Labels on chemical containers, hazardous materials, and equipment are the first line of communication about hazards in a performing arts facility. An unlabeled container is a hazard in itself — no one can make an informed decision about safe handling without knowing what is inside. Understanding the labeling systems that govern chemical products in the United States, and the facility-level labeling requirements that performing arts programs must maintain, is a fundamental safety competency.

The GHS Label: Anatomy and Requirements

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), implemented in the U.S. through OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), establishes a standardized format for chemical product labels. Since 2015, chemical manufacturers and distributors have been required to use GHS-format labels on shipped containers. A compliant GHS label contains six required elements:

• Product Identifier: the chemical name, trade name, or mixture name that identifies the product and links it to the corresponding Safety Data Sheet.
• Signal Word: either “DANGER” (for more severe hazards) or “WARNING” (for less severe hazards). A product with both acute and chronic hazards uses the signal word for the more severe hazard.
• Hazard Statements: standardized phrases that describe the nature of the hazard (e.g., “Flammable liquid and vapor,” “Causes serious eye damage,” “May cause cancer”). These phrases are assigned by hazard classification; each hazard class and category has a specific, code-numbered hazard statement.
• Precautionary Statements: standardized phrases that describe recommended measures to minimize or prevent adverse effects from the hazard. Categories include Prevention, Response (including first aid), Storage, and Disposal.
• GHS Pictograms: standardized symbols that visually communicate hazard categories. The nine GHS pictograms are enclosed in a red diamond border. Examples: flame (flammable), skull and crossbones (acute toxicity), health hazard (carcinogen, sensitizer, reproductive toxin), corrosion (corrosives), exclamation mark (irritant, narcotic).
• Supplier Information: name, address, and telephone number of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or responsible party.

The Nine GHS Pictograms and What They Mean

Performing arts workers should be able to identify the nine GHS pictograms at a glance:

• Flame: flammable gases, liquids, solids, pyrophorics, self-heating substances, self-reactives, and organic peroxides.
• Flame over circle: oxidizers. These substances accelerate combustion in other materials.
• Exploding bomb: explosives, self-reactive substances, and organic peroxides that can detonate.
• Skull and crossbones: acute toxicity (fatal or toxic by oral, dermal, or inhalation route). Products with this pictogram can cause death or serious injury from a single exposure.
• Health hazard (a silhouette with a starburst on the chest): substances causing carcinogenicity, respiratory sensitization, reproductive toxicity, target organ toxicity (specific or repeated), aspiration toxicity, or mutagenicity.
• Exclamation mark: less severe health hazards including skin and eye irritation, skin sensitization, narcotic effects, and hazardous to the ozone layer.
• Corrosion: substances that cause skin corrosion, serious eye damage, or are corrosive to metals.
• Environment: substances acutely or chronically hazardous to the aquatic environment.
• Gas cylinder: gases under pressure (compressed, liquefied, or dissolved gases). The cylinder can rupture if damaged or exposed to heat.

Secondary Container Labeling

When a chemical is transferred from its original manufacturer container into a secondary container for use in the facility (a squeeze bottle of solvent for brush cleaning, a smaller bottle of dye concentrate), the secondary container must also be labeled. OSHA HazCom requires that secondary containers be labeled with at least:

• The product name (matching the original container and SDS).
• Hazard information (either the full GHS label elements, or a simplified label with the signal word, hazard statements, and pictograms).

An unlabeled secondary container is an OSHA violation. “I know what’s in it” is not an acceptable substitute for a label — the next person to use the container may not know, and if the labeled person is not available (or is incapacitated by the chemical’s effects), an unlabeled container provides no information to emergency responders.

Specific Labeling Requirements in Performing Arts

Flammable Materials Labels

Containers of flammable liquids (paint thinner, contact cement, acetone, isopropyl alcohol above threshold concentration) must be labeled with the GHS flammable liquid pictogram and hazard statements. Additionally, storage areas for flammable materials must be marked with “FLAMMABLE — NO SMOKING — NO OPEN FLAMES” signage visible from the entry point. Approved flammable materials cabinets must be labeled “FLAMMABLE — KEEP FIRE AWAY.”

Compressed Gas Cylinder Labels

Compressed gas cylinders (welding gases, CO2 for fog machines, dry ice handling) must retain their original manufacturer labels. A cylinder whose label has been removed or has become illegible must be taken out of service and returned to the supplier. Never use an unlabeled cylinder. Valve caps must be kept on cylinders when not in use.

