8/15/2020 Job Aid: HMIS® Labels and Requirement Levels

Job Aid

HMIS® Labels and Requirement Levels

Purpose: Use this job aid to interpret Hazardous Material Identification System (HMIS®) labels relative to the color bars and
numeric hazard scale, and learn how the labels specify the level of required personal protective equipment (PPE).

HMIS® labels contain color bars that indicate the type of hazard and use a single numeric system to rank the level of hazard
on a scale of 0 to 4.

HMIS® Label Information

Color Bars Numeric Scale

Blue = Health (an * indicates a carcinogen) 4 = severe hazard

Red = Flammability 3 = serious hazard

Orange = Physical hazard 2 = moderate hazard

White = PPE 1 = slight hazard

0 = minimal hazard

A sample HMIS® label

In this example, the HMIS® label tells us that oil-based paint is a severe carcinogenic health hazard. It has a moderate
flammability hazard and poses minimal physical hazards. The letter H in the Personal Protection field tells us that the PPE
required when working with oil-based paints are safety glasses, gloves, protective apron, and a vapor respirator. These are
illustrated by logos 1, 2, 3, and 7 respectively.

HMIS®-required PPE

If the letter in the PPE This is the required PPE: Images of the PPE included in the
field is this: category, by number:

A Safety glasses 1

B Safety glasses and gloves 1, 2

C Safety glasses, gloves, and a protective apron 1, 2, 3

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8/15/2020 Job Aid: HMIS® Labels and Requirement Levels

If the letter in the PPE This is the required PPE: Images of the PPE included in the
field is this: category, by number:

D Face shield, gloves, and a protective apron 2, 3, 5

E Safety glasses, gloves, and a dust respirator 1, 2, 6

F Safety glasses, gloves, protective apron, and a dust 1, 2, 3, 6

respirator

G Safety glasses, gloves, and a vapor respirator 1, 2, 7

H Safety glasses, gloves, protective apron, and a vapor 1, 2, 3, 7

respirator

I Safety glasses, gloves, and a dust or vapor respirator 1, 2, 6, 7

J Splash goggles, gloves, protective apron, and a dust or 2, 3, 6, 7, 10

vapor respirator

K Airline hood or mask, gloves, full suit, and boots 2, 4, 8, 9

L through Z Site-specific label; ask your supervisor or safety specialist

for handling instructions

HMIS® required PPE categories

Course: Hazard Communication: An Employee's Right to Know

Topic: Warning Labels

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