Every chemical container on a New York City construction site must carry a GHS-compliant label — and every worker must be able to read it. Labels are the first line of defense when a worker needs to know quickly whether a product is flammable, corrosive, toxic, or safe to use without respiratory protection. Ignoring or misreading a chemical label is how people get hurt.

• 1. Product identifier: The chemical's name or code as it appears on the SDS — must match between label and SDS
• 2. Supplier identification: Manufacturer's name, address, and phone number — required for emergency contact
• 3. Signal word: "DANGER" (more severe) or "WARNING" (less severe) — these are defined terms, not marketing language
• 4. Hazard statement(s): Standardized phrases describing the hazard — "Flammable liquid and vapor," "Causes skin burns," etc.
• 5. Precautionary statement(s): What to do — "Wear protective gloves," "Keep away from heat/sparks," "Store in a well-ventilated place"
• 6. Pictogram(s): The GHS diamond symbols indicating the hazard category — all workers must recognize them

• When you transfer a chemical from its original container to a secondary container: the secondary container must be labeled
• Exception: if the secondary container is used immediately and emptied by the same worker in the same shift — label is not required but SDS knowledge is
• Never use unlabeled containers — even for short temporary transfers. An unlabeled container is a hazard waiting to injure someone on the next shift