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COSHH hazard symbols explained
Tap the red-diamond symbols on your product label to see what each one means, the typical precautions, and whether you need a COSHH assessment. Or paste the H-codes from the safety data sheet to decode them.
1. Which symbols are on the label?
Select every symbol you can see. Simplified drawings of the official GB CLP pictograms.
2. Decode H-codes from the safety data sheet
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Next step
Turn the SDS into a COSHH assessment
Upload the safety data sheet or search for the product, and EasyCOSHH drafts the assessment for you to check and sign off. Your first 5 are free when you create an account.
Create a COSHH assessmentAlso useful
Need the written COSHH policy too?
Clients and tenders often ask for a COSHH policy alongside your assessments. Our sister site, companypolicies.ai, has a UK COSHH policy template as PDF and Word.
Questions
What do the red diamond hazard symbols mean?
They are the GHS hazard pictograms used on labels under GB CLP. There are nine: explosive, flammable, oxidising, gas under pressure, corrosive, acute toxicity (skull and crossbones), harmful or irritant (exclamation mark), serious health hazard and hazardous to the environment. Each one tells you the type of hazard; the H-statements on the label and in section 2 of the safety data sheet give the detail.
Which hazard symbols mean I need a COSHH assessment?
The health symbols: corrosion, skull and crossbones, exclamation mark and health hazard. If a product carries any of these, COSHH applies and you need to assess the risk; with five or more employees you must write down the significant findings. Flame, exploding bomb, flame over circle and gas cylinder are physical hazards covered mainly by DSEAR, and the environment symbol affects storage and disposal. A product with no symbol can still need assessing if it creates dust, fumes or frequent wet work.
What is the difference between Danger and Warning on a label?
They are the two CLP signal words. Danger is used for the more severe hazard categories and Warning for the less severe ones. A label shows only one signal word, the most severe that applies.
What happened to the old orange square hazard symbols?
They were replaced by the red-diamond CLP pictograms, and the transition ended in 2017. If you still have products with orange square labels, ask the supplier for a current safety data sheet and base your COSHH assessment on that.
Where do I find the H-codes for a product?
In section 2 of the safety data sheet (Hazards identification), and usually printed on the label next to the pictograms. They look like H315 or EUH066. Paste them into the checker above to see what they mean.
Important
General guidance, not professional advice. Always check the supplier's safety data sheet and label for the exact product you use. For high-risk substances (carcinogens, asbestos, lead, respiratory sensitisers such as isocyanates) use a competent person. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by HSE.