Skull and crossbones (GHS06)
The GHS pictogram for acute toxicity: substances that can be fatal or toxic if swallowed, inhaled or in contact with skin.
These identify the hazard class a pictogram represents. For handling, storage and first aid, refer to the product's label and safety data sheet.
Easily confused with
How to read it
Under the GHS it marks acute toxicity categories 1 to 3. Lower categories of acute toxicity use the exclamation mark pictogram instead.
Also searched as: GHS06, poison symbol, toxic symbol.
Where this symbol came from
oldsymbols.comSkull and crossbonesHow a symbol from Christian art and old gravestones came to mean poison.More hazard symbols
Sources
- Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
- Hazard Communication Standard, Appendix C, 29 CFR 1910.1200, U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Last reviewed September 23, 2026.