Precautionary statements, also known as P-statements, form part of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). P-statements provide brief phrases and/or illustrations to explain specific measures and safety precautions that should be taken in order to minimize or avoid adverse outcomes that may result from exposure, or improper storage or handling of a hazardous substance.
The GHS also contains hazard statements, which provide standardized hazard wordings. Both P-statements and H-statements are usually found on a label or Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS). It is important to remember that P-statements merely indicate the safety precautions that you need to follow when using the material, not the explicit hazards of the material.
To learn more about GHS hazard statements, click here.
Though US OSHA does not currently require precautionary statements, you should expect to see P-statements appear on labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) over the next few years as the US moves toward complying with the GHS. In the European Union, precautionary statements are beginning to replace safety phrases (S-phrases) as the GHS is phased in per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.
In total, there are 116 individual and 33 combined precautionary statements. Each P-Statement is designated a unique numerical code which may be used as a valuable reference when interpreting labels and Material Safety Data Sheets, MSDS sheets, safety sheets, and material safety sheets printed in other languages. These codes are not to be used as a substitute for writing out the complete text of the safety precaution.
The codes have the form Pnxx, where P stands for “Precautionary Statement”. xx corresponds to the sequential numbering of precautionary statements, while the value of n refers to:
- General precautionary statements
- Prevention precautionary statements
- Response precautionary statements
- Storage precautionary statements
- Disposal precautionary statements
| General Precautionary Statement Codes, P1xx | |
| Code | General Precautionary Statement |
| P101 | If medical advice is needed, have product container or label at hand. |
| P102 | Keep out of reach of children. |
| P103 | Read label before use. |
| Prevention Precautionary Statement Codes, P2xx | |
| Code | General Precautionary Statement |
| P201 | If medical advice is needed, have product container or label at hand. |
| P202 | Keep out of reach of children. |
| P210 | Read label before use. |
| P211 | Do not spray on an open flame or other ignition source. |
| P220 | Keep/Store away from clothing/…/combustible materials. |
| P221 | Take any precaution to avoid mixing with combustibles/.. |
| P222 | Do not allow contact with air. |
| P230 | Keep wetted with … |
| P231 | Handle under inert gas. |
| P232 | Protect from moisture. |
| P233 | Keep container tightly closed. |
| P234 | Keep only in original container. |
| P235 | Keep cool. |
| P240 | Ground/bond container and receiving equipment. |
| P241 | Use explosion-proof electrical/ventilating/lighting/…/equipment. |
| P242 | Use only non-sparking tools. |
| P243 | Take precautionary measures against static discharge. |
| P250 | Do not subject to grinding/shock/…/friction. |
| P251 | Pressurized container: Do not pierce or burn, even after use. |
| P260 | Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray. |
| P261 | Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray. |
| P262 | Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing. |
| P262 | Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing. |
| P263 | Avoid contact during pregnancy/while nursing. |
| P264 | Wash…thoroughly after handling |
| P270 | Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product. |
| P271 | Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area |
| P272 | Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace. |
| P273 | Avoid release to the environment. |
| P280 | Wash…thoroughly after handling |
| P281 | Use personal protective equipment as required. |
| P282 | Wear cold insulating gloves/face shield/eye protection. |
| P283 | Wear fire/flame resistant/retardant clothing |
| P210 | Wear respiratory protection. |
| P284 | Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. – No smoking. |
| P285 | In case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection. |
| P231 + P232 | Handle under inert gas. Protect from moisture. |
| P235 + P410 | Keep cool. Protect from sunlight. |
| Response Precautionary Statement Codes, P3xx | |
| Code | General Precautionary Statement |
| P301 | IF SWALLOWED. |
| P302 | IF ON SKIN. |
| P303 | IF ON SKIN (or hair). |
| P304 | IF INHALED. |
| P305 | IF IN EYES. |
| P306 | IF ON CLOTHING. |
| P307 | IF exposed. |
| P308 | IF exposed or concerned. |
| P309 | IF exposed or if you feel unwell. |
| P310 | Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician. |
| P311 | Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician. |
| P312 | Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician if you feel unwell. |
| P313 | Get medical advice/attention. |
| P314 | Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell. |
| P315 | Get immediate medical advice/attention. |
| P320 | Specific treatment is urgent (see … on this label). |
| P321 | Specific treatment (see … on this label). |
| P322 | Specific treatment (see … on this label). |
| P330 | Rinse mouth. |
| P331 | Do NOT induce vomiting. |
| P332 | If skin irritation occurs. |
| P333 | If skin irritation or rash occurs. |
| P334 | Immerse in cool water/wrap in wet bandages. |
| P335 | Brush off loose particles from skin. |
| P336 | Thaw frosted parts with lukewarm water. Do not rub affected area. |
| P337 | If eye irritation persists. |
| P338 | Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. |
| P340 | Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. |
| P341 | If breathing is difficult, remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. |
| P342 | If experiencing respiratory symptoms. |
| P350 | Gently wash with plenty of soap and water. |
| P351 | Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. |
| P352 | Wash with plenty of soap and water. |
| P353 | Rinse skin with water/shower. |
| P360 | Rinse immediately contaminated clothing and skin with plenty of water before removing clothes. |
| P361 | Remove/Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. |
| P362 | Take off contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. |
| P363 | Wash contaminated clothing before reuse. |
| P370 | In case of fire. |
| P371 | In case of major fire and large quantities: |
| P372 | Explosion risk in case of fire. |
