GHS Precautionary Statements: A Definitive Guide
6 min read
Prevention. Reaction. Mitigation. Anyone invested in workplace safety probably has experience with these three safety techniques. When it comes to chemical handling, any one of them can save a life. And they’re exactly what GHS precautionary statements help chemical handlers do. Learn more about how these important directives fit into overall GHS labeling and how to identify the GHS precautionary statements you need.
What is a GHS precautionary statement?
GHS precautionary statements advise handlers of necessary actions to prevent or minimize adverse effects of a chemical. These standardized phrases, sometimes referred to as P codes, may contain information related to storage, health recommendations, mitigation techniques, or disposal.
Precautionary statements are part of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. This international system informs and guides the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). GHS precautionary statements make up one of the six elements of a compliant GHS label, which also include:
- Signal Word (DANGER or WARNING)
- GHS Symbols (globally identifiable pictograms)
- Manufacturer Information (name, address, phone number)
- Precautionary Statements / First Aid (preventive, response, storage, or disposal precautions)
- Hazard Statements (nature and degree of hazard)
- Product Name (product, chemical, or other Identifier)
A GHS precautionary statement includes preventive, response, storage or disposal precautions.
How to determine a chemical’s precautionary statement
Determining a chemical’s precautionary statement starts with its GHS hazard class and hazard category. You can find these two elements in Section 2 (Hazard Identification) of a Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
- A GHS hazard class defines the nature of a physical or health hazard by grouping together products that have similar properties, e.g., flammable solid, carcinogenicity, or acute toxicity.
- A GHS hazard category provides a numerical representation of the hazardous severity of the product from 1 through 4, with 1 denoting the greatest severity of hazard.
Once you know these, you can cross-reference the required GHS precautionary statement.
GHS precautionary statements list (2021 update)
Each precautionary statement is designated a code, starting with the letter P and followed by three digits (P_ _ _). These precautionary statement codes assist in referencing and translation and may appear on a GHS label. However, the required element for compliant GHS labeling is the precautionary statement phrase(s). The following list reflects the most recent ninth revised edition of the GHS Classification and Labelling of Chemicals.
Note: “...” denotes instances when more information may be required based on your specific location or other circumstances. Consult your authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) when necessary.
General precautionary statements
| P101 | If medical advice is needed, have product container or label at hand. |
|---|---|
| P102 | Keep out of reach of children. |
| P103 | Read carefully and follow all instructions. |
Disposal precautionary statements
| P501 | Dispose of contents/container to ... |
|---|---|
| P502 | Refer to manufacturer or supplier for information on recovery or recycling. |
| P503 | Refer to manufacturer/supplier... for information on disposal/recovery/recycling. |
Prevention precautionary statements
| P203 | Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use. |
|---|---|
| P210 | Keep away from heat, hot surface, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking. |
| P211 | Do not spray on an open flame or other ignition source. |
| P212 | Avoid heating under confinement or reduction of the desensitized agent. |
| P220 | Keep away from clothing and other combustible materials. |
| P222 | Do not allow contact with air. |
| P223 | Do not allow contact with water. |
| P230 | Keep wetted with ... |
| P231 | Handle and store contents under inert gas/... |
| P232 | Protect from moisture. |
| P233 | Keep container tightly closed. |
| P234 | Keep only in original container. |
| P235 | Keep cool. |
| P236 | Keep only in original packaging; Division .. in the transport configuration. |
| P240 | Ground/bond container and receiving equipment. |
| P241 | Use explosion-proof [electrical/ventilating/lighting/.../] equipment. |
| P242 | Use only non-sparking tools. |
| P243 | Take precautionary measures against static discharge. |
| P244 | Keep valves and fittings free from oil and grease. |
| P250 | Do not subject to grinding/shock/friction/... |
| P251 | Do not pierce or burn, even after use. |
| P260 | Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapors/spray. |
| P261 | Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapors/spray. |
| P262 | Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing. |
| P263 | Avoid contact during pregnancy/while nursing. |
| P264 | Wash hands [and …] thoroughly after handling. |
| P265 | Do not touch eyes. |
| P270 | Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product. |
| P271 | Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. |
| P272 | Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace. |
| P273 | Avoid release to the environment. |
| P280 | Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/... |
| P282 | Wear cold insulating gloves and either face shield or eye protection. |
| P283 | Wear fire resistant or flame retardant clothing. |
| P284 | [In case of inadequate ventilation] Wear respiratory protection. |
| P231+P232 | Handle and store contents under inert gas/... Protect from moisture. |
