LABORATORY ACTIVITY 1

CHEMICAL SAFETY FOLLOWING THE GLOBALLY

HARMONIZED SYSTEM (GHS)
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this activity, the students should be able to:

1. Develop an understanding of the principles of chemical safety following the Globally

Harmonized System (GHS).
1.1. Recognize common laboratory hazards and explain why they are hazards.
1.2. Assess the risks of the hazards.
1.3. Minimize the risks of the hazards.
1.4. Prepare for emergencies from uncontrolled hazards.

2. To keep safety a high priority in handling chemicals.

INTRODUCTION

Laboratory safety is a top priority and critical component of all chemistry courses. Students
need to develop a good foundation in the basic principles and procedures of laboratory safety.
To care about safety and develop a safety ethic, students need to learn the “why” behind safety
so that they can identify safety issues and can make decisions that reflect their personal safety
values and knowledge (ACS, 2016).

There are more than 163 million chemical substances registered at the Chemical Abstracts
Service (CAS), a division of the American Chemical Society, and this number increases
significantly every year (www.cas.org). In any laboratory, either a chemistry laboratory or other
science laboratory, where chemicals are used, there will be hazards (ACS, 2017). All chemicals
have inherent hazardous properties (ACS, 2017). Basic hazard potential of chemicals is
communicated via the classification assigned by the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) symbols
and codes that can be found on Safety Data Sheets (SDSs, formerly known as Material Safety
Data Sheets or MSDSs) and on chemical supplier bottles and packages (Sigmann and McEwen,
2016 & UN, 2003). Many countries have already adopted and implemented the GHS. The
system has been incorporated in each countries laws and regulations. The implementation of
the GHS worldwide has been very cost-effective in terms of trade facilitation; regulatory
promotion and execution; safe transport, handling and usage of chemicals; and reduction of
animal testing. The GHS is beneficial to all sectors specifically the governments, industries,
traders, workers, and consumers. Overall, the adoption of the GHS addresses both the
protection of human health and the environment.
In the GHS, there are 17 physical hazard classes, 10 health hazard classes, and 2 environmental
hazards classes (ACS, 2017). GHS hazard statement means a standard phrase assigned to a
hazard class and category to describe the nature and severity of a chemical hazard. Each hazard
statement is designated a code, starting with the letter H and followed by 3 digits.

• H2xx: Physical hazards;

• H3xx: Health hazards;
• H4xx: Environmental hazards.

In the GHS, the lower the category value is within each classification for a chemical, the more
severe the hazard (ACS, 2017). GHS language also includes:

• A signal word (such as “danger” or “warning”)

• A symbol or pictogram (such as a flame within a red-bordered diamond)
• A hazard statement (such as “causes serious eye damage”)
• Precautionary statements for safely using the chemical

Table 1: GHS Pictograms and Hazards

SIGNAL H-
TYPE PICTOGRAM/SYMBOL
WORD STATEMENTS
DANGER H200, H201,
H202, H203,
H240, H241
EXPLOSIVE WARNING H204

DANGER H220, H222,

PHYSICAL H224, H225,
HAZARDS FLAMMABLE H228 (cat.1)
WARNING H228 (cat.2),
H223, H226
DANGER H241, H242
(type C,D),
PYROPHORIC
H250, H251,
SELF HEATING
H260, H261
(cat.2)
 WARNING H242 (type E,F),
H252, H261
(cat.3)
DANGER H241, H242
ORGANIC
(type C,D)
PEROXIDE
WARNING H242 (type E,F)
DANGER H270, H271,
H272 (cat.2)
WARNING H272 (cat.3)
OXIDIZING

GASES UNDER WARNING H280, H281

PRESSURE

CORROSIVE TO WARNING H290

METALS

TOXIC DANGER H300, H301,

H310, H311,
H330, H331

HEALTH CARCINOGENIC, DANGER H340, H350,

HAZARDS MUTAGENIC, OR H360, H370,
TOXIC FOR H372
REPRODUCTION
 DANGER H304, H334
WARNING H341, H351,
H361, H371
H373

HARMFUL
WARNING H302, H312,
H332

CORROSIVE DANGER H314, H318

IRRITANT WARNING H315, H319,

H317, H335,
H336

WARNING H400, H410

NO SIGNAL H411
HAZARDOUS TO WORD
AQUATIC
ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONME
NTAL
HAZARDOUS TO WARNING H420
HAZARDS
OZONE LAYER
Part of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for Hazard Communication is the Safety Data
Sheet (SDS). The SDS shall enable users to take the necessary measures relating to protection of
human health and safety at the workplace, and protection of the environment. The SDS must
inform its audience of the hazards of a substance or a mixture and provide information on the
safe storage, handling and disposal of the substance or the mixture. Thus, it is very important
that every student prior to conducting laboratory activities must be oriented with the SDS of
the chemicals they will be handling.

