Labelling Hazardous Chemicals

Every container, every pipe, every decant. Get the label right and most other chemical risks become manageable.

Quick Take

• GHS 7 mandatory for new stock since 1 January 2023.
• 9 GHS pictograms carry most of the visual hazard message.
• Labels in English; product identifier + supplier + Australian phone.
• Decanted containers need a label unless the chemical is "used immediately" (not unattended, single user, container cleaned after).
• Pipework: signs, colour code (AS 1345), or schematic; per Reg 343.

1. Who must label what (Reg 335–345)

Manufacturer / importer (Reg 335)

• Label hazardous chemicals as soon as practicable after manufacture / import.
• Comply with GHS + Schedule 9 of WHS Regs.
• An alternative label is acceptable only if content is the same or substantially the same.

Supplier (Reg 338)

• Must not supply a chemical they know (or ought to know) is incorrectly labelled.

PCBU using / storing (Part 7.1 Subdivision 3)

• Ensure every container in use, handling, or storage is correctly labelled.
• Label chemicals manufactured on site or decanted/transferred at the workplace.
• Maintain labelling while holding the chemical.

Pipework (Reg 343)

• Identified by label, sign, or other means on or near the pipe (so far as reasonably practicable).
• Methods: signs, colour code (cross-reference AS 1345), schematic layouts.

2. GHS — current revision in Australia

• Australia adopted GHS 3 on 1 January 2012.
• GHS 7 transition started 1 January 2021.
• GHS 7 mandatory from 1 January 2023 for new manufacture / import.
• Stock labelled before 31 Dec 2022 under GHS 3 may continue in service; do not relabel.
• New manufacture / import after 31 Dec 2022 must use GHS 7.

3. The 9 GHS pictograms

![[labelling_hazardous_chemicals_img001.jpg|520]] Figure 1 — GHS pictograms vs ADG transport classes (Appendix G of source). The same chemical may carry different pictograms on its workplace label vs its transport label.

#	Pictogram	Hazard class	Meaning
1	Exploding bomb	Explosive	Liable to detonate / deflagrate under shock, friction, heat.
2	Flame over circle	Oxidising	Intensifies fire; may cause spontaneous ignition.
3	Flame	Flammable	Liquid / solid / gas catches fire easily.
4	Gas cylinder	Pressurised gas	Compressed / liquefied; rupture / violent escape risk.
5	Corrosion	Corrosive	Skin burns, eye damage, material corrosion.
6	Skull & crossbones	Acute toxicity	Fatal or severely harmful via swallow / inhale / skin.
7	Exclamation mark	Lesser health hazards	Skin / eye / respiratory irritation; allergic skin; drowsiness; dizziness.
8	Health hazard (torso)	Chronic health	Carcinogen, mutagen, repro toxin, target-organ, aspiration.
9	Environment (fish + tree)	Environmental	Acutely / chronically toxic to aquatic life.

Visual: square rotated 45° (diamond), black symbol on white background, red border, sized to be clearly visible.

4. Required label content (Schedule 9)

Mandatory

1. Product identifier (matches SDS).
2. Supplier identifier — manufacturer / importer name, Australian address, business phone.
3. Ingredients disclosed per Schedule 8 (chemical identity + proportion of each hazardous ingredient).
4. Hazard pictograms — all relevant.
5. Signal word — Danger or Warning.
6. Hazard statements — describe nature & degree (e.g. "Highly flammable liquid and vapour").
7. Precautionary statements — prevention, response, storage, disposal.
8. Other hazard info — first aid, emergency, anything not covered above.
9. Expiry date — if hazard classification changes with degradation.

![[labelling_hazardous_chemicals_img002.jpg|520]] Figure 2 — Worked label example with all required elements: product identifier, supplier, signal word "Danger", flame pictogram, hazard / precautionary statements, ingredients.

Optional but recommended

• 24/7 emergency / poisons phone number (pre-confirmed with the service).
• Overseas manufacturer details.
• Website.
• "See SDS for additional information."

Language: English (mandatory).

Layout: product identifier + ingredients at the most prominent position; signal word + pictograms + statements grouped adjacent.

