Specific sections of an HMIS® label include the following:
ADSSAD
HMIS :
Health
The Health section conveys the health hazards of the material. In the latest version of HMIS®, the blue Health bar has two spaces, one for an asterisk and one for a numeric hazard rating.
If present, the asterisk signifies a chronic health hazard, meaning that long-term exposure to the material could cause a health problem such as emphysema or kidney damage. NFPA lacks this important information because the NFPA system is meant only for emergency or acute (short-term) exposures.
According to NPCA, the numeric hazard assessment procedure is different than that used by NFPA. Here are the numeric rankings for the HMIS system:
4
Life-threatening, major or permanent damage may result from single or repeated overexposures.
3
Major injury likely unless prompt action is taken and medical treatment is given.
2
Temporary or minor injury may occur.
1
Irritation or minor reversible injury possible.
0
No significant risk to health.
Reactivity (HMIS® I and II - now obsolete)
The criteria used to assign numeric values (0 = low hazard to 4 = high hazard) were identical to those used by NFPA. In other words, in this category, the systems were identical.
This version is now obsolete. The yellow section has been replaced with an orange section titled Physical Hazards - see the next section for more information.
NFPA label
This label is for emergency response and fire fighters.
Hazard rating is from 0 (no hazard) to 4 (extreme).
Flammability (flash points)
0 = Will not burn
1 = above 200 degrees Fahrenheit
2 = Between 100-200 degrees Fahrenheit
3 = Below 100 degrees Fahrenheit
4 = Flash point below 73 degrees Fahrenheit
Health
0 = Normal Material
1 = Slight Hazard
2 = Moderately Hazardous
3 = Extremely Hazardous
4 = Deadly
Specific Hazard
ACID-acid
ALK-alkali
COR-corrosive
OX-oxidizer
P-polymerization
(W with a line through it)-Use no water
Reactivity
0 = Stable
1 = Unstable if heated
2 = Violent chemical change
3 = Shock or heat may detonate
4 = Rapidly capable of detonation or explosion
Physical Hazard (HMIS® III)
Reactivity hazard are assessed using the OSHA criterion of physical hazard. Seven such hazard classes are recognized:
Unstable Reactives
This version replaces the now-obsolete yellow section titled Reactivity - see the previous section for more information. As with the Health and Flammability sections, the level of hazard is indicated using numeric values (0 = low hazard to 4 = high hazard):
Materials that are normally stable but can become unstable (self-react) at high temperatures and pressures. Materials may react non-violently with water or undergo hazardous polymerizationin the absence of inhibitors.
0
Materials that are normally stable, even under fire conditions, and will not react with water, polymerize, decompose , condense, or self-react. Non-explosives.
Personal Protection
This is by far the largest area of difference between the NFPA and HMIS® systems. In the NFPA system, the white area is used to convey special hazardswhereas HMIS® uses the white section to indicate what personal protective equipment (PPE)should be used when working with the material.
Note: The NPCA specifically recommends that "preparers of MSDSs should not place HMIS® PPE designation codes on the MSDSs or labels that leave the facility, as they do not know the conditions under which their customers use those products." However, these still turn up on some MSDS's
HMIS® uses a letter coding system for this section. We at ILPI find this unacceptable because we would rather see the PPE listed explicitly instead of having employees try to remember a bunch of codes or consult a chart, something that could lead to confusion and/or a fatal accident. Likewise, the "custom codes" aspect is particularly dangerous for visitors and contractors who may not remember/recognize that these could vary from job site to job site.
Note: Some of the letters/symbols used in this table are also used as TSCA, CHIP, and/or DoD HMIRS/HCC codes, all of which have completely different meanings and applications! Say, did we tell you we dislike code systems?
We present the lettering scheme here, along with a series of graphics meant to reinforce the meaning of each letter:
HMIS® Letter
Required Equipment
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L through Z
Site-specific label. Ask your supervisor or safety specialist for handling instructions
Note: The information presented herein is our interpretation of certain test results and field experience to date. The information is not to be taken as warranty or representation for which we assume legal responsibility, nor as permission or recommendation to practice any patented invention without a license. It is offered solely for your consideration, investigation and verification.
General Chemical Corp.
12336 Emerson Dr.
Brighton, Michigan(MI.)
48116, USA
