5 Common Mistakes in Chemical Labeling and How to Avoid Them

5 Common Mistakes in Chemical Labeling and How to Avoid Them

Proper chemical labeling is essential for workplace safety and OSHA compliance. Incorrect or incomplete labels can lead to accidents, regulatory fines, and increased liability. Unfortunately, many businesses make mistakes when labeling hazardous chemicals, which can jeopardize safety and compliance. In this post, we’ll cover the five most common mistakes in chemical labeling and provide tips on how to avoid them to ensure a safer and more compliant workplace.

1. Missing or Incorrect Hazard Pictograms

Mistake: Hazard pictograms are an important part of chemical labeling, providing a quick visual cue about the nature of the hazard. However, some businesses neglect to use them or mistakenly use incorrect pictograms. For example, a flammable chemical might not have the flame pictogram, or a corrosive chemical might be labeled with the wrong hazard symbol.

How to Avoid It: Always ensure that the correct pictogram is used according to the chemical's classification. OSHA has a set of designated pictograms for various types of hazards, including explosive, corrosive, flammable, toxic, and more. Familiarize yourself with these symbols and make sure they are clearly visible on each label.

Tip: Use a pre-designed, OSHA-compliant label to guarantee you’re using the right pictograms. This reduces the chance of errors.

2. Not Updating Labels When New Information is Available

Mistake: Chemical formulations and safety data can change over time. Some businesses fail to update their labels when new information becomes available, such as a change in the chemical’s hazard classification or new safety precautions.

How to Avoid It: Keep track of all updates from chemical suppliers, including revised SDS (Safety Data Sheets) and any changes in labeling requirements. Regularly review your labels to ensure they reflect the most up-to-date information.

Tip: Set a reminder or create a schedule to review your chemical labels annually or whenever new SDS documents are received. You can also use a labeling system that allows easy updates.

3. Illegible or Hard-to-Read Labels

Mistake: Labels that are difficult to read due to small font sizes, poor print quality, or fading are a common mistake. Illegible labels can lead to confusion and mishandling of chemicals, increasing the risk of accidents.

How to Avoid It: Use high-quality labels with large, clear fonts that are easy to read from a distance. Ensure that the text is bold and contrasts well with the background color of the label. Consider using durable materials that resist fading or wear over time, especially in harsh environments.

Tip: Invest in high-quality, OSHA-compliant labels designed to be legible and long-lasting. Many suppliers offer labels that meet regulatory standards and are built to withstand exposure to chemicals, moisture, and abrasion.

4. Incomplete or Missing Information

Mistake: A chemical label must contain all of the required information, including product identifiers, signal words, hazard statements, precautionary statements, and supplier details. Sometimes, businesses accidentally leave out one or more of these key elements, which can lead to compliance issues and safety risks.

How to Avoid It: Double-check that your labels include all the required components. According to OSHA guidelines, your label must feature:

• Product Identifier: The name or number assigned to the chemical.
• Signal Word: A word that indicates the severity of the hazard (e.g., “Danger” or “Warning”).
• Hazard Statements: Descriptions of the chemical’s hazards.
• Pictograms: Visual representations of the hazard.
• Precautionary Statements: Recommended safety measures (e.g., "Wear gloves").
• Supplier Information: The name and contact information of the manufacturer or distributor.

Tip: Use a label template or a labeling system that ensures all required fields are automatically included, reducing the chance of missing important information.

5. Failure to Label Secondary Containers

Mistake: A secondary container is any container that holds a chemical that has been transferred from its original packaging, such as a spray bottle or small storage container. Many businesses fail to label secondary containers properly, which can lead to confusion and hazardous exposure to chemicals.

How to Avoid It: Every secondary container must be labeled with the same information as the original chemical container. Ensure that all secondary containers have the same product identifiers, hazard warnings, and precautionary statements as the original packaging.

Tip: Label secondary containers immediately after transferring chemicals to prevent forgetting to label them. Make sure the label is securely attached and clearly visible.

Conclusion

Avoiding these common chemical labeling mistakes is essential to maintaining workplace safety and staying OSHA compliant. By ensuring your labels are accurate, up-to-date, legible, complete, and applied to all containers (including secondary ones), you can prevent accidents and protect your employees.

To make the process easier, consider using OSHA-compliant chemical labels from trusted suppliers like ChemicalSafetyLabels.com. We offer high-quality, durable labels designed to meet OSHA’s strict guidelines, helping you stay compliant with minimal effort.

If you need help choosing the right labels for your business or have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out! Let’s ensure your workplace is safe and compliant with properly labeled chemicals.