| P264+P265 | Wash hands [and …] thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes. |
Response precautionary statements
| P301 | IF SWALLOWED: |
|---|---|
| P302 | IF ON SKIN: |
| P303 | IF ON SKIN (or hair): |
| P304 | IF INHALED: |
| P305 | IF IN EYES: |
| P306 | IF ON CLOTHING: |
| P308 | IF exposed or concerned: |
| P316 | Get emergency medical help immediately. |
| P317 | Get emergency medical help. |
| P318 | If exposed or concerned, get medical advice. |
| P319 | Get medical help if you feel unwell. |
| P320 | Specific treatment is urgent (see ... on this label). |
| P321 | Specific treatment (see ... on this label). |
| P330 | Rinse mouth. |
| P331 | Do NOT induce vomiting. |
| P332 | IF SKIN irritation occurs: |
| P333 | If skin irritation or rash occurs: |
| P334 | Immerse in cool water [or wrap in wet bandages]. |
| P335 | Brush off loose particles from skin. |
| P336 | Thaw frosted parts with lukewarm water. Do not rub affected area. |
| P337 | If eye irritation persists: |
| P338 | Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. |
| P340 | Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing. |
| P342 | If experiencing respiratory symptoms: |
| P351 | Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. |
| P352 | Wash with plenty of water/... |
| P353 | Rinse skin with water [or shower]. |
| P354 | Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. |
| P360 | Rinse immediately contaminated clothing and skin with plenty of water before removing clothes. |
| P361 | Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. |
| P362 | Take off contaminated clothing. |
| P363 | Wash contaminated clothing before reuse. |
| P364 | And wash it before reuse. |
| P370 | In case of fire: |
| P371 | In case of major fire and large quantities: |
| P372 | Explosion risk. |
| P373 | DO NOT fight fire when fire reaches explosives. |
| P375 | Fight fire remotely due to the risk of explosion. |
| P376 | Stop leak if safe to do so. |
| P377 | Leaking gas fire: Do not extinguish, unless leak can be stopped safely. |
| P378 | Use ... to extinguish. |
| P380 | Evacuate area. |
| P381 | In case of leakage, eliminate all ignition sources. |
| P390 | Absorb spillage to prevent material damage. |
| P391 | Collect spillage. |
| P301+P316 | IF SWALLOWED: Get emergency medical help immediately. |
| P301+P317 | IF SWALLOWED: Get medical help. |
| P301+P330+P331 | IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. |
| P302+P317 | IF ON SKIN: Get medical help. |
| P302+P334 | IF ON SKIN: Immerse in cool water or wrap in wet bandages. |
| P302+P335+P334 | Brush off loose particles from skin. Immerse in cool water [or wrap in wet bandages]. |
| P302+P352 | IF ON SKIN: wash with plenty of water/... |
| P302+P361+P354 | IF ON SKIN: Take off Immediately all contaminated clothing. Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. |
| P303+P361+P353 | IF ON SKIN (or hair): Take off Immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse SKIN with water [or shower]. |
| P304+P317 | IF INHALED: Get medical help. |
| P304+P340 | IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing. |
| P305+P351+P338 | IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do - continue rinsing. |
| P305+P354+P338 | IF IN EYES: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. |
| P306+P360 | IF ON CLOTHING: Rinse Immediately contaminated CLOTHING and SKIN with plenty of water before removing clothes. |
| P308+P316 | IF exposed or concerned: Get emergency medical help immediately. |
| P332+P317 | If skin irritation occurs: Get medical help. |
| P333+P317 | If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical help. |
| P336+P317 | Immediately thaw frosted parts with lukewarm water. Do not rub affected area. Get medical help. |
| P337+P317 | If eye irritation persists: Get medical help. |
| P342+P316 | If experiencing respiratory symptoms: Get emergency medical help immediately. |
| P361+P364 | Take off immediately all contaminated clothing and wash it before reuse. |
| P362+P364 | Take off contaminated clothing and wash it before reuse. |
| P370+P376 | in case of fire: Stop leak if safe to do so. |
| P370+P378 | In case of fire: Use ... to extinguish. |
| P370+P380+P375 | In case of fire: Evacuate area. Fight fire remotely due to the risk of explosion. |
| P371+P380+P375 | In case of major fire and large quantities: Evacuate area. Fight fire remotely due to the risk of explosion. |
| P370+P372+P380+P373 | In case of fire: Explosion risk. Evacuate area. DO NOT fight fire when fire reaches explosives. |
| P370+P380+P375[+P378] | In case of fire: Evacuate area. Fight fire remotely due to the risk of explosion. [Use…to extinguish].] |
Storage precautionary statements
| P401 | Store in accordance with ... |
|---|---|
| P402 | Store in a dry place. |
| P403 | Store in a well-ventilated place. |
| P404 | Store in a closed container. |
| P405 | Store locked up. |
| P406 | Store in corrosive resistant/... container with a resistant inner liner. |
| P407 | Maintain air gap between stacks or pallets. |
| P410 | Protect from sunlight. |
| P411 | Store at temperatures not exceeding ... °C/...°F. |
| P412 | Do not expose to temperatures exceeding 50 °C/ 122 °F. |
| P413 | Store bulk masses greater than ... kg/...lbs at temperatures not exceeding ... °C/...°F. |
| P420 | Store separately. |
| P402+P404 | Store in a dry place. Store in a closed container. |
| P403+P233 | Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed. |
| P403+P235 | Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool. |
| P410+P403 | Protect from sunlight. Store in a well-ventilated place. |
| P410+P412 | Protect from sunlight. Do not expose to temperatures exceeding 50 °C/122°F. |