These Question and Answer Sheets are intended for use by Trainers with a working knowledge of the GHS and older labelling and classification systems in Australia
An Introduction to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
Classifying Hazardous Chemicals under the WHS Regulations
Question sheet
Example 1 – pH Indicator
A laboratory chemicals supplier is re-classifying its products to the GHS. The regulatory compliance officer extracted the following salient data on its classification. What would the classification be under the GHS? Provide the associated signal words, pictograms and H-statements?
ADG/AC Classification and other relevant data
Transport information: / Div 6.1 PGIIIRisk phrases: / R25 – Toxic if swallowed
R40 – Limited evidence of carcinogenic effect
Other information: / LD50 oral – rat – 200 mg/kg
mp = 111°C
Answer
GHS Classification(s)Signal Word
Pictogram(s)
Hazard statement(s)
(and codes)
Example 2 – Disinfecting agent
A manufacturer of a solid disinfecting chemical agent is re-classifying rom ADG/AC to comply with the requirements of the GHS under the WHS Regulations. The following ADG/AC classification information is available. What would the classification of this compound be under the GHS?
ADG/AC Classification and other relevant data
Transport information: / Div 5.1 PGIIRisk phrases: / R8 – Contact with combustible material may cause fire
R22 – Harmful if swallowed
R50/53 - Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
Other information: / LD50 oral – rat – 1090 mg/kg
Answer
GHS Classification(s)Signal Word
Pictogram(s)
Hazard statement(s)
(and codes)
Example 3 – Plastics starting material
A safety officer at a plastics manufacturer is reviewing the classifications of its products and raw materials to comply with the GHS requirements of the WHS Regulations. After extracting the necessary information from the SDS and labelling, the chemical was reclassified. What shouldthe classification be?
ADG/AC Classification and other relevant data
Transport information: / Div 6.1, Sub Risk 3 PGIIRisk phrases: / R45 – May cause cancer
R23/24/25 – Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R10 – Flammable
R34 – Causes burns
R43 – May cause sensitisation by skin contact
Other information: / LD50 oral – rat – 90 mg/kg
LC50 inhalation (4h) – rat – 3.1 mg/L
bp = 115°C / fp = 32°C
Probably carcinogenic to humans
Answer
GHS Classification(s)Signal Word
Pictogram(s)
Hazard statement(s)
(and codes)
Example 4 – Bulk supply of solvent
A solvent supplier provides delivery of solvents in drums of 200 L in volume. These drums are transported directly to workplaces on pallets in a truck. How would this solvent be classified and labelled?
ADG/AC Classification and other relevant data
Transport information: / Class 3 PGIIRisk phrases: / R45 – May cause cancer
R46 – May cause heritable genetic damage
R48/23/24/25 – Toxic: danger of serious damage to health through prolonged exposure through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed
R65 – Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed
R11 – Highly flammable
R36/38 – Irritating to eyes and skin
Other information: / LD50 oral – rat – 2990 mg/kg
LC50 inhalation – rat – 447 mg/L
LD50 dermal – rabbit – 8263 mg/kg
bp = 80°C / fp = -11°C
Known to cause cancer in humans
In vivo test shows mutagenic effect
Answer
GHS Classification(s)Signal Word
Pictogram(s)
Hazard statement(s)
(and codes)
Example 5 – Compressed gas
A gas manufacturer is re-classifying its products to accord with the GHS. The following data for the gas is known. The product is supplied as a compressed gas in cylinders. How would you classify this gas according to the GHS?
ADG/AC Classification and other relevant data
Transport information: / Div 2.3 (8)ie, Subrisk CorrosiveRisk phrases: / R10 – Flammable
R23 – Toxic by inhalation
R34 – Causes burns
R50 – Very toxic to aquatic organisms
Other information: / LC50 inhalation – rat – 2000 ppmV
Lower Explosive Limit – 15 % v/v
Upper Explosive Limit – 25 % v/v
Flammable gases classification criteria (from GHS text)
Category / Criteria1 / Gases which, at 20°C and a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa:
a)Are ignitable when in a mixture of 13% or less by volume in air; or
b)Have a flammable range in air of at least 12 percentage points regardless of the lower flammable limit.
2 / Gases, other than those of Category 1, which, at 20°C and a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa, have a flammable range while mixed in air.
Flammable Gases Category 2 is not used in Australia
Answer
GHS Classification(s)Signal Word
Pictogram(s)
Hazard statement(s)
(and codes)
Example 6 – Herbicide
How would this herbicide be classified and labelled according to the GHS given the information below on its classification under the ADG and AC?
ADG/AC Classification and other relevant data
Transport information: / Div 6.1 PGIIRisk phrases: / R61 – may cause harm to the unborn child
R24 – toxic in contact with skin
R28 – very toxic if swallowed
R44 – risk of explosion if heated under confinement
R50/53 – very toxic to the aquatic environment, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
Other information: / LD50 oral – rat – 26.0 mg/kg
LC50 dermal – rat – 150 mg/kg
LD50 inhalation – no extra data
Presumed human reproductive toxicant
Answer
GHS Classification(s)Signal Word
Pictogram(s)
Hazard statement(s)
(and codes)
Example 7 – Alcohol:water cleaning solution
The following mixture is a commercially-available rinsing solution used for cleaning scientific instruments. It is a 50:50 mixture of an alcohol and water. How would this be classified and labelled under the GHS?