Pipe and System Labels

ANSI/ASME A13.1 (Scheme for the Identification of Piping Systems) governs the color coding and labeling of piping systems in industrial and commercial facilities. In performing arts facilities, this standard applies to:

• Natural gas supply lines (yellow background, hazardous material).
• Compressed air lines (blue background, compressed air).
• Fire suppression supply lines (red background, fire quenching).
• Domestic water supply (green background, potable water).

Pipes in a theater facility that are unlabeled or mislabeled create hazards when maintenance or emergency response personnel need to identify and isolate them. All exposed utility piping should be labeled per ANSI/ASME A13.1 or the equivalent local standard.

Electrical Safety Labels

OSHA and the NEC require specific labeling on electrical equipment and systems:

• Electrical panels must be labeled with the voltage, current rating, and a circuit directory identifying every breaker. A panel whose circuit directory is blank or inaccurate makes safe work on the electrical system impossible.
• “ARC FLASH HAZARD” labels (required by NFPA 70E on equipment with arc flash risk) must include the incident energy level, required PPE category, and arc flash boundary distance.
• “DANGER: HIGH VOLTAGE” labels are required on enclosures containing voltages over 600V.
• “LOCKOUT REQUIRED” tags must be applied to any energy source control (circuit breaker, disconnect, valve) during lockout/tagout procedures.

Equipment and Rigging Labels

All rigging hardware and lifting equipment used in theatrical rigging must be labeled with its Working Load Limit (WLL). This includes:

• Shackles: WLL is stamped on the shackle body by the manufacturer. If the marking is worn or illegible, the shackle is removed from service.
• Wire rope: labeled on the spool or drum by the manufacturer with rope type, diameter, and minimum breaking strength. Once cut from the spool, wire rope used in rigging should be tagged with a tag identifying its capacity.
• Chain: grade and WLL are marked on the chain links. Unmarked chain is treated as grade 30 (proof coil) and not used for overhead rigging.
• Slings: all manufactured slings must have a durable, legible tag showing the WLL for each hitch configuration (vertical, choker, basket), material, length, and the manufacturer’s name.
• Chain hoists: WLL label must be affixed to the hoist body and be legible. If the label has fallen off or become illegible, the hoist is removed from service until properly labeled.

Labeling Responsibilities in Educational Programs

In educational performing arts programs, consistent labeling must be established as a standard rather than a special task. Practical requirements:

• New chemical products: immediately check for GHS label compliance upon receipt. If a shipped product lacks a compliant label, contact the supplier.
• In-house containers: establish a standard for secondary container labels. Printed label templates or pre-printed label stock make compliance practical.
• Annual audit: conduct an annual walk-through of all chemical storage areas to identify unlabeled or illegibly labeled containers. Unlabeled containers with unidentifiable contents are disposed of as unknown waste through a licensed waste disposal contractor.
• Student training: include label reading in chemical safety training. Students who understand GHS pictograms can make independent safety decisions when working with chemicals.

Key Takeaways

• GHS labels on chemical products must include: product identifier, signal word, hazard statements, precautionary statements, pictograms, and supplier information. All six elements are required.
• Secondary containers (squeeze bottles, smaller decanted containers) must be labeled with at least the product name and hazard information. Unlabeled secondary containers are an OSHA violation.
• All rigging hardware (shackles, chain, slings, hoists) must have a legible WLL marking. Hardware with worn or illegible markings is removed from service.
• Electrical panels must have a current, accurate circuit directory. Panels with blank or inaccurate directories create unsafe working conditions.
• Compressed gas cylinders must retain their original labels. An unlabeled cylinder is returned to the supplier.
• Pipe and utility systems should be labeled per ANSI/ASME A13.1 to support emergency response and maintenance.

References

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Hazard communication. 29 CFR 1910.1200. U.S. Department of Labor.

United Nations. (2021). Globally harmonized system of classification and labelling of chemicals (GHS) (9th rev. ed.). United Nations.

American National Standards Institute / American Society of Mechanical Engineers. (2020). ANSI/ASME A13.1: Scheme for the identification of piping systems. ASME.

National Fire Protection Association. (2021). NFPA 70E: Standard for electrical safety in the workplace. NFPA.

American Society of Mechanical Engineers. (2022). ASME B30.9: Slings. ASME. (Sling labeling requirements)

Was this article helpful?

0 out of 5 stars

5 Stars		0%
4 Stars		0%
3 Stars		0%
2 Stars		0%
1 Stars		0%

5 Submit

Please Share Your Feedback

How Can We Improve This Article?

Name

Email

Submit