How to Read HMIS Labels

Blank HMIS label

The Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS) was created so that workers whose jobs required them to work with or near hazardous materials would be able to quickly determine the nature of the hazard and the specific precautions that should be heeded. The system ranks the severity of hazardous materials in three categories, and states the optimal configuration of safety equipment for working with the material.

Instructions

1. Look at the top of the HMIS label. In the white field, you will see the name of the hazardous material to which the rest of the information on the label applies. You may see multiple labels in one location; this is an indication that multiple hazardous materials are present, and the danger posed by the materials may not be the same across the board.

2. Check the number in the blue bar, which will be between 0 and 4, with 4 being the most severe. This number represents the type of health hazard related to accidental exposure to the material. You should also look for the presence of an asterisk (*) in this bar; if you see one, it means the hazard involves chronic health risks. For a detailed description of what each number level says about the health hazard, check the reference chart linked to in the Resources section of this article.

3. Check the number in the red bar, which will also be between 0 and 4. This number represents the flammability of the hazardous material, with 0 representing a material that is not flammable at all, and with 4 representing highly volatile materials that may ignite upon contact with the atmosphere. Detailed descriptions of each level can also be found on the reference chart.

4. Look at the number in the orange bar, which represents the physical hazard associated with the material. Ranked from 0 to 4, 0 represents a material that is stable under normal conditions, and 4 represents one that is highly reactive. The reference chart includes detailed descriptions of each numerical level.

5. Check the code in the white bar at the bottom of the label. This alphabetical code represents the configuration of safety equipment that should be used when working with the material. Letters A through K are standardized, and represent different combinations of safety goggles, gloves, aprons, face shields, respirators and chemical full body suits; the specific meanings of all the codes are included on the reference chart. Letters L though Z, if present, represent custom configurations of safety equipment that are specified by the entity that issued the label. As you will see on the reference chart, lowercase letters from L to Z may also be used to represent individual pieces of equipment.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• HMIS Reference Chart