SDS Home About Books Demystifier FAQ Find SDS Fun HyperGlossary Poll Regulations Software Suppliers
(Click me to learn more about these resources)

Definition

Pictograms are pictorial symbols for a word, phrase, object, or concept. Some familiar examples are the silhouette of man or woman to indicate the location of a restroom and the "No Smoking" signs that have the image of a lit cigarette with a red slash and circle.

Additional Info

The word pictograph is a variant of "pictogram" and is sometimes used interchangeably. There are differences between the two terms, however they appear finely nuanced depending on many factors and as far as we know there is no clearcut differentiation. Some interpret pictograph to apply specifically to graphical data or even to rock drawings (which are more accurately described as petroglyphs).

SDS Relevance

Paragraph (c) of 29 CFR 1910.1200, the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, the primary regulation concerning (material) safety data sheets in the US, defines a pictogram as "a composition that may include a symbol plus other graphic elements, such as a border, background pattern, or color, that is intended to convey specific information about the hazards of a chemical. Eight pictograms are designated under this standard for application to a hazard category."

Appropriate pictograms are a required label element on any material shipped from a chemical manufacturer, importer or other "responsible party". Appendix C of the Standard explains the required label elements and paragraph C.2.3 specifically states:

C.2.3.1 Pictograms shall be in the shape of a square set at a point and shall include a black hazard symbol on a white background with a red frame sufficiently wide to be clearly visible. A square red frame set at a point without a hazard symbol is not a pictogram and is not permitted on the label.

C.2.3.2 One of eight standard hazard symbols shall be used in each pictogram. The eight hazard symbols are depicted in Figure C.1. A pictogram using the exclamation mark symbol is presented in Figure C.2, for the purpose of illustration.

C.2.3.3 Where a pictogram required by the Department of Transportation under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations appears on a shipped container, the pictogram specified in C.4 for the same hazard shall not appear.

Note: The Standard does not require the use of pictograms on the SDS itself, although most responsible manufacturers will do so to preserve the correspondence between a substance's SDS and label.

The 8 GHS pictograms incorporate 16 physical, 10 health, and 3 environmental hazards. The hazard classification process that is used to assess the chemical may indicate the use of a given pictogram more than once, however, the label should bear no more than one instance of each pictogram (see Appendix C of the HazCom Standard, paragraph C.2.3.1), and each pictogram should be sufficiently large to be "clearly visible" (Appendix C, paragraph C.4).

Pictogram and Descriptor	Hazard Class and Category	Safety Emporium Item #
Exploding Bomb	Unstable explosives Explosives: Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 Self-reactive substances and mixtures: Types A and B Organic peroxides: Types A and B	03602
Flame	Flammable gases: category 1 Flammable aerosols: categories 1 and 2 Flammable liquids: categories 1, 2 and 3 Flammable solids: categories 1 and 2 Self-reactive substances and mixtures: Types B, C, D, E, and F Pyrophoric liquids: category 1 Pyrophoric solids: category 1 Self-heating substances and mixtures: categories 1 and 2 Substances and mixtures, which in contact with water, emit flammable gases: categories 1, 2, and 3 Organic peroxides: Types B, C, D, E, and F	03600
Flame Over Circle	Oxidizing gases: category 1 Oxidizing liquids: categories 1, 2, and 3	03601
Gas Cylinder	Gases under pressure, including compressed gases, liquified gases, refrigerated liquified gases, and dissolved gases.	03604
Corrosion	Corrosive to metals: category 1 Skin corrosion: categories 1A, 1B, and 1C Serious eye damage: category 1	03603
Skull and Crossbones	Acute toxicity (oral, dermal or inhalation): categories 1,2,3	03605
Exclamation Mark	Acute toxicity (oral, dermal or inhalation): category 4 Skin irritation: category 2 Eye irritation: category 2 Skin sensitization: category 1 Specific Target Organ Toxicity (Single exposure): category 3	03608
Health Hazard	Respiratory sensitization: category 1 Germ cell mutagenicity: categories 1A, 1B, and 2 Carcinogenicity: categories 1A, 1B, and 2 Reproductive toxicity: categories 1A, 1B, and 2 Specific Target Organ Toxicity (Single exposure): categories 1 and 2 Specific Target Organ Toxicity (Repeated exposure): categories 1 and 2 Aspiration Hazard, category 1	03606
Environmental	Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Acute hazard): category 1 Hazardous to the aquatic environment (Chronic hazard): categories 1 and 2	03607

Some pictograms take precedence over others. Per paragraph C.2.1 of Appendix C of the HazCom Standard:

Further Reading

• Hazard Communication Pictograms are available in high resolution EPS, JPG and PNG format from OSHA's web site.
• The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) also has GIF, EPS, and TIFF graphics that include transportation placard/pictograms.
• OSHA has a simpler summary of what hazards the pictograms represent that omits the category information for quicker comprehension.
• Canada's CCOHS has a similar summary available in convenient poster form that you can print out and post in the workplace.
• Globally Harmonized System (GHS) at Aldrich (a major research chemical manufacturer) explains pictogram elements in the context of SDS's and labels.

See also: DOT, EINECS number, NSN and NIIN's, UN/NA numbers.

Additional definitions from Google and OneLook.

---

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is believed to be true and accurate, however ILPI makes no guarantees concerning the veracity of any statement. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. ILPI strongly encourages the reader to consult the appropriate local, state and federal agencies concerning the matters discussed herein.