GHS Precautionary Statements

GHS Precautionary Statements

Clear Guidance on GHS Precautionary Statements for Safe Chemical Handling
Safe chemical handling requires more than identifying hazards. Workers must also know what actions to take to avoid harmful exposure, how to respond to emergencies, and how to store and dispose of chemicals correctly. Under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), these instructions appear as precautionary statements.
In the United States, OSHA incorporates GHS precautionary statements through the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), 29 CFR 1910.1200. Precautionary statements are a required part of every GHS-compliant shipped label and appear alongside:


Hazard statements describe what the hazard is. Precautionary statements describe what to do to reduce or prevent harm. Both are required for full OSHA compliance.

What is a GHS Precautionary Statement?

A precautionary statement is a mandatory, standardized phrase that describes safety measures for preventing or minimizing adverse effects from exposure to a hazardous chemical. These statements appear on shipped container labels and in Section 2 of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

Precautionary statements cover four areas:


  • Prevention

  • Response

  • Storage

  • Disposal

Because the language is standardized, workers receive consistent safety instructions regardless of supplier or industry.

Determining a Chemical’s Precautionary Statement

Precautionary statements are not chosen manually. They are assigned automatically based on the chemical’s official GHS hazard classification.

The manufacturer or importer determines:


1. GHS Hazard Class - This identifies the type of hazard, such as flammable liquid, skin irritation, respiratory sensitization, or carcinogenicity. A chemical can have several hazard classes.


2. GHS Hazard Category - This identifies the severity of the hazard within the class. Categories range from 1 (most severe) to 4 (least severe), depending on the hazard class.


Once the classification is established, the correct precautionary statements are taken directly from OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard Appendix C. Employers should rely on:


  • Section 2: Hazard Identification of the SDS

  • The manufacturer’s or supplier’s shipped label

When creating a workplace label for a secondary container used beyond immediate use, the precautionary statements must match the shipped label or SDS exactly, without being changed, shortened, combined, or paraphrased.

GHS Precautionary Statements List

Precautionary statements use the prefix P followed by three numbers. The number range indicates what type of safety action the statement addresses. Precautionary statements are grouped into four major categories:


  • P100–P199: General and Prevention Statements - Describe actions that help prevent exposure or minimize risks.

  • P200–P299: Response Statements - Describe emergency measures such as first aid, spill cleanup, and fire response.

  • P400–P499: Storage Statements - Describe conditions for safe chemical storage.

  • P500–P599: Disposal Statements - Describe safe disposal of chemicals and containers.

Below is the full list of precautionary statements organized by category. 

Note: The summaries below explain the intent of each OSHA-adopted precautionary statement.

For the exact required wording, refer to OSHA Hazard Communication Standard Appendix C:

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1200AppC 

General and Prevention Precautionary Statements

  • These statements provide actions to prevent exposure, reduce risks, and maintain safe conditions.

Code

Meaning Summary

P101
Have the label or container available when seeking medical advice.
P102
Keep out of reach of children.
P103
Read and follow all instructions carefully.
P201
Review all safety instructions before use.
P202
Do not handle until all safety precautions are understood.
P210
Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, and ignition sources.
P211
Do not spray toward flames or ignition sources.
P220
Keep away from combustible materials.
P221
Avoid heating or misuse that could initiate a reaction.
P222
Prevent contact with air.
P223
Prevent contact with water.
P230
Keep wetted as required.
P231
Handle and store under inert gas.
P232
Protect from moisture exposure.
P233

Keep the container tightly closed.

P234

Store only in the original container.

P235

Keep cool.

P240

Ground and bond containers and equipment.

P241

Use explosion-proof equipment.

P242

Use non-sparking tools.

P243

Take steps to prevent static discharge.

P244

Keep valves and fittings free from oil and grease.

P250
Do not subject to grinding, shock, or friction.
P251
Do not puncture or burn the container.
P260
Do not breathe dust, fumes, gas, mist, vapors, or spray.
P261

Avoid breathing airborne chemical forms.

P262
Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
P263
Avoid exposure during pregnancy or while nursing.
P264
Wash hands or exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
P265
Do not touch eyes.
P270
Do not eat, drink, or smoke while using this product.
P271
Use only outdoors or in well-ventilated areas.
P272
Do not take contaminated clothing outside the workplace.
P273
Avoid release to the environment.
P280
Wear appropriate protective equipment.
P282
Wear cold-insulating gloves and eye/face protection.
P283
Wear flame-resistant or flame-retardant clothing.
P284
Use respiratory protection if ventilation is inadequate.

Code

Meaning Summary

P231 + P232
Handle and store under inert gas and protect from moisture.
P264 + P265
Wash hands thoroughly and avoid touching eyes.

Response Precautionary Statements

These statements provide first aid steps and emergency measures for spills, exposure, inhalation, skin or eye contact, fires, or leaks.

Code

Meaning Summary

P301
Instructions apply if swallowed.
P302
Instructions apply if skin is exposed.
P303
Instructions apply if chemical contacts skin or hair.
P304
Instructions apply if inhaled.
P305
Instructions apply if chemical contacts eyes.
P306
Instructions apply if clothing is contaminated.
P308
Instructions apply if exposed or concerned.
P316
Seek immediate emergency medical help.
P317
Seek medical help if needed.
P318
Get medical advice if exposed or concerned.
P319
Get medical help if feeling unwell.
P320
Urgent, specific treatment may be required.
P321
Follow the specified treatment instructions.
P330
Rinse mouth.
P331

Do not induce vomiting.

