R/S Phrases

Safety at work with chemicals

---

---

Risk and Safety Phrases, R/S phrases, are formally obsolete and have been replaced by H/P phrases for labelling of chemicals. They can however be encountered in older books and on labels and material data safety sheets that haven't been updated.

R-phrases
R1	Explosive when dry.
R2	Risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition.
R3	Extreme risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition.
R4	Forms very sensitive explosive metallic compounds.
R5	Heating may cause an explosion.
R6	Explosive with or without contact with air.
R7	May cause fire.
R8	Contact with combustible material may cause fire.
R9	Explosive when mixed with combustible material.
R10	Flammable.
R11	Highly Flammable.
R12	Extremely flammable.
R13	(Obsolete) Extremely flammable liquid gas. (This R-phrase is no longer included in Regulation.)
R14	Reacts violently with water.
R15	Contact with water liberates extremely flammable gases.
R16	Explosive when mixed with oxidizing substances.
R17	Spontaneously flammable in air.
R18	In use, may form flammable/explosive vapour-air mixture.
R19	May form explosive peroxides.
R20	Harmful by inhalation.
R21	Harmful in contact with skin.
R22	Harmful if swallowed.
R23	Toxic by inhalation.
R24	Toxic in contact with skin.
R25	Toxic if swallowed.
R26	Very toxic by inhalation.
R27	Very toxic in contact with skin.
R28	Very toxic if swallowed.
R29	Contact with water liberates toxic gas.
R30	Can become highly flammable in use.
R31	Contact with acids liberates toxic gas.
R32	Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas.
R33	Danger of cumulative effects.
R34	Causes burns.
R35	Causes severe burns.
R36	Irritating to eyes.
R37	Irritating to respiratory system.
R38	Irritating to skin.
R39	Danger of very serious irreversible effects.
R40	Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect.
R41	Risk of serious damage to eyes.
R42	May cause sensitization by inhalation.
R43	May cause sensitization by skin contact.
R44	Risk of explosion if heated under confinement.
R45	May cause cancer.
R46	May cause heritable genetic damage.
R47	(Obsolete) May cause deformities. (This R-phrase is no longer included in Regulation.)
R48	Danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure.
R49	May cause cancer by inhalation.
R50	Very toxic to aquatic organisms.
R51	Toxic to aquatic organisms.
R52	Harmful to aquatic organisms.
R53	May cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
R54	Toxic to flora.
R55	Toxic to fauna.
R56	Toxic to soil organisms.
R57	Toxic to bees.
R58	May cause long-term adverse effects in the environment.
R59	Dangerous for the ozone layer.
R60	May impair fertility.
R61	May cause harm to the unborn child.
R62	Possible risk of impaired fertility.
R63	Possible risk of harm to the unborn child.
R64	May cause harm to breastfed babies.
R65	Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed.
R66	Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking.
R67	Vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness.
R68	Possible risks of irreversible effects.
	Combinations of R phrases
R14/15	Reacts violently with water, liberating extremely flammable gases.
R15/29	Contact with water liberates toxic, extremely flammable gas.
R20/21	Harmful by inhalation and in contact with skin.
R20/21/22	Harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R20/22	Harmful by inhalation and if swallowed.
R21/22	Harmful in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R23/24	Toxic by inhalation and in contact with skin.
R23/24/25	Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R23/25	Toxic by inhalation and if swallowed.
R24/25	Toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R26/27	Very toxic by inhalation and in contact with skin.
R26/27/28	Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R26/28	Very toxic by inhalation and if swallowed.
R27/28	Very toxic in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R36/37	Irritating to eyes and respiratory system.
R36/37/38	Irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin.
R36/38	Irritating to eyes and skin.
R37/38	Irritating to respiratory system and skin.
R39/23	Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation.
R39/23/24	Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin.
R39/23/24/25	Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R39/23/25	Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed.
R39/24	Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin.
R39/24/25	Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R39/25	Toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects if swallowed.
R39/26	Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation.
R39/26/27	Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin.
R39/26/27/28	Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R39/26/28	Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed.
R39/27	Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin.
R39/27/28	Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R39/28	Very toxic: danger of very serious irreversible effects if swallowed.
R42/43	May cause sensitization by inhalation and skin contact.
R48/20	Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation.
R48/20/21	Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and in contact with skin.
R48/20/21/22	Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R48/20/22	Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and if swallowed.
R48/21	Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin.
R48/21/22	Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R48/22	Harmful: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure if swallowed.
R48/23	Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation.
R48/23/24	Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and in contact with skin.
R48/23/24/25	Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R48/23/25	Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure through inhalation and if swallowed.
R48/24	Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin.
R48/24/25	Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R48/25	Toxic: danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure if swallowed.
R50/53	Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
R51/53	Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
R52/53	Harmful to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
R68/20	Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation.
R68/20/21	Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation and in contact with skin.
R68/20/21/22	Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R68/20/22	Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects through inhalation and if swallowed.
R68/21	Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin.
R68/21/22	Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects in contact with skin and if swallowed.
R68/22	Harmful: possible risk of irreversible effects if swallowed.

