Chemical Hazard Signs — Buyer's Guide (GHS + HAZCHEM)
Chemical hazard signs cover two parallel systems in Australia: GHS (Globally Harmonised System) 9 pictograms for workplace chemical identification, and HAZCHEM 4-digit placards for dangerous-goods transport and storage above manifest thresholds. Most workplaces need both.
This buyer guide focuses on the practical signage — which signs to buy for which chemical storage quantities, what materials survive chemical-store environments, and how to pair GHS, HAZCHEM and AS 1319 correctly. For the full regulatory detail, see our GHS hub.
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Browse chemical hazard signs
GHS pictograms, HAZCHEM placards, Danger-flammable, toxic, corrosive, oxidising — compliant for workplace and transport.
The 9 GHS pictograms
- Flame (flammables)
- Flame over circle (oxidising)
- Exploding bomb (explosives + self-reactive)
- Gas cylinder (compressed gases)
- Corrosion (skin/eye corrosive + metals)
- Skull & crossbones (acute toxicity)
- Exclamation mark (harmful, irritant)
- Health hazard (carcinogens, respiratory sensitisers)
- Environment (aquatic-hazardous)
Chemical store signage stack
A typical chemical-store door needs: AS 1319 Danger sign ('Hazardous Chemicals Stored'), GHS pictograms of primary hazards present, prohibition signs (no smoking, no naked flames), and — above manifest thresholds — a HAZCHEM 4-digit placard on the external wall for fire-service response. All signs must be in chemical-resistant materials.
Written by
Platinum Signs
Sydney-based commercial signage manufacturer
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