Investing in workplace safety and accident prevention for every business is part of business ethics and corporate social responsibility. However, prevention also makes sense financially, and several studies have concluded that each dollar used for prevention saves $2 to $3 in accident costs. But, of course, this is only the measurable financial impact, and the value of human lives cannot be described in dollars.
To avoid risks, construction workers must know they exist first. Even the most experienced personnel is at stake when hazards are hidden, be it the construction materials or the work mode. Training is also essential since workers must know how to deal with each threat; for example, a flammable material requires different precautions than a toxic material.
Hazardous materials are used in many industries, including construction. As a result, many governments have adopted the GHSCL, or Globally Harmonized System of Classification & Labelling of Chemicals, developed by the United Nations to label these materials.
How does the globally harmonized system work?
The GHS classifies hazards into three types and uses nine pictograms to label hazardous material containers. The GHS also standardized testing criteria and safety data sheets (SDS) to improve hazard communication worldwide. Before the GHS, companies had to meet different standards for each country, and compliance costs were much higher.
Depending on the properties of materials, the GHS classifies them into physical, health, and environmental hazards to be used by construction material suppliers India.
GHS Pictograms for Hazardous Material Labels
Pictograms provide a convenient way to label material containers since the hazards can be clarified immediately. Materials that pose several hazards can use more than one GHS pictogram.
Flammable
The single flame pictogram is used for all types of flammable substances and also for self-reactive and self-heating substances. This pictogram also covers pyrophoric substances or substances that catch fire instantly when exposed to oxygen. It also applies to substances that emit flammable vapors when exposed to water.
Oxidizing (flame over circle)
The flame-over circle pictogram is used for all oxidizing agents – solid, liquid, or gas.
Toxic (skull and crossbones)
The skull and crossbones pictogram indicates acute toxicity. It is used for dangerous substances when inhaled or touching the skin or mouth.
Corrosive
The corrosion pictogram is used for corrosive substances for metals or the skin and substances that can cause severe eye damage. This pictogram is also used for some explosives, flammable gases, self-reactive substances, and peroxides.
Explosive (exploding bomb)
This pictogram covers general explosives and several unstable substances, self-reactive materials, and organic peroxides.
Harmful (exclamation mark)
This pictogram is not for a specific hazard but for severe cases of other threats. For example, it is used for Category 4 toxic substances, where the lethal dose (LD50) is higher than those using the skull and crossbones pictogram (Categories 1 – 3). The exclamation mark pictogram is also used for some cases of skin irritation, eye irritation, and specific organ toxicity.
Environmental hazard
This pictogram shows a dead tree and fish, which applies to aquatic environment hazards and environmental toxicity.
Health hazard
This pictogram is used for all substances that can have adverse health effects besides physical harm. This includes respiratory issues, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, germ cell mutations, and damage to specific organs.
Compressed gas (gas cylinder)
The gas cylinder pictogram is used for compressed, liquefied, and dissolved gases.
Importance of Safety Data Sheets
The amount of information a pictogram can provide is limited, so the GHS also uses Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for substances. An SDS provides detailed information about a substance and describes precautions and safety measures. The Globally Harmonized System requires 16 specific headings for an SDS:
1) Identification
2) Hazard(s) identification
3) Composition/information on ingredients
4) First-aid measures
5) Fire-fighting measures
6) Accidental release measures
7) Handling and storage
8) Exposure controls/personal protection
9) Physical and chemical properties and safety characteristics
10) Stability and reactivity
11) Toxicological information
12) Ecological information
13) Disposal considerations
14) Transport information
15) Regulatory information
16) Other information
By following this format, suppliers can ensure that companies and their workers are fully informed about hazardous materials. An SDS complements pictograms with detailed information that cannot be condensed into a product label.
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