ADG/AC Classification and other relevant data
Transport information: / Class 3 PGIIRisk phrases: / R10 – Flammable
R36 – Irritating to eyes
R67 – Vapours may cause drowsiness
Other information: / No toxicity data
fp22°C (boiling point of alcohol on its own =82-83°C)
Cut-off limit information for eye damage/irritation
Sum of ingredients classified as
/Concentration triggering classification of a mixture as
Irreversible eye effects
/Reversible eye effects
Category 1
/Category 2
Eye or skin Category 1
/≥ 3%
/≥ 1% but < 3%
Eye category 2/2A
/≥ 10%
(10 x eye Category 1) + eye Category 2/2A
/≥ 10%
Skin category 1 + eye Category 1
/≥ 3%
/≥ 1% but < 3%
10 x (skin Category 1 + eye Category 1) + eye Category 2A/2B
/≥ 10%
The GHS suggests a cut-off value of 20% for STOT-SE Category 3.
Answer
GHS Classification(s)Signal Word
Pictogram(s)
Hazard statement(s)
(and codes)
The data for the flammability of this material is available, so it can be used to obtain a classification for the Flammable Liquids category.
Example 8 – Insecticide preparation
A ready-for-bottling insecticide preparation is being supplied from the manufacturing plant to the bottling plant. It will be stored in bulk containers in the plant’s warehouse for a few weeks until it is processed. In order to meet the WHS requirements, the preparation requires labelling in accordance with the regulations prior to it being bottled for consumer use. The active insecticide is present at 0.4 %w/w. What will the GHS classification be? What would happen if the classification was directly translated from its classification under the previous schemes?
The following information is available from the product’s SDS.
Classification information: / Not classified as Dangerous GoodsNot classified as a Hazardous Substance
Active ingredient: / Pyroglusinate 0.4 %w/w
Other ingredients: / Stabilisers 0.5 – 1 %w/w (Non-hazardous)
Detergents 0.5 – 1 %w/w (Non-hazardous)
Water: 97.6 – 98.6 %w/w (Non-hazardous)
Classification of active ingredient:
Pyroglusinate / Not classified as Dangerous GoodsR60 – May impair fertility
R61 – May cause harm to the unborn child
R20/21/22 – Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin or if swallowed
R48/20/22 – Harmful. Danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and if swallowed.
LD50 – oral = 1620 mg/kg
LC50– inhalation = 1260 mg/L
LD50 – dermal = 2000 mg/kg
Acute toxicity estimate formula
/Where:ATEmix = Acute toxicity estimate of mixtureATEi = Acute toxicity estimate of ingredientCi = concentration of ingredientn = number of ingredients from 1 to i
See cut-off concentrations in Classification Guidance Material
Space for working out:
Overall GHS labelling elements
GHS Classification(s)Signal Word
Pictogram(s)
Hazard statement(s)
(and codes)
Example 9 – Rust removing preparation
The following data relates to a rust-removing preparation. According to the SDS, the material is classified as a hazardous substance under the AC but there is no dangerous goods classification. What issues could you face classifying this mixture? What would you do to classifying this material to the GHS and what would its classification be?
The data below provide enough information to obtain a classification.
ADG/AC Classification and other relevant data
Transport information: / Not classified as Dangerous Goods.Risk phrases: / R36 – Irritating to eyes
R52 – Harmful to aquatic organisms
R53 – May cause long term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
Ingredient information / Acid component 1 (9.95% w/w)
Acid component 2 (9.95% w/w)
Surfactants – not classified as hazardous (20 %w/w)
Water - remainder
Acid component 1 (9.95 %w/w) / GHS classification?
Risk phrases: / R36/38 – Irritating to eyes and skin
R52/53 – Harmful to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
Other information: / Nothing relevant
Acid component 2 (9.95 %w/w) / GHS classification?
Risk phrases: / R22 – Harmful if swallowed
R34 – Causes burns
R37 – Irritating to resp. system
R41 – Risk of serious damage to eyes
Other information: / LD50oral – rat – 1950 mg/kg
Acute toxicity estimate formula
/Where:ATEmix = Acute toxicity estimate of mixtureATEi = Acute toxicity estimate of ingredientCi = concentration of ingredientn = number of ingredients from 1 to i
Cut-off concentrations for Skin Corrosion categories (from GHS text)
Sum of ingredients classified as: / Concentration triggering classification of a mixture as:Skin corrosive / Skin irritant
Category 1 / Category 2 / Category 3
Skin Category 1 / ≥ 5% / ≥ 1% but < 5%
Skin Category 2 / ≥ 10% / ≥ 1% but <10%
Skin Category 3 / ≥ 10%
(10 x Skin Cat. 1) + Skin Cat. 2 / ≥ 10% / ≥ 1% but <10%
(10 x Skin Cat. 1) + Skin Cat. 2 + Skin Cat. 3 / ≥ 10%
STOT – SE cut off limit of 20% is suggested by the GHS text.
Answer:
GHS Classification(s)Signal Word
Pictogram(s)
Hazard statement(s)
(and codes)
GHS Acute Toxicity Classification Ranges
Table 3.1.2, Includes Corrigendum change to Dusts and Mists
1
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