Labeling

Name and Hazard

All containers of hazardous chemicals must be labeled with the chemical’s name and hazard(s). If a chemical has more than one hazard, it must be labeled with all its hazards. For example, ethanol is both flammable and an irritant, and must be labeled with both.

  • Initial Labeling
    Inspect the labeling on incoming containers and replace damaged or semi-attached labels.

    When transferring chemicals or preparing solutions in the lab, label each chemical container with the name and hazard warning(s).
  • Hazards
    All chemicals must be labeled with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) pictograms found on their original container or in Section 2 of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

    It is acceptable to write the name of the GHS hazard as a substitute for the pictogram.

Special Considerations

  • Flammable Solvents in Refrigerators and Freezers
    All refrigerator and freezer units used in laboratories must be marked as “SAFE FOR FLAMMABLE STORAGE” or “UNSAFE FOR FLAMMABLE STORAGE” on the exterior surface of the unit as appropriate. All cold rooms must be marked “UNSAFE FOR FLAMMABLE STORAGE.”

    Flammable solvents may only be stored in household refrigerators and freezers if the Flash Point is above 100°F. All solvents stored this way must be labelled with “OK for Household Refrigerator Storage” and their Flash Point.

    See Flammable Storage in Laboratory Refrigerators for more information.
  • Alternate Methods for Labeling Multiple Small Containers

    Legend Method

    Label containers with abbreviated chemical name and hazard warnings.

    • Post an abbreviation key in a visible location in the lab with complete chemical names and all its abbreviations.
    • Document that employees are trained on the labeling system.


    Box or Tray Method

    Put containers in box or tray.

    • Label tray with chemical name and hazard warnings.
    • Containers can be removed from the box/tray without being labelled only if they are returned within the work-shift.
    • Document that employees are trained on the labeling system.
  • Peroxide-Forming Chemicals

    Peroxidizable chemicals are listed in APPENDIX G of the Chemical Hygiene Plan (PDF) and must be labeled with:

    • Date Received
    • Date Opened
    • Date Tested
    • Test Results

    See Peroxide Formers for more information.
  • Approval Required

    The following labels are provided by EHS only following review and approval:

    • Reactives: Air or water-reactive chemicals requiring special storage and handling conditions such as alkali metals.
    • Toxic gases: CO, ammonia, ozone, and chlorine. Includes compressed gas cylinders and in-lab gas generators.

    These labels can be requested via the EHS Safety Portal.
  • Consumer Products
    Anything available over the counter to the general public is exempt from labeling requirements if it has already been labeled by the manufacturer. This includes consumer products such as cans of spray paint or turpentine.
  • Stationary Containers
    Stationary process containers such as tanks may be identified with signs, placards, process sheets, batch tickets or other written materials instead of permanently affixed labels. The sign or placard must convey the same information that a container label would, and must be visible to employees throughout the work shift.
  • Portable Containers

    Portable containers used to transfer hazardous chemicals from labeled containers are exempt from labeling requirements if:

    • The container is intended for use and control by the person who transferred the chemical.
    • The transfer and use occur within the same work shift.

    However, it is recommended to attach a temporary label to the container that includes the chemical name and hazards.
  • Secondary Containers
    The contents of secondary containers must be identifiable. If the secondary container blocks the view of the chemical’s label, an additional label should be posted on the secondary container.
  • Biological and Radiation Hazards

    Refer to the Biosafety and Security Manual (PDF) and Radiation Safety Manual (PDF).

Also see section 3.4.1 of the Chemical Hygiene Plan (PDF)


Label Usage

Proper Usage of Chemical Container Labels
Label Name Image Usage

Oxidizer

red diamond surrounding depiction of flame over a circle

Flame Over Circle

GHS pictogram indicates the following hazards:

  • Oxidizers

Use on secondary containers if this GHS hazard is indicated on chemical's original container or Safety Data Sheet.

Toxic

red diamond surrounding skull and crossbones

Skull and Crossbones

GHS pictogram indicates the following hazards:

  • Acute Toxicity (fatal or toxic)

Use on secondary containers if this GHS hazard is indicated on chemical's original container or Safety Data Sheet.

Caustic

red diamond surrounding depiction of material corroding hand and metal

Corroding material on hand and metal

GHS pictogram indicates the following hazards:

  • Skin Corrosion/Burns
  • Eye Damage
  • Corrosive to Metals

Use on secondary containers if this GHS hazard is indicated on chemical's original container or Safety Data Sheet.

Irritant

red diamond surrounding explamation point

Exclamation Mark

GHS pictogram indicates the following hazards:

  • Irritant (skin and eye)
  • Skin Sensitizer
  • Acute Toxicity (harmful)
  • Narcotic Effects
  • Respiratory Tract Irritant

Use on secondary containers if this GHS hazard is indicated on chemical's original container or Safety Data Sheet.

Flammable

red diamond surrounding flame

Flame

GHS pictogram indicates the following hazards:

  • Flammables
  • Pyrophorics
  • Self-Heating

Use on secondary containers if this GHS hazard is indicated on chemical's original container or Safety Data Sheet.

