Signal word

The signal word sits near the product name, close to the pictograms and hazard statements, so a reader sees it at a glance. It exists to draw attention and signal how much caution the product deserves before anyone reads the details.

Danger is assigned to the more serious hazard categories, while Warning goes to the less serious ones. For example, a product might be labeled Danger because it is highly flammable or severely corrosive, whereas a mild irritant might receive Warning. The exact assignment for each category is set in the classification criteria.

When a product has several hazards, the label shows only one signal word, and it is Danger if any of the hazards calls for it. A label should never show both words together.

A signal word does not describe every risk. A product labeled Warning can still cause harm if misused, and the signal word tells nothing about the specific hazard type. Use it as a first alert, then read the hazard statements and the SDS for specifics.

Signal words are not the same as the numeric ratings used on NFPA 704 diamonds or HMIS labels, which follow different systems.