COSHH Symbols And Meanings

If you are working with chemicals that are hazardous to health, or completing COSHH risk assessments, you should be aware of the symbols that are included on the packaging of substances. These symbols give you a good indication of the main hazards associated with the substance.

The following symbols are the familiar orange and black COSHH symbols that have been around for years and relate only to the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2009 - known as CHIP.

These symbols are currently being phased out and will be replaced by new European Regulation on the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (known as CLP regulation) - the blog post on the new symbols and meanings can be found here.

Toxic

Chemicals that at low levels cause damage to health.

Very Toxic

Chemicals that at very low levels cause damage to health.

Harmful

Chemicals that may cause damage to health.

Irritant

Chemicals that may cause inflammation to the skin or other mucous membranes.

Highly 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.

Extremely Flammable

Chemicals that have an extremely low flash point and boiling point, and gases that catch fire in contact with air.

Explosive

Chemicals and preparations that explode.

Dangerous for the environment

Chemicals that may present an immediate or delayed danger to one or more components of the environment.

Oxidising

Chemicals and preparations that react exothermically with other chemicals.

Corrosive

Chemicals that may destroy living tissue on contact.

These symbols are being phased out over a transitional period up to 2015 and will be replaced by new symbols. New symbols and meanings can be found here.