Health Hazard

red diamond surrounding silhouette of a person with a starburst on the chest, with white background

Silhouette of a person with a starburst on the chest

GHS pictogram indicates the following hazards:

  • Carcinogen
  • Mutagenicity
  • Reproductive Toxicity
  • Respiratory Sensitizer
  • Target Organ Toxicity
  • Aspiration Toxicity

Use on secondary containers if this GHS hazard is indicated on chemical's original container or Safety Data Sheet.

Carcinogen

red diamond surrounding silhouette of a person with a starburst on the chest, with yellow background

Silhouette of a person with a starburst on the chest - yellow background

Optional use instead of standard (white background) health hazard pictogram, for labs wishing to specify that carcinogenicity is the chemical's health hazard.

Gas Cylinder

gas-cylinder.png

Gas Cylinder

GHS pictogram indicates the following hazards:

  • Gases under pressure

Explosive

exploding-bomb.png

Exploding Bomb

GHS pictogram indicates the following hazards:

  • Explosives
  • Self-Reactives

Requires review by EHS.

Environment

red diamond surrounding depiction of dead tree and fish

Dead tree and fish

GHS pictogram indicates the following hazards:

  • Aquatic toxicity

Optional use on secondary containers if this GHS hazard is found on chemical's original container or Safety Data Sheet.

Biohazard

 container label with orange background, black biohazard symbol and word 'biohazard'

Use on secondary containers to indicate biosafety level 2 or 3 organisms, tissues, or other biological material risk.

No GHS

 red diamond surrounding words 'NO GHS'

Use on secondary containers with no GHS hazards indicated on the chemical's original container or Safety Data Sheet, such as deionized water.

Peroxide Former

 yellow label with the words 'peroxide former' plus spaces to list required dates

Label peroxide forming chemicals with date received, date opened, date tested, and results of annual peroxide testing. See Peroxide Formers

Acetone

 label which includes flame and exclamation point hazards and the word 'acetone'

Use on secondary containers of acetone, such as benchtop bottles or sample vials.

Ethanol

 label which includes flame and exclamation point hazards and the word 'ethanol'

Use on secondary containers of ethanol, such as benchtop bottles or sample vials.

Isopropanol

 label which includes flame and exclamation point hazards, the word 'isopropanol,' and spaces to list testing dates

Use on secondary containers of isopropanol, such as benchtop bottles or sample vials. Peroxide test dates and results should be recorded annually.

Reactive

 Label displaying 'Reactive' in white lettering and blue background, circle containing and R with reactive chemical black on white background

Use for air or water-reactive chemicals requiring special storage and handling conditions such as alkali metals. Requires review by EHS.

Toxic Gas

 Label displaying 'Toxic Gas' in black lettering and white background, GHS skull and crossbones pictogram, GHS gas cylinder pictogram

Use for toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, phosphine, or nitric oxide. Requires review by EHS.

Lab Use Only (not food related)

  label with the words 'laboratory use only'

Use on household and other equipment typically used outside of lab settings. Required before sending to surplus.

Lab Use Only (food related)

  label with the words 'laboratory use only' and a no food symbol

Use on microwaves, blenders, and other equipment typically used for food preparation outside of lab settings. Required before sending to surplus.

Food for Lab Use Only

 label with the words 'food for lab use only'

Use on any food inside lab areas. All food inside lab areas must be designated for use in research.

Flammable Solvent OK for Refrigerator

 white label with text 'ok for household refrigerator storage' and space to record flash point

Label flammable solvents okay for household refrigerator storage only if the flash point is above 100°F. See Flammable Storage in Laboratory Refrigerators

Tray

 white label with space for information on contents, name, research group, lab notebook, date, custody, and hazard types

Label boxes or trays containing multiple small chemical containers, where labeling individual containers is infeasible.

Obtaining Labels

Free label stocks are maintained by EHS in the following locations.

Label Stock Locations/Contacts
Building Location/Contact Person
Biomedical Physical Sciences Corridor leading to the loading dock (outside 1104)
Bio Engineering Workroom 3040
Chemistry Stockroom (sub-basement)
Engineering Outside ECE Supply Room 3234
Eng Research Complex Mail Room
Food Science Mail Room (2nd floor, to the right of the elevator)
Giltner Hall Mail room 106
ISTB Loading bay 1312
Life Science Contact Core Facilities Officer Heather DeFeijter-Rupp
Michigan Biotech Institute Central hallway across from B134
Packaging Contact Lab Manager Aaron Walworth
Plant Biology Mail Room 142
Plant and Soil Science Plant Biology Mail Room 142
Veterinary Medical Center Contact Vet Med Safety Officer
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Contact Vet Med Safety Officer

If label stocks have run out of any label type, email EHS at chemsafe@msu.edu and more will be delivered.

Labs without access to label stocks can request labels via campus mail through the EHS Safety Portal Label Request Form.


Printable Resources for Laboratories

Proper Labeling for Containers of Hazardous Chemicals Posting (PDF)
Printable 8.5 x 11" posting for use in laboratory covers basic chemical labeling requirements, peroxide former requirements, and alternate labeling method for multiple small containers

Self-Print Templates (Sharepoint)
Templates for labs to print their own commonly used labels for small containers, large containers, storage areas, instruments.

Storage and Labeling