Marking of hazardous substances

Explosive materials and substances (GHS01)

These are single chemical compounds or mixtures of chemical compounds that are capable of violent reactions – explosions (e.g., TNT, nitroglycerin).

Flammable materials and substances (GHS02)

These are various materials that are easily ignited under normal temperature and pressure conditions and require an external source of ignition. They also include substances and materials that emit flammable gases or vapors (e.g., gasoline, turpentine, wood, wood dust).

Oxidizing materials and substances (GHS03)

Simply put, these are substances that release oxygen during a chemical reaction, causing its increase in another material or the surrounding atmosphere. Hydrogen peroxide, known as hydrogen peroxide, bleach, or perhydrol, is also used as a fuel oxidizer in rocket engines. When exposed to high temperatures, it causes an increase in oxygen levels and thus a very violent combustion reaction. The oxygen release reaction is very dangerous in the event of a fire, as the fire then burns more violently and is more dangerous.

Pressurized gases (GHS04)

This includes all gases stored in cylinders, even those connected to a compressor. Apart from the explosive properties of various gases, it is important to mention the pressure inside these cylinders. The pressure in a compressed gas cylinder can reach up to 200 bar. For comparison, the pressure in a car tire is on average 3.0 bar. Such a cylinder heated, for example, by sunlight, poses an even greater danger. Heat increases the pressure inside the cylinder, which can lead to the cylinder rupturing. The energy released during such an event is comparable to a bomb explosion.

You can find out about the methods of marking compressed gas cylinders, how to store them and how they work in the “Welding” chapter.

Substances that corrode metals / Corrosive substances (GHS05)

Corrosive substances that attack metals and irritate the skin, upper respiratory tract, and eyes include acids (e.g., sulfuric acid, nitric acid) and alkalis (e.g., sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide). Both groups of substances are equally dangerous to humans.

The main difference between acid and lye is the way they work.

Acid acts on the surface. It first affects the skin, causing irritation, burning, stinging, and a burning sensation. In high concentrations, tissue degradation may occur immediately. In addition, acid vapors are highly irritating to the upper respiratory tract and can lead to severe burns.

Lye produces a corrosive alkaline solution. It can enter the human body without visible symptoms, where it turns into a corrosive solution, wreaking havoc. This means that you may not even notice that lye has entered your body until you feel its effects inside.

Aby zapobiec działaniu kwasu lub ługu zawsze noś odpowiednie ubranie kwasoodporne, odpowiednie buty, rękawice i pełną osłonę twarzy. Dodatkowo zapewnij odpowiednią wentylację w pomieszczeniu, w którym pracujesz, a resztki kwasu lub ługu przechowuj w specjalnym przeznaczonym do tego pojemniku. Jeśli stężenie niebezpiecznych substancji jest duże stosuj odpowiednią ochronę górnych dróg oddechowych.

Toxic (poisonous) substances (GHS06)

These are all substances that cause disturbances in the functioning of the human body even in small doses.

Symptoms of acute poisoning with toxic materials and substances include excessive salivation, a sweet taste in the mouth, ringing in the ears, nausea, tingling in the fingers, palpitations, severe abdominal pain, and diarrhea. However, some substances may also cause symptoms of psychomotor agitation, narcotic sleep, or coma. All toxic substances can enter the human body in various ways.

• Through the digestive system.
To avoid this, never store food near hazardous substances. Do not eat or drink at your workstation when handling hazardous substances. Maintain good personal hygiene. Always wash your hands thoroughly before eating, especially when working with hazardous substances.

• Through skin contact.
One of the elements of the human respiratory system is the skin. It is through the skin that a certain part of the gas exchange taking place in our cells occurs. This is especially true when it is hot or when we are doing heavy work and sweating, as all substances can more easily penetrate the human body. The structure of our skin is porous, which is why all liquid substances that are hazardous can easily penetrate the body through it. Always wear appropriate clothing and gloves, especially when working with hazardous substances. If you suspect that a hazardous substance has come into contact with your skin, use an emergency shower.

• Through the upper airways.
Through the nose and mouth. This is how vapors and mists of hazardous substances, smoke, or poisonous gases can easily enter the body. But also hazardous dust suspended in the air, which in the form of dust particles can enter the lungs and from there into the bloodstream. Always use appropriate protection for the upper respiratory tract. Do not smoke at your workplace – along with the smoke, you may also inhale toxic substances.

• Through the mucous membranes.
When you work with hazardous substances, these can also enter the body through the mucous membranes. Refrain from putting on makeup at the workplace with hazardous substances and from wiping your eyes. If a hazardous substance enters the eye use an eye wash shower. Select the color of the shower according to the type of chemical you came into contact with.

• Through the circulatory system.
The dangerous substance can also enter the bloodstream directly. Through open wounds, scratches and even abrasions of the epidermis. The easiest and fastest way is through cut wounds, as there are a lot of blood vessels open compared to a lacerated wound, or abrasion, where there are far fewer blood vessels open.

Remember, if you have been in contact with a hazardous substance and have symptoms of poisoning. Go to a doctor immediately! Take the packaging of the product and, if possible, the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) with you, and necessarily a colleague to help you in case of a sudden deterioration of health.

Irritant substances (GHS07)

Substances that cause discomfort during its use and some toxic substances are marked with this mark. Among such substances we can include, for example, acetone. In higher concentrations, it can cause irritation of the mucous membranes and mouth, burns of the upper respiratory tract up to unconsciousness and coma. Although it is an organic solvent naturally occurring in the human body and the liver can handle small doses of it. It is in industrial concentrations that it is very dangerous to humans.

Carcinogenic/mutagenic substances (GHS08)

“Asterisk human,” referred to by behaviorists as the sign of painter’s syndrome. It means that exposure to small doses of the substance can have irreversible future health consequences for you or your offspring. A case in point is the painter who, in the ’40s-50s, painted windows, doors and doorframes with lead-based enamels (actually lead white derived from lead oxide). He inhaled lead compounds for 8 hours a day, often over many years of working life. Lead, as a heavy metal, is not metabolized by humans and lead poisoning has irreversible effects on health. The disease, in fact a set of diseases caused by lead, is called lead poisoning. Today the painter is retired, but has disorders of taste, smell, sometimes hearing and vision – these are symptoms of chronic poisoning, resulting from daily exposure to small doses of the poisonous substance.

Substances marked with this sign must not be used by pregnant women. These substances can adversely affect the health of the unborn child at any stage of its development and cause irreversible damage to the fetus!

Substances harmful to the environment (GHS09)

These are all those substances that have a negative impact on the environment. For example, all petroleum products, freons found in refrigerators or other dangerous chemicals. There are really a lot of them. An example of such a product is turpentine. A widely used organic solvent in industry. It is a raffinate of conifer resins and with normal use, i.e. in a well-ventilated room for no longer than 8 hours and with the use of appropriate personal protective equipment – it is relatively safe for humans. From the use of turpentine can give us a headache. But in extreme cases, when this solvent is not used according to the manufacturer’s recommendationsit can cause brain damage. Turpentine is very dangerous to the environment and spilling it on the ground or into water causes contamination. Take care of the environment! Use hazardous substances according to their intended use and dispose of them according to the product sheet. Do not pour leftover substances on the ground or into the sewage system.