P332

If skin irritation occurs, take appropriate response measures.

P333

If rash occurs, take appropriate action.

P334

Cool affected area with water or wet bandages.

P335

Brush off loose particles from skin.

P336

Warm frostbite gently with lukewarm water; do not rub.

P337

If eye irritation persists, seek further help.

P338

Remove contact lenses if easy to do; continue rinsing.

P340

Move person to fresh air and make breathing comfortable.
P342
If respiratory symptoms occur, take appropriate action.
P351
Rinse eyes with water for several minutes.
P352

Wash skin with plenty of water.

P353
Rinse skin or shower.
P354
Immediately rinse affected areas with water.
P360
Rinse contaminated clothing and skin with water before removing clothes.
P361
Remove all contaminated clothing.
P362
Take off contaminated clothing.
P363
Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
P364
Wash contaminated clothing before reuse (alternate).
P370
Instructions apply in case of fire.
P371
Instructions apply during major fires.
P372
Explosion risk warning.
P373
Do not fight fire involving explosives.
P375
Fight fire from a safe distance due to explosion risk.
P376
Stop leak if safe to do so.
P377
For gas fires: do not extinguish unless leak can be stopped safely.
P378
Use appropriate fire-extinguishing media.
P380
Evacuate the area.
P381
Eliminate ignition sources during leakage.
P390
Absorb spillage to prevent material damage.
P391
Collect spilled material.

Code

Meaning Summary

P301 + P316
If swallowed, seek emergency medical help.
P301 + P317
If swallowed, seek medical help.
P301 + P330 + P331
If swallowed: rinse mouth and do not induce vomiting.
P302 + P317
If on skin: get medical help.
P302 + P334
Cool skin with water.
P302 + P335 + P334
Brush off particles and cool skin.
P302 + P352
Wash skin with water.
P302 + P361 + P354
Remove contaminated clothing and rinse thoroughly.
P303 + P361 + P353
Remove contaminated clothing and rinse/shower.
P304 + P317
If inhaled, get medical help.
P304 + P340
Move to fresh air and keep comfortable.
P305 + P351 + P338
Rinse eyes carefully and remove contact lenses if easy.
P305 + P354 + P338
Immediately rinse eyes and remove contacts if easy.
P306 + P360
Rinse contaminated clothing and skin with water before removal.
P308 + P316

If exposed or concerned, get emergency medical help.

P332 + P317

If skin irritation occurs, get medical help.

P333 + P317

If rash occurs, get medical help.

P336 + P317

Warm frostbite gently and get medical help.

P337 + P317

If eye irritation persists, get medical help.

P342 + P316

If respiratory symptoms occur, get emergency medical help.

P361 + P364

Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse.

P362 + P364

Take off contaminated clothing and wash before reuse.

P370 + P376
For fires: stop leak if safe.
P370 + P378
For fires: use appropriate extinguishing media.
P370 + P380 + P375
Evacuate area and fight fire remotely.
P371 + P380 + P375

For major fires: evacuate and fight fire from a distance.

P370 + P372 + P380 + P373
Explosion risk: evacuate and do not fight fire involving explosives.

Storage Precautionary Statements

These statements describe the safe conditions needed to store chemicals.

Code

Meaning Summary

P401
Store according to supplier or regulatory requirements.
P402
Store in a dry place.
P403
Store in a well-ventilated area.
P404
Store in a closed container.
P405
Store locked up.
P406
Store in a corrosion-resistant container with an appropriate liner.
P407
Maintain adequate spacing between stacks or pallets.
P410
Protect from sunlight.
P411
Store at temperatures not exceeding the limit stated on the label/SDS.
P412
Do not expose to temperatures above 50 °C / 122 °F.
P420
Store separately from incompatible materials.

Code

Meaning Summary

P402 + P404
Store in a dry place and keep container closed.
P403 + P233
Store in a ventilated place and keep container tightly closed.
P403 + P235
Store in a ventilated place and keep cool.
P410 + P403
Protect from sunlight and store in a well-ventilated place.
P410 + P412
Protect from sunlight and avoid high temperatures.

Disposal Precautionary Statements

These statements describe how to properly dispose of chemicals and containers.

Code

Meaning Summary

P501
Dispose of contents and container according to local, regional, and national regulations.

Related Products

Preprinted GHS Compliant Labels
For facilities that need ready-to-use labels with GHS-compliant layouts and durable materials, GMP offers a full line of preprinted GHS labels designed for chemical environments. These labels support fast deployment, consistent formatting, and long-term readability.

Custom GHS Label Design Tool

Do you need labels tailored to your specific chemicals, facility, or workflow? Our Custom GHS Label Design Tool allows you to build compliant layouts with the correct pictograms, signal words, hazard statements, and precautionary statements pulled directly from OSHA criteria.

GHS Capable Label Printers

For high-volume or frequently changing labeling needs, we offer GHS-capable label printers that support on-demand, durable chemical labeling. Our printers help facilities keep containers clearly marked even as batches, processes, or workplace conditions change.

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