All chemicals, solvents, oils etc. used in the University are labelled with a Hazard Severity Code.
Briefly: The code ranges 1 (low) to 4 (exceptional)
1 (includes substances with no danger)
2 (flammable, highly flammable, irritant, corrosive, harmful (not Cat 3 carcinogens/mutagens/toxic to repro. & sensitisers)
3 (explosive, oxidising, extremely flammable, harmful, toxic, very toxic)
4 (able to cause acute/chronic health effects at low levels, or where statutory controls required), requires written permission of HoD.
The details of the code are available in following information sheet:
HSE (IS) 15: Control of Hazardous Substances - Hazard Categorization of Hazardous
Substances
(http://www.york.ac.uk/admin/hsas/IS15.html)
Nigel Woolsey,
ncw2@york.ac.uk
30 September, 2004