A pictogram with an exploding bomb indicates that the chemical can explode. It covers three specific hazard classes: explosives, self-reactive substances, and organic peroxides. You’ll find this symbol on product labels and safety data sheets as part of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), the international standard for communicating chemical hazards.
What the Pictogram Looks Like
The exploding bomb pictogram shows a black symbol of a round bomb bursting apart, set on a white background inside a red diamond-shaped border. This red-bordered diamond format is the same across all nine GHS pictograms, so the shape alone tells you you’re looking at a chemical hazard label. The specific symbol inside the diamond is what tells you the type of danger. Officially, this one is designated GHS01.
The Three Hazard Types It Covers
The exploding bomb doesn’t just mean “this could blow up.” It applies to three distinct categories of chemicals that each behave differently but share the potential for violent, rapid energy release.
Explosives
These are chemicals or items that can detonate or deflagrate, producing a rapid expansion of gas, heat, and pressure. Explosives are subdivided into six divisions based on severity. Division 1.1 substances pose a mass explosion hazard, meaning nearly the entire quantity can go off at once. Division 1.2 substances produce dangerous flying fragments but won’t mass-explode. Division 1.3 chemicals present mainly a fire hazard with minor blast or projection risk. Division 1.4 substances pose only a small hazard, with effects mostly confined to their packaging. Divisions 1.5 and 1.6 are very insensitive or extremely insensitive materials that are unlikely to accidentally detonate under normal conditions.
There is also a separate category for unstable explosives, defined as chemicals that are too heat-sensitive or too reactive for normal handling, transport, or use. These are considered the most dangerous and carry the signal word “Danger” on their labels.
Self-Reactive Substances
Self-reactive chemicals are thermally unstable and can decompose violently even without oxygen. They don’t need an external fuel source or an ignition spark to release dangerous amounts of energy. The most hazardous type (Type A) carries the warning “Heating may cause an explosion.” Type B self-reactives are slightly less severe, with labels reading “Heating may cause a fire or explosion.” Only Types A and B get the exploding bomb pictogram. Less reactive types (C through F) use a flame symbol instead, because their primary risk is fire rather than detonation.
Organic Peroxides
Organic peroxides are chemically unstable compounds that can decompose explosively, burn rapidly, or react dangerously with other materials. Like self-reactives, they are classified into types. Type A organic peroxides can detonate or deflagrate rapidly and carry the exploding bomb pictogram with the signal word “Danger.” Type B may also display this pictogram. Milder types use only the flame pictogram.
Signal Words Paired With This Pictogram
Most chemicals bearing the exploding bomb pictogram also carry the signal word “Danger,” which is the more severe of the two GHS signal words. This applies to unstable explosives, Divisions 1.1 through 1.3, and the most hazardous self-reactives and organic peroxides. Some lower-risk categories, such as Division 1.4 explosives and certain desensitized explosives, use the signal word “Warning” instead, indicating a less immediate but still real threat.
Where You’ll See This Symbol
In the United States, OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires this pictogram on the labels of any chemical product that meets the explosive, self-reactive (Type A or B), or organic peroxide (Type A or B) classification criteria. That includes workplace containers, shipped packages, and the safety data sheets that accompany chemical products. You may encounter it in construction, mining, manufacturing, laboratories, or any setting where explosive or highly reactive chemicals are stored or used.
The GHS labeling system is used in over 70 countries, so this pictogram looks the same whether you’re reading a label in the U.S., the EU, Japan, or Australia. Transport labels regulated by the Department of Transportation use a different visual system with their own diamond-shaped placards, but the underlying hazard classification is closely related.
Safety Precautions for These Chemicals
Labels with the exploding bomb pictogram will include specific precautionary statements, but several precautions are nearly universal across all chemicals in this category:
- Keep away from heat, sparks, and open flames. Even chemicals classified as “insensitive” can detonate under the right conditions.
- Do not handle until you’ve read all safety information. The safety data sheet will spell out what temperatures, friction levels, or impacts could trigger the substance.
- Wear protective equipment. Gloves, face shields, and body protection are standard requirements.
- Store properly. Self-reactive substances and organic peroxides often require temperature-controlled storage. Labels will specify the maximum safe storage temperature.
- Keep the container tightly closed. For desensitized explosives, which are stabilized with a wetting agent or other additive, letting the container dry out can dramatically increase the explosion risk.
In an emergency involving these chemicals, the standard response is to evacuate the area immediately. Fighting a fire involving explosives or detonation-capable chemicals is not something bystanders should attempt.
How It Differs From Other Pictograms
The exploding bomb is sometimes confused with the flame pictogram, since both involve chemicals that can release energy violently. The key distinction is the type of energy release. The flame pictogram covers chemicals that burn, either on their own or by making other materials burn faster. The exploding bomb covers chemicals that can produce a shockwave, a rapid pressure blast, or high-speed fragments. Some chemicals actually carry both pictograms if they pose fire and explosion risks under different conditions.
If you see the exploding bomb alongside other pictograms on the same label, each one flags a separate type of hazard. A chemical could be both explosive and corrosive, or both explosive and toxic. Read every pictogram and every hazard statement on the label to get the full picture.