National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) Diamond

NFPA 704, Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response, specifies the identification requirements for hazardous materials that provides a simple, readily recognized, and easily understood system of markings that provides a general idea of the hazards of a material and the severity of the hazards as they relate to emergency response. This system is intended to aid first responders.

NFPA 704 hazard identification system is characterized by a diamond. It identifies the degree of severity of the health (blue, 9'oclock position), flammability (red, 12'oclock position), and instability hazards (yellow, 3'oclock position) and any special hazards (white, 6'oclock position). The degree of severity is indicated by a numerical rating ranging from zero (0) indicating a minimal hazard to four (4) indicating a severe hazard. The special or specific hazards is not always filled.

NFPA70 hazard identification

Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS) Label is a voluntary-labeling system in the United States intended for workplaces that contain hazardous chemicals. The HMIS label is similar to the NFPA diamond in the coloring of the hazards and the rating of the severity of the hazards (0 through 4). Health is blue, flammability is red, and reactivity or instability is yellow. However, instead of a special hazard, a section for personal protection is included and uses an index of A through K, plus X to indicate what personal protective equipment (PPE) is required. The PPE index is below.

Chemical Hygene Plan - Table of Contents