as: spray bottles, drums, and plastic jugs to store and use smaller quantities. These containers are referred to as "secondary" containers to distinguish them from the manufacturer's primary container. These containers may also be called "employer containers".

Generally, the employer must make sure that each secondary container of hazardous chemicals is labeled or marked with at least the following information:

• Identity of the hazardous chemical(s) in the container
• Appropriate hazard warnings

The chemical may be identified using its common or trade name, or by a chemical name.

The hazard warning is a brief statement of the hazardous effects of the chemical (“flammable,” “causes lung damage”). The hazard warning can be words, pictures, symbols or a combination of these. It needs to provide, at a minimum, general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals. Labels must be legible, and prominently displayed. There are no specific requirements for size or color, or any specified text.

Labels frequently contain other information, such as precautionary measures (“do not use near open flame”), but this information is provided voluntarily and is not required by OSHA.

Alternative Labeling Methods

OSHA's hazard communication standards recognize the use of alternative labeling systems such as the NFPA Diamond, the HMIS (Hazardous Materials Information System) and others. Alternate systems typically rely on numerical-alphabetical codes to communicate information about the hazards. OSHA has permitted these types of in-plant labeling systems to be used when an employer's overall HCS program is proven to be effective despite the potential absence of target organ information on container labels.

Employers using alternative labeling systems must ensure their employees are trained in how to read and interpret the coding system that is used.

Stationary Container Labeling

Stationary containers are permanently installed, non-moveable storage containers. A example of a stationary container would be a storage tank. The employer may use signs, placards, process sheets, batch tickets, operating procedures, or other written documentation instead of putting labels on individual stationary containers, as long as the alternative method identifies the containers to which it is applicable and communicates the information that is required for secondary containers. The written materials must be readily available to the employees in their work area during each work shift.

Portable Container Labeling

Portable containers are used to transfer hazardous chemicals from labeled containers. Portable containers are intended only for the immediate use of the employee who performs the transfer. The portable container is not required to labeled.

All labels or other forms of warning must be:

• Legible, and in English (other languages may also be used in addition to English)
• Information must be prominently displayed on the container, or readily available in the work area throughout each work shift

Labels are useless unless they accurately communicate the hazards of their associated chemicals. It's important to keep labels in good condition at all times. The employer must not remove or deface existing labels on incoming containers of hazardous chemicals, unless the container is immediately remarked with the required information.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This page is provided for general information purposes only. It is not intended as a complete or comprehensive list of hazardous material labeling requirements. You should ensure you are thoroughly familiar with OSHA labeling requirements, state requirements and local requirements--and that those requirements are correctly implemented.