Making
Effective
Right-To-Know Labels
There
are many types of Right To Know label designs used to inform
employees of chemical hazards. The most popular RTK labels
use some type of number rating and color coding system in
conjunction with written text to identify the chemical and
its physical and health hazards.
The
National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Standard System
for the Identification of the Fire Hazards of Materials
is an example of a number and color coding system. The NFPA
Diamond uses color codes to identify Health risks (in blue),
Flammability (in red), Instability (in yellow), and Special
Hazards (in white). Numbers are used to rate the severity
of the hazard on a scale of 0 to 4. 4 represents the most
severe. 0 represents minimal or no danger.
The NFPA
Diamond
The
NFPA Diamond by itself does not meet the OSHA HazCom Standard. Whether or not a
number and color coding system is used, all Right-To-Know labels must contain at least the following
information*:
- Identity
of the hazardous chemical(s).
- Appropriate
hazard warnings.
- Target
organ warning.
- Name
and address of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or
other responsible party.
The
most effective RTK labels employ a number and color coding
system and have the following information written out on
the label:
- An
index of the number and color coding system.
- Chemical
name.
- CAS
number.
- Signal
word (Danger, Caution, Poison, etc.)
- Health
hazard.
- Fire
hazard.
- Organs
effected by the chemical.
- First
aid.
- Emergency
numbers.
- Pictograms
illustrating protective equipment and dangers.
- Reference
to Material Safety Data Sheet for further information.
Thus,
an effective RTK label might look something like this:
*{OHS
1910.1200(f)(1); OSHA Standards Interpretation 1910.1200
02/09/94}
Related
links
Software
to customize and streamline RTK labels.
NFPA
704
Free NFPA Ratings Explanation
Guide
For
more information
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This guide is intended for general information purposes
only. This guide is not a substitute for review of applicable
government regulations and standards. |
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