National Standard "Specification for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals Part 31: Warning Signs for Chemical Workplaces" (GB T 30000.)31-2023) was officially released on November 27, 2023 and will be officially implemented on June 1, 2024.
As part 31 of GB 30000 Code of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, it is aligned with the technical content related to the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) (Rev. 9).
The standard is designed to keep people safe in the workplace and provide the necessary information and guidance to reduce the occurrence of accidents and injuries. These signs can alert people to potential hazards and to take appropriate precautions and protective measures.
In order to better implement GB T 3000031-2023, China has also made clear provisions in the corresponding regulations:
01 Work Safety Law of the People's Republic of China
Article 35 Production and business operation entities shall set up obvious safety warning signs in production and business operation sites and related facilities and equipment with relatively large risk factors.
02 Regulations on the Safety Management of Hazardous Chemicals
Article 20 Units that produce and store hazardous chemicals shall set up conspicuous safety warning signs in their workplaces and safety facilities and equipment.
The specific elements of the warning signs for chemical workplaces include:
Tips: In addition to the physical and chemical properties and the pictogram of preventive measures, the above warning signs in chemical workplaces are also the elements of chemical safety labels, but the detailed requirements are different.
In addition, the standard also stipulates the requirements for the production and application of warning signs in chemical workplaces, including color, font, size, printing requirements, setting location, setting method, setting height, etc.
Examples of flags are as follows:
Failure to set up safety warning signs may result in these penalties
After the issuance of the standard, enterprises should set up warning signs in chemical workplaces according to the requirements of the standard before June 1, 2024, otherwise they will face relevant penalties.
The specific basis and penalties are as follows:
01 Work Safety Law of the People's Republic of China
Article 99 If a production and business operation entity commits any of the following acts, it shall be ordered to make corrections within a time limit and shall be fined less than 50,000 yuan; where corrections are not made within the time limit, a fine of between 50,000 and 200,000 RMB is to be given, and the directly responsible managers and other directly responsible personnel are to be fined between 10,000 and 20,000 RMB; where the circumstances are serious, order the suspension of production and business for rectification; where a crime is constituted, criminal responsibility is pursued in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Criminal Law
1) Failure to set up conspicuous safety warning signs on production and business premises and related facilities and equipment with relatively large risk factors;
02 Regulations on the Safety Management of Hazardous Chemicals
Article 78 In any of the following circumstances, the production safety supervision and management department shall order corrections and may impose a fine of not more than 50,000 yuan; where corrections are refused, a fine of between 50,000 and 100,000 RMB is to be given; where the circumstances are serious, order the suspension of production and business for rectification;
8) Units that produce or store hazardous chemicals fail to set up obvious safety warning signs in the workplace and safety facilities and equipment, or fail to set up communication and alarm devices in the workplace;
The setting of warning signs in chemical workplaces is a necessary measure for enterprises to ensure the safe operation of workplaces and reduce personal injuries, and enterprises should implement them as required.
In addition, enterprises that have set up warning signs for chemical workplaces in accordance with the "2013 - Chemical Workplace Safety Warning Signs Specification AQ3047-2013" can follow the recommended standard GB T 30000Updated 31-2023.