Hazardous Materials Identification System

Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS) is a numerical hazard rating system developed by the American Coatings Association (ACA) to provide a readily understandable, easily readable system for identifying the hazards associated with various materials. The system uses color-coded labels with numbers and symbols to indicate the level of health, flammability, and physical hazard associated with a given material.

Overview

The HMIS is designed to be used on containers of hazardous materials, including chemicals and substances that pose a risk to health, safety, or the environment. The system is intended to supplement other forms of hazard communication, such as Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and container labels, providing additional information to help workers understand the risks associated with the materials they handle.

Components of the HMIS

The HMIS uses a combination of color coding, numbers, and symbols to convey hazard information. The main components of the system are:

• Health Hazard: This section is blue and rates the health hazards on a scale of 0 to 4, with 0 indicating no hazard and 4 indicating severe hazard.
• Flammability Hazard: This section is red and rates the flammability hazards on a scale of 0 to 4, with 0 indicating no hazard and 4 indicating severe hazard.
• Physical Hazard: This section is yellow and rates the physical hazards on a scale of 0 to 4, with 0 indicating no hazard and 4 indicating severe hazard.
• Personal Protection: This section is white and uses a series of letters (A to K) to indicate the type of personal protective equipment (PPE) that should be used when handling the material.

Use and Implementation

The HMIS is widely used in the United States and has been adopted by many companies as part of their Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) compliance programs. The system is designed to be flexible and can be adapted to fit the specific needs of individual workplaces.

While the HMIS provides valuable information about the hazards associated with a material, it is not a substitute for a comprehensive safety program. Workers should also be trained in the proper handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials, and should have access to detailed safety data sheets for all materials they handle.

See Also

• Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
• National Fire Protection Association
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration