The 9 COSHH Hazard Symbols (Meanings And What They Look Like)

Explosives

These are chemicals and preparations that explode. This is a straight replacement for the previous explosive classification. The symbol is a pictogram of an exploding bomb.

Meanings:

• Unstable explosive
• Explosive; mass explosion hazard.
• Explosive; severe projection hazard.
• Explosive; fire, blast or projection hazard.
• May mass explode in fire.

Replaces:

Flammable

Chemicals that may catch fire in contact with air, only need brief contact with an ignition source, have a very low flash point or evolve highly flammable gases in contact with water. It replaces the old classifications of highly flammable and extremely flammable. The symbol is a flame.

Meanings:

• Extremely flammable gas.
• Flammable gas.
• Extremely flammable aerosol.
• Flammable aerosol.
• Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
• Flammable liquid and vapour.
• Flammable solid .

Replaces:

Oxidising

A classification for chemicals and preparations that react exothermically with other chemicals. Replaces the previous symbol for oxidising. The symbol is a flame over a circle.

Meanings:

• May cause or intensify fire; oxidiser.
• May cause fire or explosion; strong oxidiser.
• Usually found on bleach, oxygen for medical purposes etc.

Replaces:

Gas under pressure

Gas stored under pressure, such as in gas containers. This is a new symbol that wasn't represented under the old classification system. The symbol is a gas cylinder.

Meanings:

• Contains gas under pressure - may explode if heated.
• Contains refrigerated gas - may cause cryogenic burns or injury.
• Usually found on gas containers.

Corrosive

Chemicals that may destroy living tissue on contact. Matches the previous symbol for corrosion, the pictogram shows corrosion of material and skin.

Meanings:

• May be corrosive to metals.
• Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
• Usually found on drain cleaners, acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, ammoniac etc.

Replaces:

Toxic

Chemicals that at low and very low levels cause damage to health. Replacing the old classifications of toxic and very toxic. The symbol is a skull and crossbones.

Meanings:

• Fatal if swallowed.
• Fatal in contact with skin.
• Fatal if inhaled.
• Toxic: if swallowed.
• Toxic in contact with skin.
• Toxic if inhaled.

Replaces:

Health Hazard

Chemicals that may cause damage to health. Also known to mean caution. This is the closest replacement to the previous harmful and irritant classifications. The symbol is an exclamation mark.

Meanings:

• May cause respiratory irritation.
• May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
• May cause an allergic skin reaction.
• Causes serious eye irritation.
• Causes skin irritation.
• Harmful if swallowed.
• Harmful in contact with skin.
• Harmful if inhaled.
• Harms public health and the environment by destroying ozone in the upper atmosphere.

Replaces:

Serious Health Hazard

Also known to mean long term health hazards. These are chemicals that can cause serious and long term damage to health. The symbol shows a person with damage.

Meanings:

• May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.
• Causes damage to organs.
• May cause damage to organs.
• May damage fertility or the unborn child.
• Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child.
• May cause cancer.
• Suspected of causing cancer.
• May cause genetic defects.
• Suspected of causing genetic defects.
• May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled.

Replaces:

Dangerous for the environment

Chemicals that may present an immediate or delayed danger to one or more components of the environment. The symbol is of a dead tree and fish.

Meanings:

• Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
• Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
• Usually found on pesticides, biocides, petrol, turpentine etc.

Replaces: