Chemical Risk & Safety Phrases

It is known as risk and safety statement. If you work in a wood furniture production environment, there are lots of chemicals exposure around you that can easily enter the body and endanger your health and safety at work.
Paint and other finishing materials, various types of wood glue, wood preservative solutions, and other cleaning agents are example of chemicals that might contains dangerous substances. Therefore, it is important for you to know the chemical safety codes and phrases that are usually written on cans or containers with safety labels.

For an example, Hydrochloric Acid has a risk type of R: 34-37 which means it contains a risk of 'fire (on skin)' and 'respiratory system irritation'. Information about this risk and safety cautions MUST be included in the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) of chemical.

When the chemical's risk list is included in the MSDS, it will be very useful for users to immediately take preventive actions wherever there are chemicals or hazardous substances exposure. In the wood industry, the MSDS must be available at the storage place and translated into local language.


Below are list of codes that have been used internationally.

R1: Explosive when dry.
R2: Risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other source of ignition.
R3: Extreme risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition.
R4: Forms very sensitive explosive metallic compounds.
R5: Heating may cause an explosion.
R6: Explosive with or without contact with air.
R7: May cause fire.
R8: Contact with combustible material may cause fire.
R9: Explosive when mixed with combustible material.
R10: Flammable.
R11: Highly flammable.
R12: Extremely flammable.
R13: Extremely flammable liquefied gas
R14: Reacts violently with water.
R15: Contact with water liberates extremely flammable gases.
R16: Explosive when mixed with oxidizing substances.
R17: Spontaneously flammable in air.
R18: In use, may form inflammable/explosive vapour-air mixture.
R19: May form explosive peroxides.
R20: Harmful by inhalation.
R21: Harmful in contact with skin.
R22: Harmful if swallowed.
R23: Toxic by inhalation.
R24: Toxic in contact with skin.
R25: Toxic if swallowed.
R26: Very toxic by inhalation.
R27: Very toxic in contact with skin.
R28: Very toxic if swallowed.
R29: Contact with water liberates toxic gas.
R30: Can become highly flammable in use.
R31: Contact with acids liberates toxic gas.
R32: Contact with acid liberates very toxic gas.
R33: Danger of cumulative effects.
R34: Causes burns.
R35: Causes severe burns.
R36: Irritating to eyes.
R37: Irritating to respiratory system.
R38: Irritating to skin.
R39: Danger of very serious irreversible effects.



R40: Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect.
R41: Risk of serious damage to the eyes.
R42: May cause sensitization by inhalation.
R43: May cause sensitization by skin contact.
R44: Risk of explosion if heated under confinement.
R45: May cause cancer.
R46: May cause heritable genetic damage.
R47: May cause birth defects
R48: Danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure.
R49: May cause cancer by inhalation.
R50: Very toxic to aquatic organisms.
R51: Toxic to aquatic organisms.
R52: Harmful to aquatic organisms.
R53: May cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
R54: Toxic to flora.
R55: Toxic to fauna.
R56: Toxic to soil organisms.
R57: Toxic to bees.
R58: May cause long-term adverse effects in the environment.
R59: Dangerous to the ozone layer.
R60: May impair fertility.
R61: May cause harm to the unborn child.
R62: Risk of impaired fertility.
R63: Possible risk of harm to the unborn child.
R64: May cause harm to breastfed babies.
R65: Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed.
R66: Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking.
R67: Vapors may cause drowsiness and dizziness.
R68: Possible risk of irreversible effects.