One of the easiest ways to find an SDS for a specific chemical is through Google search. Simply,
enter the following information:

• Chemical name (e.g., sodium chloride)

e.g.
• "safety data sheet"
sodium carbonate safety data sheet Sigma Aldrich
• Manufacturer's name, if you have it.

Table 2: Safety Data Sheet Format (16 Headings)

The Design of a Safety Data Sheet

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 control/personal protection
9. Physical and chemical properties
10. Stability and reactivity
11. Toxicological information
12. Ecological information
13. Disposal considerations
14. Transport information
15. Regulatory information
16. Other information

The following pages show a sample SDS for the ACS reagent, anhydrous, ≥99.5%, powder or
granules Sodium Carbonate.
MATERIALS

Not Applicable

CHEMICALS

Not Applicable

PROCEDURE

Part I. Hazard Identification of Chemicals

Listed in the table below are ten (10) chemicals. Fill in the following lacking information based
on the Globally Harmonized System-Safety Data Sheet (GHS-SDS). You can find an SDS for a
specific chemical through Google search. For the manufacturer’s name, do not limit your
search or reference on Sigma-Aldrich. There are other chemical manufacturers producing these
chemicals.

SIGNAL MANUFACTURER’S
H-
ITEM CHEMICAL PICTOGRAM/SYMBOL NAME
WORD STATEMENTS
(REFERENCE)
Example Sodium Warning H319 – Causes Sigma-Aldrich
Carbonate serious eye
ACS reagent, irritation
anhydrous,
≥99.5%,
powder or
granules
1 Hydrochloric
acid
ACS reagent,
37%

2 Sulfuric acid
99.999%
3 Oxalic acid
98%

4 Potassium
permanganate
ACS reagent,
≥99.0%

5 Lead(II)
nitrate
ACS reagent,
≥99.0%

6 Potassium
nitrate
ACS reagent,
≥99.0%

7 Sodium
hydroxide
ACS reagent,
≥97.0%,
pellets

8 Benzene
analytical
standard

9 Sodium
chloride
ACS reagent,
≥99.0%
 10 Mercury
≥99.99% trace
metals basis

Part II. Emergency Preparation for Uncontrolled Hazards

A primarily synthetic chemical that is used extensively in the manufacture of plastics, rubber,
and resins is styrene. According to U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA),
health effects from exposure to styrene may involve the central nervous system and include
complaints of headache, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, malaise, difficulty in
concentrating, and a feeling of intoxication. Search for the standard Globally Harmonized
System-Safety Data Sheet (GHS-SDS) of styrene. You will be using styrene GHS-SDS to answer
Question #3 below.

QUESTIONS

1. Compare the results from the Table in Part I. Which of these 10 chemicals is the most
hazardous based on the hazard classification? Explain.
HAZARD CLASSIFICATION CHEMICAL EXPLANATION

Physical hazards

Health hazards

Environmental hazards

2. Compare the results from the Table in Part I. Which of these 10 chemicals is the least
hazardous based on the hazard classification? Explain.
HAZARD CLASSIFICATION CHEMICAL EXPLANATION

Physical hazards

Health hazards

Environmental hazards
3. Based on the Safety Data Sheet of styrene (Part II of the Procedure), what are the
recommended safety equipment in preparing emergencies from uncontrolled hazards?

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4. From this activity, what conclusion can you draw to minimize the risks of hazards in any
laboratory setting where chemicals are used?

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REFERENCES

United Nations. (2019). Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
(8th revised ed.).

American Chemical Society. (2017). Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories (8th ed.).

American Chemical Society. (2016). Guidelines for Chemical Laboratory Safety in Academic
Institutions.

American Chemical Society. (2015). Identifying and Evaluating Hazards in Research

Laboratories.

Sainz, D. (2015). Health and Safety in Chemistry. EMMCChIR. [PDF Slides].

www.acs.org.

www.sigmaaldrich.com.

www.osha.gov.

www.fishersci.com.

https://chemicalsinourlife.echa.europa.eu/.

www.chemsafetypro.com.