GHS hazard statement
H209: Explosive
- H209
- Physical hazards
- Danger
H209 means “Explosive”. It is a GHS hazard statement for Explosives (Category 1), shown with GHS01 under the signal word “Danger”.
Hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | Pictogram | Signal word | UN transport class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explosives | Category 1 |  | Danger | — |
| Explosives | Category 2A | | Danger | Div 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6 |
What H209 means
Explosives are solid or liquid substances (or mixtures) that can, by chemical reaction, produce gas at such a temperature, pressure and speed that they damage their surroundings. Earlier GHS revisions (still used by OSHA HazCom) divide them into unstable explosives and divisions 1.1 to 1.6 according to the type of explosion hazard; newer UN GHS revisions group them into Categories 1, 2A, 2B and 2C, while the divisions remain in use for transport.
The material can explode, throw fragments or burn violently when exposed to heat, fire, shock, friction or sometimes simple handling. The more severe divisions can mass-explode.
What to do
Handle only after reading all precautions, keep well away from heat, sparks, open flames, friction and impact, use the quantities and storage the supplier specifies, and in a fire evacuate instead of fighting a fire that has reached the explosives.
This is general guidance for the hazard class. The safety data sheet for your product always takes precedence.
Precautionary statements for H209
The GHS lists these precautionary statements for this hazard. Which ones appear on a label depends on the supplier's classification.
| Code | Statement |
|---|---|
| P230 | Keep wetted with ... |
| P210 | Keep away from heat, hot surface, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking. |
| P240 | Ground/bond container and receiving equipment. |
| P250 | Do not subject to grinding/shock/friction/... |
| P280 | Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/... |
| P370+P372+P380+P373 | In case of fire: Explosion risk. Evacuate area. DO NOT fight fire when fire reaches explosives. |
| P401 | Store in accordance with ... |
| P503 | Refer to manufacturer/supplier... for information on disposal/recovery/recycling. |
| P203 | Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use. |
| P234 | Keep only in original container. |
| P236 | Keep only in original packaging; Division .. in the transport configuration. |
Chemicals carrying H209
No chemicals in our database are classified with H209 yet.
H209 frequently asked questions
What does H209 mean?
H209 means "Explosive". It is a GHS hazard statement in the physical hazards group, covering Explosives (Category 1).
Which pictogram goes with H209?
H209 is shown with GHS01 (Exploding Bomb). By category: Category 1: GHS01, signal word Danger; Category 2A: GHS01, signal word Danger.
What signal word goes with H209?
It depends on the category: Category 1: GHS01, signal word Danger; Category 2A: GHS01, signal word Danger.
Which precautionary statements go with H209?
The GHS data lists 11 precautionary statements for H209, including P230, P210, P240, P250, P280. They cover prevention, response, storage and disposal. The full list is on this page.
Hazard statements describe the hazard of a classified substance or mixture. The classification of a specific product can differ, so use the supplier's SDS.
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ghs/ghscode_10.txt (UN GHS Revision 10, retrieved 2026-10-12)