SDS Symbols

In addition to being written and described on SDS and labels, hazards are also represented by small pictures known as pictograms. The pictograms are meant to quickly convey what the potential hazards associated with a substance might be. The table below shows the pictograms that are used on SDS sheets and chemical labels.

Public Domain https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/pictograms/
The meaning of many of the pictograms is obvious, but some may be a little more difficult to figure out. Some of the more confusing labels are described below:

  • Oxidizer - a substance that will form an oxidation reaction with other substances. An oxidizing substance takes electrons from another substance.

  • Health Hazards - this label means that a substance can cause cancer, or is toxic to specific organs.

  • Corrosive - a substance that will damage other substances that it comes into contact with.

The video below shows an example of a corrosive substance:

For more complete information about each label, click on this link: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/HazComm_QuickCard_Pictogram.html