LevelSixLabs
Sign inTry free

Chemical safety

Ethanol: hazards and COSHH prompts

Used everywhere from surface disinfection to precipitation, and stocked in quantities that add up quickly.

See COSHH in the demo labAll chemicals

Always work from your own safety data sheet. Classification varies with grade, concentration and supplier. Use this page to orient yourself, then assess the task you are actually doing, at the scale you are actually doing it.

Hazard classification

CAS
64-17-5
Formula
C2H6O
Molecular weight
46.07
Signal word
Danger

GHS pictograms

FlameExclamation markHealth hazard

Hazard statements

  • H225Highly flammable liquid and vapour
  • H315Causes skin irritation
  • H319Causes serious eye irritation
  • H320Causes eye irritation
  • H335May cause respiratory irritation
  • H336May cause drowsiness or dizziness
  • H340May cause genetic defects
  • H350May cause cancer
  • H360May damage fertility or the unborn child
  • H372Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
  • H373May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
  • H412Harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects
Precautionary statements (30)
  • P203Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
  • P210Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
  • P233Keep container tightly closed.
  • P240Ground and bond container and receiving equipment.
  • P241Use explosion-proof electrical, ventilating and lighting equipment.
  • P242Use non-sparking tools.
  • P243Take action to prevent static discharges.
  • P260Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P261Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P264+P265Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
  • P264Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
  • P270Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
  • P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • P273Avoid release to the environment.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P302+P352IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P303+P361+P353IF ON SKIN (or hair): Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water or shower.
  • P304+P340IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
  • P305+P351+P338IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P318If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
  • P319Get medical help if you feel unwell.
  • P321Specific treatment — see the safety data sheet.
  • P332+P317If skin irritation occurs: Get medical help.
  • P337+P317If eye irritation persists: Get medical help.
  • P362+P364Take off contaminated clothing and wash it before reuse.
  • P370+P378In case of fire: Use appropriate extinguishing media.
  • P403+P235Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool.
  • P403+P233Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
  • P405Store locked up.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional and national regulations.

Classification data from PubChem CID 702 , retrieved automatically and refreshed weekly. PubChem aggregates from multiple suppliers; entries can differ from the SDS for your grade.

What your COSHH assessment has to answer

Based on the hazard classes above. These are prompts, not answers — the right control depends on your task, your quantities and your room.

Because it is flammable

  • Where are the ignition sources relative to where this is opened and poured?
  • How much is on the bench at once, and how much is in the cabinet?
  • Is decanting done in the fume hood, and are larger containers earthed?
  • Which extinguisher is appropriate, and does everyone using this know?

Because it is acutely toxic

  • Which exposure route is credible for your task — inhalation, skin, or both?
  • Is containment engineered (fume hood, cabinet) rather than relying on PPE?
  • What is the first-aid response, and is the material for it actually at the point of use?
  • Is lone working with this restricted?

Because it burns or irritates skin and eyes

  • Is eye protection specified for the actual task, including splash risk when pouring?
  • Are the gloves rated for this substance and this contact time?
  • Where is the nearest eyewash, and when was it last flushed and checked?

Because it is a carcinogen, mutagen or reproductive hazard

  • Has substitution been considered, and is the reason for not substituting recorded?
  • Is exposure reduced as low as reasonably practicable, not merely below a limit?
  • Are new and expectant mothers specifically considered?
  • Is health surveillance or exposure monitoring expected for this work?

Because it can damage organs

  • Is the exposure repeated or long-term rather than one-off?
  • Is there an exposure limit to design the controls around?
  • Are users told what early symptoms look like and who to report them to?

Because it is hazardous to the environment

  • Is drain disposal ruled out, and does everyone know that?
  • Is the waste container labelled at the point of generation?
  • Is the disposal contractor's consignment paperwork in order?

Others in solvents

Acetone

The default glassware-rinsing solvent — and one of the most common flammable liquids on a lab bench.

Read

Methanol

An HPLC and cleaning workhorse that is far more acutely toxic than its familiarity suggests.

Read

Isopropanol (propan-2-ol)

The other everyday alcohol — cleaning, precipitation and disinfection, with the same flammability questions as ethanol.

Read

Stop rebuilding this by hand

Keep Ethanol — and everything else — in one inventory.

LevelSixLabs pulls GHS classification onto your chemical records automatically, then builds COSHH assessments from the substances you already hold. Explore a fully-stocked demo lab, no signup.

Explore the demo lab See chemical inventory