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SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTAL:  HAZARD COMMUNICATION & LABELING

HMIS Label System

All Technical Urethanes' product labels include the HMIS hazard rating system. The HMIS system uses numerical ratings of 0-4 to indicate product hazard levels with 0 being the least severe and 4 being the most severe hazard. There are four main categories of hazard on the Technical Urethanes' HMIS: Health (blue), Flammability (red), Reactivity (yellow), and Protective Equipment Requirement (black text on white background). This information is also available in text format in Section 16 of Technical Urethanes' MSDS sheets.

Example of HMIS labels:

Key to understanding the ratings:

HEALTH

4	Deadly: Even the slightest exposure to this substance would be life threatening. Only specialized protective clothing, for these materials, should be worn.
3	Extreme Danger: Serious injury would result from exposure to this substance. Do not expose any body surface to these materials. Full protective measures should be taken.
2	Dangerous: Exposure to this substance would be hazardous to health. Protective measures are indicated.
1	Slight Hazard: Irritation or minor injury would result from exposure to this substance. Protective measures are indicated.
0	No Hazard: Exposure to this substance offers no significant risk to health
*	Chronic Hazard: Placed next to the numerical rating to indicate that the product has hazards from long-term exposure as opposed to short-term exposure which the number indicates

FLAMMABILITY

4	Flash Point Below 73ºF (23°C) and Boiling Point Below 100ºF (38°C): This substance is very flammable, volatile or explosive depending on its state. Extreme caution should be used in handling or storing of these materials.
3	Flash Point Below 200ºF (93°C): Moderately heated conditions may ignite this substance. Caution procedures should be employed in handling.
2	Flash Point Below 100ºF (38°C): Flammable, volatile or explosive under almost all normal temperature conditions. Exercise great caution in storage or handling of these materials.
1	Flash Point Above 200ºF (93°C): This substance must be preheated to ignite. Most combustible solids would be in this category.
0	Will Not Burn: Substances that will not burn.

REACTIVITY

4	May Detonate: Substances that are readily capable of detonation or explosion at normal temperatures and pressures. Evacuate area if exposed to heat or fire.
3	Explosive: Substances that are readily capable of detonation or explosion by a strong initiating source, such as heat, shock or water. Monitor from behind explosion-resistant barriers.
2	Unstable: Violent chemical changes are possible at normal or elevated temperatures and pressures. Potentially violent or explosive reaction may occur when mixed with water. Monitor from a safe distance.
1	Normally stable: Substances that may become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures or when mixed with water. Approach with caution.
0	Stable: Substances which will remain stable when exposed to heat, pressure or water.

Note: The HMIS label is only a quick-reference guide to indicate relative hazards a product. It in no way replaces the requirement of each user to fully read and understand the product label and MSDS sheets for each Technical Urethanes' product. Users should read and fully understand the product label hazards and MSDS sheets prior to using any product from any manufacturer.