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GHS Pictograms on Chemical Labels (HazCom)

GHS pictograms are the red-bordered diamond symbols on chemical labels. Each one stands for a type of hazard, like fire, corrosion or acute toxicity. OSHA's Hazard Communication standard uses them on shipped container labels and safety data sheets. OSHA's quick card shows nine pictograms; eight are required under the standard and the environment pictogram is non-mandatory. This guide lists all nine, what each means, and the other label parts that go with them.

Updated October 14, 2026 · Checked against the official sources listed at the end

What a pictogram is

The standard defines a pictogram as a symbol plus other graphic elements, such as a border, background pattern or color, meant to convey specific information about a chemical's hazards. It says eight pictograms are designated under the standard (29 CFR 1910.1200(c)).

OSHA's pictogram quick card describes the look: a symbol on a white background inside a red border. The pictogram on a label is set by the chemical's hazard classification. Each pictogram may appear only once on a label, even when more than one hazard calls for it.

The nine pictograms and what they mean

From OSHA's quick card (OSHA 3491-08R, 2024):

Health hazard (a person's outline with a starburst on the chest): carcinogen, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, respiratory sensitizer, target organ toxicity, aspiration toxicity.
Flame: flammables, pyrophorics, self-heating, emits flammable gas, self-reactives, organic peroxides, desensitized explosives.
Exclamation mark: irritant (skin and eye), skin sensitizer, acute toxicity (harmful), narcotic effects, respiratory tract irritant, plus two non-mandatory uses: hazard not otherwise classified and hazardous to the ozone layer.
Gas cylinder: gases under pressure and chemicals under pressure.
Corrosion: skin corrosion or burns, eye damage, corrosive to metals.
Exploding bomb: explosives, self-reactives, organic peroxides.
Flame over circle: oxidizers.
Environment (non-mandatory): aquatic toxicity.
Skull and crossbones: acute toxicity (fatal or toxic).

Pictograms that are easy to mix up

Flame vs flame over circle. Flame means the chemical itself can burn. Flame over circle means an oxidizer, which can make other materials burn more strongly.
Exclamation mark vs skull and crossbones. Both cover acute toxicity. The exclamation mark is for "harmful." The skull and crossbones is for "fatal or toxic," the more severe end.
Health hazard vs exclamation mark. The health hazard symbol covers serious longer-term effects such as cancer or reproductive toxicity. The exclamation mark covers irritation, sensitization and similar effects.

The rest of the label

A pictogram is one of six things a shipped container label must have under 1910.1200(f)(1):

Product identifier.
Signal word.
Hazard statement(s).
Pictogram(s).
Precautionary statement(s).
Name, U.S. address and U.S. phone number of the manufacturer, importer or other responsible party.

Signal words and statements

The standard uses two signal words. "Danger" is for the more severe hazards, and "Warning" is for the less severe.

A hazard statement describes the nature of the hazard, including its degree where appropriate. A precautionary statement describes recommended measures to minimize or prevent harm from exposure or from improper storage or handling. Read the pictograms together with these statements. The symbol tells you the type of hazard. The words tell you how bad it is and what to do.

Pictograms on safety data sheets and workplace labels

Section 2 of a safety data sheet lists the pictograms too. OSHA's SDS brief says they may appear as black-and-white graphics or as the name of the symbol, such as "skull and crossbones" or "flame." See our guide on how to read a safety data sheet.

Containers used inside the workplace have their own rule. The employer must label each container with either the full shipped-container information or the product identifier plus words, pictures or symbols that give at least general information about the hazards, used together with the other information employees can get under the hazard communication program (1910.1200(f)(6)).

What HazCom training must cover about labels

Employee training must include an explanation of the labels received on shipped containers and the workplace labeling system the employer uses (1910.1200(h)(3)(iv)). Training is due at initial assignment and whenever a new chemical hazard is introduced into the work area (1910.1200(h)(1)).

Good training also connects each pictogram to action. A corrosion symbol should prompt a worker to check Section 8 of the safety data sheet for eye and skin protection. A flame symbol should prompt a check of storage and ignition sources in Section 7.

A general course can teach the nine pictograms. Only the employer can show workers its own chemicals and its own workplace labeling system. Our HazCom training guide covers the timing rules.

Pact's HazCom course

Pact sells the HazCom course for $24.95. HazCom is an online certification course from ProTrainings. Confirm with your program or clinical site that this course meets its requirements before you enroll. ProTrainings makes and runs the course, and Pact sells it and handles your order. OSHA says it does not approve, certify, or endorse individual trainers or training programs. Buyers must be 18 or older, and all sales are final.

Common questions

How many GHS pictograms are there?

OSHA's quick card shows nine. Eight are designated under OSHA's Hazard Communication standard, and the environment pictogram is non-mandatory.

What color are GHS pictograms?

A symbol on a white background inside a red border, per OSHA's quick card. On a safety data sheet, they may be shown in black and white or by name.

Can the same pictogram appear twice on a label?

No. OSHA's quick card says each pictogram may only appear once on a label, even if more than one hazard calls for it.

What does the exclamation mark pictogram mean?

Irritant (skin and eye), skin sensitizer, acute toxicity (harmful), narcotic effects or respiratory tract irritant, among others.

What is the difference between "Danger" and "Warning"?

Both are signal words. "Danger" is used for the more severe hazards and "Warning" for the less severe.