NFPA Labels

Items in confined spaces may display National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) labels. NFPA labels classify chemicals according to the hazards they present. These labels indicate health, flammability, reactivity, and special hazards for chemicals. The NFPA label is a diamond made up of four sub-diamonds, each with its own color. The blue diamond represents health hazards, the red diamond represents flammability hazards, the yellow diamond represents instability hazards, and the white diamond is for special handling. Each of the blue, red, and yellow diamonds is rated from 1-4 in severity, with 4 being the most severe.

Health - Blue Diamond

• 4 - Short exposure could cause death or major residual injury
• 3 - Short exposure could cause serious temporary or residual injury
• 2 - Continued exposure could cause temporary incapacitation
• 1 - Exposure could cause irritation

Flammability - Red Diamond

• 4 - Materials that vaporize and burn readily at normal temperature
• 3 - Materials that ignite at normal temperature
• 2 - Materials that must be heated to ignite
• 1 - Materials that must be heated to pre-ignite

Instability - Yellow Diamond

• 4 - Materials that detonate or explode at normal temperature
• 3 - Materials that must be heated to detonate or explode
• 2 - Materials that must undergo violent chemical change
• 1 - Materials that must react with water at elevated temperatures

Special Handling Hazards - White Diamond

The white diamond provides information on hazards a little differently than the other three subparts. The white diamond uses the following acronyms:

• W - Water Reactive
• OX - Oxidizer
• COR - Corrosive
• EXP - Explosive
• TOX - Toxic
• IGN - Ignitable
• RAD - Radioactivity

While NFPA labels are not required by OSHA or any other agency, they are widely used and may be required by local ordinances. It is important that you recognize and understand them, as your safety may depend on this knowledge.

To learn more about Confined Spaces visit our Construction Confined Spaces Online Training web page.