What are the penalties for improper labeling?

A serious labeling violation of 29 CFR 1910.1200 can exceed $16,000 per instance, and repeated or willful labeling failures can climb past $165,000. Labeling is one of the most frequently cited parts of the Hazard Communication Standard.

Can I use my own workplace labeling system?

Employers may use alternative in-house labels for workplace containers as long as they convey the same hazard information, are consistent with the SDS, and workers are trained on the system. Shipped containers from suppliers must carry full GHS labels.

Who is responsible for labeling chemicals on site?

Manufacturers must label shipped containers, and employers must ensure workplace containers — including secondary containers — stay properly labeled. Any worker who transfers a chemical is responsible for labeling the new container immediately.

How accurate is OSHA Scan at detecting labeling problems?

OSHA Scan reads container labels and GHS pictograms, flagging missing signal words, absent pictograms, faded text, and unmarked secondary containers. It cites 29 CFR 1910.1200 so labeling gaps are caught during a routine photo review.

OSHA Scan

The Wrong Label Sends Workers Into the Wrong Hazard

If the container lies, the crew pays for it

A mislabeled or unlabeled chemical container is a trap: a worker grabs what they think is water and gets acid, or uses a solvent near an ignition source because no pictogram warned them. OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard requires every container to carry accurate GHS information, and OSHA Scan reviews your photos to read labels, flag missing pictograms and signal words, and catch unmarked secondary containers before they cause harm.

Improper chemical labeling is any container of a hazardous chemical that lacks the required GHS information or carries information that is wrong, faded, or contradictory. A compliant label needs the product identifier, signal word, hazard statements, precautionary statements, pictograms, and the supplier identification — all legible and matching the contents.
On real sites this shows up as a spray bottle of degreaser labeled only 'cleaner,' a drum whose original label has weathered to nothing, or a secondary container filled from a bulk supply with no marking at all. It also appears when a container is reused for a different chemical but the old label is left in place, actively misleading anyone who reads it.
The hazard is that workers trust the label. A missing pictogram means no warning about flammability or corrosivity; a wrong label means confident handling of the wrong substance. Because the mistake is baked into the container itself, it travels with the chemical wherever it goes — which is exactly why reading and verifying labels from photos is so effective.

What information must be on a GHS chemical label?

A compliant label needs six elements: the product identifier, a signal word (Danger or Warning), hazard statements, precautionary statements, pictograms, and the supplier's name and contact information. All must be legible and match the container's contents and its SDS.

Do secondary containers need labels?

Yes, in almost every case. When a chemical is transferred into a secondary container, it must be labeled with at least the product identifier and hazard information. The only exception is a portable container used immediately by the worker who filled it and emptied within the same shift.

What are the GHS pictograms and what do they mean?

GHS uses standardized red-bordered diamond pictograms for hazards such as flammable, corrosive, toxic, health hazard, oxidizer, and compressed gas. Each communicates a hazard class at a glance so workers can take the right precautions before handling the chemical.

What happens if a label is faded or damaged?

A container whose label is illegible is treated as unlabeled and is a violation. The container must be relabeled with all required GHS information, verified against the SDS, before it is used or moved.