| P373 | DO NOT fight fire when fire reaches explosives. |
| P374 | Fight fire with normal precautions from a reasonable distance. |
| P375 | Fight fire remotely due to the risk of explosion |
| P376 | Stop leak if safe to do so. |
| P377 | Leaking gas fire: Do not extinguish, unless leak can be stopped safely. |
| P378 | Use … for extinction. |
| P380 | Evacuate area. |
| P381 | Eliminate all ignition sources if safe to do so. |
| P390 | Absorb spillage to prevent material damage. |
| P391 | Collect spillage. |
| P301 + P310 | IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician. |
| P301 + P312 | IF SWALLOWED: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician if you feel unwell. |
| P301 + P330 + P331 | IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. |
| P302 + P334 | IF ON SKIN: Immerse in cool water/wrap in wet bandages. |
| P302 + P350 | IF ON SKIN: Gently wash with plenty of soap and water. |
| P302 + P352 | IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of soap and water. |
| P303 + P361 + P353 | IF ON SKIN (or hair): Remove/Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water/shower. |
| P304 + P312 | IF INHALED: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician if you feel unwell. |
| P304 + P340 | IF INHALED: Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. |
| P304 + P341 | IF INHALED: If breathing is difficult, remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. |
| P305 + P351 + P338 | IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. |
|
P306 + P360 |
IF ON CLOTHING: Rinse immediately contaminated clothing and skin with plenty of water before removing clothes. |
| P307 + P311 | IF exposed: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician. |
| P308 + P313 | IF exposed or concerned: Get medical advice/attention. |
| P309 + P311 | IF exposed or if you feel unwell: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician. |
| P332 + P313 | If skin irritation occurs: Get medical advice/ attention. |
| P333 + P313 | If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical advice/attention. |
| P335 + P334 | Brush off loose particles from skin. Immerse in cool water/wrap in wet bandages. |
| P337 + P313 | If eye irritation persists: Get medical advice/attention. |
| P342 + P311 | If experiencing respiratory symptoms: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician. |
| P370 + P376 | In case of fire: Stop leak if safe to do so. |
| P370 + P378 | In case of fire: Use … for extinction. |
| P370 + P380 | In case of fire: Evacuate area. Fight fire remotely due to the risk of explosion. |
| P370 + P380 + P375 | In case of fire: Evacuate area. |
| P371 + P380 + P375 | In case of major fire and large quantities: Evacuate area. Fight fire remotely due to the risk of explosion. |
| P376 | Stop leak if safe to do so. |
| P377 | Leaking gas fire: Do not extinguish, unless leak can be stopped safely. |
| P378 | Use … for extinction. |
| P380 | Evacuate area. |
| P381 | Eliminate all ignition sources if safe to do so. |
| P390 | Absorb spillage to prevent material damage. |
| P391 | Collect spillage. |
| P301 + P310 | IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician. |
| P301 + P312 | IF SWALLOWED: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician if you feel unwell. |
| P301 + P330 + P331 | IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. |
| P302 + P334 | IF ON SKIN: Immerse in cool water/wrap in wet bandages. |
| P302 + P350 | IF ON SKIN: Gently wash with plenty of soap and water. |
| P302 + P352 | IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of soap and water. |
| P303 + P361 + P353 | IF ON SKIN (or hair): Remove/Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water/shower. |
| P304 + P312 | IF INHALED: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician if you feel unwell. |
| P304 + P340 | IF INHALED: Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. |
|
P304 + P341 |
IF INHALED: If breathing is difficult, remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. |
| P305 + P351 + P338 | IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. |
| P306 + P360 | IF ON CLOTHING: Rinse immediately contaminated clothing and skin with plenty of water before removing clothes. |
| P307 + P311 | IF exposed: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician. |
| P308 + P313 | IF exposed or concerned: Get medical advice/attention. |
| P309 + P311 | IF exposed or if you feel unwell: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician. |
| P332 + P313 | If skin irritation occurs: Get medical advice/ attention. |
| P333 + P313 | If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical advice/attention. |
| P335 + P334 | Brush off loose particles from skin. Immerse in cool water/wrap in wet bandages. |
| P337 + P313 | If eye irritation persists: Get medical advice/attention. |
| P342 + P311 | If experiencing respiratory symptoms: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician. |
| P370 + P376 | In case of fire: Stop leak if safe to do so. |
| P370 + P378 | In case of fire: Use … for extinction. |
| P370 + P380 | In case of fire: Evacuate area. Fight fire remotely due to the risk of explosion. |
| P370 + P380 + P375 | In case of fire: Evacuate area. |
| P371 + P380 + P375 | In case of major fire and large quantities: Evacuate area. Fight fire remotely due to the risk of explosion. |
| Storage Precautionary Statement Codes, P4xx | |
| Code | General Precautionary Statement |
| P401 | Store … |
| P402 | Store in a dry place. |
| P403 | Store in a dry place. |
| P404 | Store in a closed container. |
| P405 | Store locked up. |
| P406 | Store in corrosive resistant/… container with a resistant inner liner. |
| P407 | Maintain air gap between stacks/pallets. |
| P410 | Protect from sunlight. |
| P411 | Store at temperatures not exceeding …°C/…°F. |
| P412 | Do not expose to temperatures exceeding 50 °C/ 122 °F. |
| P413 | Store bulk masses greater than … kg/… lbs at temperatures not exceeding …°C/…°F. |
| P420 | Store away from other materials. |
| P420 | Store contents under … |
| P402 + P404 | Store in a dry place. Store in a closed container. |
| P404 + P233 | Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed. |
| P403 + P235 | Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool. |
| P410 + P2403 | Protect from sunlight. Store in a well-ventilated place. |
| P410 + P412 | Protect from sunlight. Do not expose to temperatures exceeding 50 °C/122 °F. |
| P411 + P235 | Store at temperatures not exceeding … °C/… °F. Keep cool. |
| Disposal Precautionary Statement Codes, P5xx | |
| Code | Disposal Precautionary Statement |
| P501 | Dispose of contents/container to … |