S-phrases
S1	Keep locked up.
S2	Keep out of the reach of children.
S3	Keep in a cool place.
S4	Keep away from living quarters.
S5	Keep contents under ... (appropriate liquid to be specified by the manufacturer).
S6	Keep contents under ... (appropriate gas to be specified by the manufacturer).
S7	Keep container tightly closed.
S8	Keep container dry.
S9	Keep container in a well-ventilated place.
S10	(Obsolete) Keep content wet. (This S phrase is no longer included in Regulation.)
S11	(Obsolete) Avoid contact with air. (This S phrase is no longer included in Regulation.)
S12	Do not keep the container sealed.
S13	Keep away from food, drink and animal feedingstuffs.
S14	Keep away from ... (incompatible materials to be indicated by the manufacturer).
S15	Keep away from heat.
S16	Keep away from sources of ignition - No smoking.
S17	Keep away from combustible material.
S18	Handle and open container with care.
S20	When using do not eat or drink.
S21	When using do not smoke.
S22	Do not breathe dust.
S23	Do not breathe gas/fumes/vapour/spray (appropriate wording to be specified by the manufacturer).
S24	Avoid contact with skin.
S25	Avoid contact with eyes.
S26	In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice.
S27	Take off immediately all contaminated clothing.
S28	After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of ... (to be specified by the manufacturer).
S29	Do not empty into drains.
S30	Never add water to this product.
S31	(Obsolete) Keep away from explosive materials. (This S phrase is no longer included in Regulation.)
S33	Take precautionary measures against static discharges.
S34	(Obsolete) Avoid strokes and frictions. (This S phrase is no longer included in Regulation.)
S35	This material and its container must be disposed of in a safe way.
S36	Wear suitable protective clothing.
S37	Wear suitable gloves.
S38	In case of insufficient ventilation, wear suitable respiratory equipment.
S39	Wear eye/face protection.
S40	To clean the floor and all objects contaminated by this material, use ... (to be specified by the manufacturer).
S41	In case of fire and/or explosion do not breathe fumes.
S42	During fumigation/spraying wear suitable respiratory equipment (appropriate wording to be specified by the manufacturer).
S43	In case of fire, use ... (indicate in the space the precise type of fire-fighting equipment. If water increases risk, add - 'Never use water')
S44	(Obsolete) If you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately. (Show the label where possible.) (This S phrase is no longer included in Regulation.)
S45	In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately. (Show the label where possible.)
S46	If swallowed, seek medical advice immediately and show this container or label.
S47	Keep at temperature not exceeding ... °C. (To be specified by the manufacturer).
S48	Keep wet with ... (appropriate material to be specified by the manufacturer).
S49	Keep only in the original container.
S50	Do not mix with ... (to be specified by the manufacturer).
S51	Use only in well-ventilated areas.
S52	Not recommended for interior use on large surface areas.
S53	Avoid exposure - obtain special instructions before use.
S54	(Obsolete) Before draining of to sewage disposal plant ask for permission of the competent authority. (This S phrase is no longer included in Regulation.)
S55	(Obsolete) Before draining of into the sewage system or into waters treat according to state of art. (This S phrase is no longer included in Regulation.)
S56	Dispose of this material and its container at hazardous or special waste collection point.
S57	Use appropriate container to avoid environmental contamination.
S58	(Obsolete) Dispose as hazardous waste. (This S phrase is no longer included in Regulation.)
S59	Refer to manufacturer/supplier for information on recovery/recycling.
S60	This material and its container must be disposed of as hazardous waste.
S61	Avoid release to the environment. Refer to special instructions / Safety data sheets.
S62	If swallowed, do not induce vomiting: seek medical advice immediately and show this container or label.
S63	In case of accident by inhalation: remove casualty to fresh air and keep at rest.
S64	If swallowed, rinse mouth with water (only if the person is conscious).
	Combinations of S phrases
S1/2	Keep locked up and out of the reach of children.
S3/7	Keep container tightly closed in a cool place.
S3/7/9	(obsolete) Keep container tightly closed in a cool, well-ventilated place.
S3/9	(obsolete) Keep container in a cool, well-ventilated place.
S3/9/14	Keep in a cool, well-ventilated place away from ... (incompatible materials to be indicated by the manufacturer).
S3/9/14/49	Keep only in the original container in a cool, well-ventilated place away from ... (incompatible materials to be indicated by the manufacturer).
S3/9/49	Keep only in the original container in a cool well-ventilated place.
S3/14	Keep in a cool place away from ... (incompatible materials to be indicated by the manufacturer).
S7/8	Keep container tightly closed and dry.
S7/9	Keep container tightly closed and in a well-ventilated place.
S7/47	Keep container tightly closed and at a temperature not exceeding ... °C (to be specified by the manufacturer).
S20/21	When using do not eat, drink or smoke.
S24/25	Avoid contact with skin and eyes.
S27/28	Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of ... (to be specified by the manufacturer).
S29/35	Do not empty into drains. This material and its container must be disposed of in a safe way.
S29/56	Do not empty into drains, dispose of this material and its container at hazardous or special waste collection point.
S36/37	Wear suitable protective clothing and gloves.
S36/37/39	Wear suitable protective clothing, gloves and eye/face protection.
S36/39	Wear suitable protective clothing and eye/face protection.
S37/39	Wear suitable gloves and eye/face protection.
S47/49	Keep only in the original container at a temperature not exceeding ... °C (to be specified by the manufacturer).