5. Decanted containers

Decanting = transferring within a workplace (does not include rebottling for supply to another workplace).

Required minimum label (English):

• Product identifier.
• Hazard pictogram OR hazard statement consistent with classification.

"Used immediately" exemption — no label required if all three apply:

1. Container not left unattended by the person who decanted it.
2. Used only by that person.
3. Container cleaned immediately after use.

Repeated-use decant containers — attach a permanent label; never reuse for a different chemical.

If the decant remains for someone else to use, or after a break, or even briefly unattended → label is required.

6. Pipework labelling (AS 1345)

Acceptable methods:

• Signs adjacent to pipework.
• Colour coding per AS 1345 (Identification of contents of pipes, conduits, ducts).
• Schematic layouts displayed prominently.

Information conveyed: identity of chemical, hazards, precautions.

7. Research / lab samples

Minimum label (English):

• Product identifier (chemical name, acronym, formula, structure, or reaction components).
• Hazard pictogram OR statement.

If identity is unknown — state clearly; include best-known / suspected hazard info.

Practical alternatives:

• Secure swing tag.
• Sign on supporting apparatus.
• Outer-container label (one label on a rack of test tubes).

8. Mixtures vs ingredients

• Disclose chemical identity + proportion of each ingredient classified as hazardous (health or environmental) per Schedule 8.
• Not required: ingredients meeting only physical / environmental hazards, or non-hazardous ingredients.
• Generic names permitted (per source Appendix C) where disclosing the true name poses an unacceptable confidentiality / safety risk.
• Mixture's pictograms / signal word / statements come from the mixture's classification, calculated from ingredients per GHS rules.

9. When labels can be omitted or reduced

Reduced label:

• Small containers — too small to fit the full label. ![[labelling_hazardous_chemicals_img003.jpg|520]] Figure 3 — Small-container label: product identifier, supplier, hazard pictogram OR statement; rest as reasonably practicable.
• Decanted / transferred — see §5.
• Research samples — see §7.
• Internal-only chemicals (workers know hazards) — minimum: identifier + pictogram or statement.
• Hazardous waste — identifier, manufacturer/importer, pictogram + statement; known constituents and proportions.

Excluded from this code

• Explosives — comply with the Australian Code for Transport of Explosives.
• Ag/vet chemicals — APVMA labelling rules; may omit GHS pictogram + signal word but must include hazard / precautionary statements.
• In transit ≤ 5 consecutive days — transport regulations apply (ADG Code, IMDG, etc.).
• Used immediately (decanted, see §5).

10. Records & training

• Manufacturers / importers retain evidence of correct classification and label content.
• PCBUs maintain labelling on every container while holding the chemical.
• Workers trained to interpret labels and pictograms.
• Decanting workers trained on the "used immediately" rule and the obligation to label otherwise.
• Pipework systems (AS 1345 colours / schematic) require worker familiarity.

11. Common pitfalls / quick wins

Do

• Print "See SDS for additional information" on every label.
• Annual audit — every container (bulk, decanted, waste) for current labelling.
• Identify and replace pre-2023 GHS 3 stock as it cycles out.
• Use Appendix B checklist (8-step label prep) before manufacturing / importing.
• Pipe colour-coded to AS 1345 + reference chart on noticeboard.
• Outer-box labels where individual ampoules are too small.

Don't

• Skip a decanted-container label because "the worker knows what it is".
• Keep pre-2023 GHS 3 labels on stock manufactured / imported after 31 Dec 2022.
• Omit the manufacturer / importer phone — it's mandatory.
• Use ADG-only transport labels in lieu of workplace labels.
• Forget pictogram size (≤ 500 mL: 15 × 15 mm; ≥ 25 L: 100 × 100 mm).

12. Cross-references

• Within §06: [[managing_risks_of_hazardous_chemicals]], [[safety_data_sheets]]
• Foundations: [[risk_management_process]]
• Glossary (GHS, Schedule 9, ADG): [[glossary_and_key_concepts]]

---

Source: labelling_of_workplace_hazardous_chemicals.md (Safe Work Australia, model Code of Practice, CC-BY-NC 4.0). Last verified against SWA: 2026-04-27.