REACTIVITYPERSONAL PROTECTION

FLAMMABILITY

HEALTH

Hazardous Materials Information System

The Hazardous Materials Information System (HMIS) is a color andnumber system. The system uses a color-coded square with four rows inwhich numbers are used to signal the degree of health hazard, flammabilityhazard, and reactivity hazard. A letter in the bottom row is used to indicatethe personal protective equipment that should be used with the chemical.Refer to the HMIS Personal Protection Index. An asterisk (*) indicateschronic health hazards are associated with the chemical.

HazardRating

Health Hazard(blue)

Flammability Hazard(red)

Reactivity Hazard(yellow)

4SevereHazard

Substance considered highlytoxic under OSHA’s HazardCommunication Standard.

Substance considered a flammableliquid under OSHA’s HazardCommunication Standard.

Substance that in itself is readilycapable of detonation or explosivedecomposition or explosivedecomposition or explosive reactionat normal temperatures andpressures. This includes substancesthat are sensitive to localizedthermal or mechanical shock atnormal temperatures and pressures.Substance considered explosiveunder OSHA’s HazardCommunication Standard.

3SeriousHazard

Substance considered highlytoxic under OSHA’s HazardCommunication Standard.Substances can be severelyirritating or corrosive to skin.Substances can be corrosive andcause irreversible destruction toeyes.

Substance considered a flammableliquid under OSHA’s HazardCommunication Standard.

Substance that in itself is capable ofdetonation or explosive reaction, butthat require a strong initiating sourceor must be heated underconfinement before initiation.Substance considered explosiveunder OSHA’s HazardCommunication Standard.

2ModerateHazard

Substance considered toxicunder OSHA’s HazardCommunication Standard.Substances moderately irritatingand considered to be a primaryskin irritant or sensitizer.Substances moderately toseverely irritating to the eyes.May be reversible.

Substance considered a combustibleliquid under OSHA’s HazardCommunication Standard.

Substance normally undergoes aviolent chemical change at elevatedtemperatures and pressures.Substance considered explosiveunder OSHA’s HazardCommunication Standard.

1Slight

Hazard

Substance not considered toxicunder OSHA’s HazardCommunication Standard.Substances slightly or mildlyirritating to the skin. Slightly ormildly irritating to the eyes andreversible within 7 days.

Substance considered a combustibleliquid under OSHA’s HazardCommunication Standard.

Normally stable material butbecomes unstable at elevatedtemperatures and pressures.Substance considered explosiveunder OSHA’s HazardCommunication Standard.

0MinimalHazard

Substance not considered toxicunder OSHA’s HazardCommunication Standard.Essentially non-irritating to theskin and eyes.

Substance will not burn. Substance notconsidered flammable or combustibleunder OSHA’s Hazard CommunicationStandard.

Normally stable materials that donot react with water. Substance notconsidered explosive under OSHA’sHazard Communication Standard.

HMIS Personal Protection Index

A Safety glasses

B + Safety glasses and gloves

C + + Safety glasses, gloves, and apron

D + +

Face shield, eye protection, gloves, and apron

E + + Safety glasses, gloves, dust respirator

F + + + Safety glasses, gloves, apron, and dust respirator

G + + Safety glasses, gloves, vapor respirator

H + + + Splash goggles, gloves, apron, and vapor respirator

I + + Safety glasses, gloves, dust and vapor respirator

J + + + Splash goggles, gloves, apron, dust and vapor respirator

K + + +

Airline hood or mask, gloves, full suit, and boots

A - Safetyglasses

N - Splashgoggles O – Face Shield

& Eye Protection

P - Gloves Q - Boots R- Apron

S – Full Suit T – Dustmask

U – VaporRespirator

W – Dust & VaporRespirator

Y- Full FaceRespirator

Z – AirlineHood or Mask