COSHH symbols explained
The symbols on hazardous products are hazard pictograms under the GB CLP Regulation: a black symbol in a white diamond with a red border. There are nine. They replaced the old orange squares, which have not been allowed on products since June 2017.
The nine pictograms
| Symbol | Name | Means | Typical products |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flame | Flammable | Catches fire easily: liquids, gases, aerosols, solids | Solvents, spray paint, white spirit, aerosols |
| Flame over circle | Oxidising | Can cause or intensify a fire | Some pool chemicals, hydrogen peroxide |
| Exploding bomb | Explosive | Can explode, including when heated | Fireworks, some ammunition |
| Gas cylinder | Gas under pressure | May explode if heated; cold burns from refrigerated gas | Oxygen, CO2, propane cylinders |
| Corrosion | Corrosive | Severe skin burns and eye damage; corrosive to metals | Drain unblocker, oven cleaner, descaler, bleach (some) |
| Skull and crossbones | Acute toxicity | Fatal or toxic if swallowed, inhaled or in contact with skin | Some pesticides, methanol |
| Exclamation mark | Health hazard | Irritant, harmful, skin sensitiser, narcotic effects | Washing-up liquid concentrates, many cleaners |
| Health hazard silhouette | Serious health hazard | Can cause cancer, affect fertility, damage organs or cause breathing problems | Some solvents, wood treatments, silica-containing products |
| Dead tree and fish | Hazardous to the environment | Toxic to aquatic life | Some pesticides, paints, fuel |
Signal words and H statements
Next to the pictogram you will see a signal word, Danger for the more severe hazards or Warning for the less severe, and hazard statements starting with H, for example H314 “Causes severe skin burns and eye damage”. Precautionary statements start with P and tell you what to do, for example P280 “Wear protective gloves”.
How to use them in a COSHH assessment
- List every product with a pictogram that is used or stored at work.
- Take the hazards from the label and from section 2 of the safety data sheet.
- Think about how people are exposed: splashes, breathing in spray or vapour, skin contact.
- Decide controls: a safer product, ready-diluted products, ventilation, gloves and eye protection, storage and spill kits.
- Tell staff what the symbols mean and where the safety data sheets are.
Turn the label into an assessment. The free COSHH template asks for the pictograms and H statements and suggests controls and PPE for each product.
Free COSHH assessment COSHH register with ProQuestions
How many COSHH symbols are there?
Nine hazard pictograms under GB CLP.
Are the old orange COSHH symbols still valid?
No. Products had to be relabelled with the red-diamond pictograms by 1 June 2017. Old stock with orange labels should be checked against an up-to-date safety data sheet.
Does a product without a symbol need a COSHH assessment?
Usually not for the product itself, but dust, fume or vapour created by the work can still be hazardous and is covered by COSHH.
Checked against HSE guidance on CLP hazard pictograms, October 2026. Related: What is COSHH? · COSHH for cleaners.