The NFPA Diamond

Eurek Mago A. Lumagui

Safety Officer
Overview

The NFPA Diamond is a standard for

the identification of the hazards of
Materials for Emergency Response.
Goals and Objectives

At the end of this seminar the learners

will have a better understanding on
what the NFPA Diamond is and its
application.
 MSDS = Material Safety Data
Sheet
 The MSDS lists the
chemical ingredients of
the substance.

 Some list only the

dangerous chemicals,
while others list every
ingredient, even if the
chemical is not
hazardous.
The Purpose of a MSDS is to tell you….
 Material’s Physical Properties
 Health Hazard Data
 Fire and Explosion Data
 Reactivity Data
 Spill & Leak Procedures
 Special Protection Information & protective gear needed
 Special Precautions / How to respond to accidents.
 Company Info for phone # of emergency contacts
Who Supplies MSDS to Product Users?

All manufacturers of hazardous

chemicals are required to provide
one of these sheets for all products
which they sell
Labeling and Marking Systems
NFPA-704 Diamonds
 Color coded &
numerical rating system
 Provide at-a-glance
hazard information
Labeling and Marking Systems
NFPA-704 Diamonds
Blue = Health

Red = Flammability

Yellow = Reactivity

White = Special
hazard information
Labeling and Marking Systems
NFPA-704 Diamonds

4= Deadly Hazard
3= Severe Hazard
2= Moderate
Hazard
1= Slight Hazard
0= No Hazard
HEALTH
4 Deadly: Slightest exposure to this substance
would be life threatening. Only specialized
protective clothing should be worn.
3 Extreme Danger: Serious injury from exposure
to this substance. Do not expose any body
surface to these materials. Follow full
protective measures.
2 Dangerous: Exposure would be hazardous to
health. Protective measures indicated.
1 Slight Hazard: irritation or minor injury would
result from exposure to this substance.
Protective measures are indicated.
0 No Hazard: exposure to this substance offers
no significant risk to health.
FLAMMABILITY
4 Very Flammable, volatile or explosive depending
on its state: Flash Point below 73ºF & Boiling Point
below 100ºF. Extreme caution should be used in
handling or storing of these materials.
3 Flammable, volatile or explosive under normal
temperature conditions: Flash Point Below 100ºF.
Exercise great caution in storage or handling.
2 Moderately heated conditions may ignite this
substance: Flash Point Below 200ºF. Caution in
handling.
1 Combustible, must be preheated to ignite: Flash
Point Above 200ºF. Most combustible solids fit this
category.
0 Will Not Burn
INSTABILITY
4 May Detonate: capable of detonation or explosion at
normal temperatures and pressures. Evacuate area if
exposed to heat or fire.
3 Explosive: capable of detonation or explosion by a
strong initiating source, such as heat, shock or water.
Monitor from behind explosion-resistant barriers.
2 Unstable: violent chemical changes are possible at
normal or elevated temperatures and pressures.
Potentially violent or explosive reaction may occur
when mixed with water. Monitor from a safe distance.
1 Normally Stable: may become unstable at elevated
temperatures and pressures or when mixed with
water. Approach with caution.
0 Stable: remain stable when exposed to heat, pressure
or water.
Labeling and Marking Systems
HMIS Labels
Designed to go on individual containers of
products that don’t have manufacturer’s
labels

Same color code /numerical

rating system as the
NFPA diamonds
Labeling and Marking Systems
HMIS Labels
Blue = Health
Red = Flammability
Yellow = Reactivity
White = Personal Protective Equipment
or special protection information

Indicates numerical
Hazard Rating of 0-4
Chemical Hazard Communications

BE SAFE,
NOT SORRY!