P242 · Precautionary statementUse non-sparking tools.

Precautionary · PreventionPhysical

P242 is the GHS precautionary statement “Use non-sparking tools”. UN GHS Annex 3 assigns it to Flammable liquids (chapter 2.6), Category 1, 2, 3. The English wording is the same as UN GHS Rev.11 in US OSHA, EU CLP and Canada. Canada’s official French text is “Utiliser d'outils ne produisant pas des étincelles” and Mexico’s Spanish text is “No utilizar herramientas que produzcan chispas”. In the UN GHS Rev.11 label matrix it is used with 3 hazard statements (UN only).

Maintained by Valenc. Data checked 2026-10-20.

Heading text: UN GHS Rev.11 Annex 3. Wording can differ by jurisdiction; see the table below.

Wording by jurisdiction

UN GHS Rev.11

Same as UN

GHS Rev.11 (2025), Annex 3

Use non-sparking tools.

UN GHS Rev.11, Annex 3, Table A3.2.2, PDF p. 318

US OSHA HCS

Same as UN

HCS 2024 · primarily GHS Rev.7, some Rev.8

Use non-sparking tools.

29 CFR 1910.1200 App. C, matched by wording

EU CLP

Same as UN

EU_CLP_2025 · consolidated 1 Jul 2026

Use non-sparking tools.

EU CLP, Annex IV, Part 2

Canada (EN)

Same as UN

WHMIS_2022 · GHS Rev.7 (Rev.8 for chemicals under pressure)

Use non-sparking tools.

GHS Rev.7 Annex 3 Table A3.2

Canada (FR)

Adopted

WHMIS_2022 · SGH Rév.7, texte officiel

Utiliser d'outils ne produisant pas des étincelles.

GHS Rev.7 Annex 3 Table A3.2

Mexico (ES)

Adopted

NOM-018-STPS-2015 · GHS 5th revised edition

No utilizar herramientas que produzcan chispas

NOM-018-STPS-2015, DOF 9 October 2015, Apéndice D, Tabla D.1, PDF p. 35

Hazard classes and categories

Flammable liquids (chapter 2.6) · Category 1, 2, 3

UN GHS Rev.11 Annex 3, sections 1 and 2

H statements it is used with in the UN GHS Rev.11 label matrix only

UN GHS Rev.11 only. EU CLP, US OSHA, Canada (GHS Rev.7) and Mexico assign their own P statements; check the regulation for your market.

H224 H225 H226

UN GHS Rev.11 Annex 3, section 3. Listed for at least one category that uses each H statement.

Conditions for use

if the liquid is volatile and may generate an explosive atmosphere and if the minimum ignition energy is very low. (This applies to substances and mixtures where the minimum ignition energy is < 0.1 mJ, e.g. carbon disulphide).

Quoted as published in UN GHS Rev.11 Annex 3, section 2. List markers are shown as bullets.

Change in UN GHS Rev.11

No change to the wording or the hazard classes in Annex 3 compared with Rev.10.

Sources

Each cell in the table names the official table and page for P242. Full citations, links and revision notes for UN GHS Rev.11, US OSHA, EU CLP, Canada and Mexico: Sources and revision notes.

These are regulatory phrases for labels and safety data sheets. Check them against the official source for your jurisdiction before use.