The Hazardous Materials Information System (HMIS) labeling system for materials developed by the National Paint and Coatings Association.
Label in the form of a column with four subunits:
Color |
Location |
Meaning |
---|---|---|
blue |
apical |
health |
red |
second |
flammability |
yellow |
third |
reactivity |
white |
basal |
personal protective index |
Blue: Health Hazard
Key |
Risk of Possible Injury |
Description |
---|---|---|
4 |
severe hazard |
Life-threatening, major or permanent damage may occur from a single or repeated exposure. |
3 |
serious hazard |
Material can cause major injury unless prompt action is taken and medical treatment administered. |
2 |
moderate hazard |
Material may cause temporary or minor injury. |
1 |
slight hazard |
Material may cause irritation or minor reversible injury. |
0 |
minimal hazard |
Material poses no significant risk to health. |
Red: Flammability
Key |
Susceptibility of Material to Burning |
Description |
---|---|---|
4 |
severe hazard |
Includes very flammable gases or very volatile, flammable liquids. |
3 |
serious hazard |
Material capable of ignition under almost all normal temperature conditions. |
2 |
moderate hazard |
Material must be moderately heated before ignition will occur. |
1 |
slight hazard |
Material must be preheated for ignition to occur. |
0 |
minimal hazard |
Material normally stable and will not burn unless heated. |
Yellow: Reactivity
Key |
Reactivity of Material |
Description |
---|---|---|
4 |
severe hazard |
Readily capable of detonation or explosive decomposition at normal temperatures and pressures. |
3 |
serious hazard |
Material capable of detonation or explosive reaction, but requires a strong initiating source, or must be heated under confinement before ignition. Reacts explosively with water. |
2 |
moderate hazard |
Material normally unstable and may detonate. May react violently with water. |
1 |
slight hazard |
Material normally stable but can become unstable at high temperatures and pressures. May react with water but not with a violent release of energy. |
0 |
minimal hazard |
Material normally stable even under fire conditions and will not react with water. |
White: Personal Protective Index
Key |
Safety Glass-es |
Face Shield |
Splash Gog-gles |
Airline Hood or Mask |
Glove |
Syn-thetic Apron |
Dust Respi-rator |
Vapor Respi-rator |
Dust & Vapor Respi-rator |
Full Suit |
Boots |
A |
x |
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InfoSpecialty: Toxicology, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care |