Creating Right-to-Know (RTK) and Chemical Identification Labels in DuraSuite

Overview

RTK labels provide important information about workplace chemicals and hazards for the benefit of employees, visitors, and end users.

NFPA labels provide critical information for emergency responders. RTK Color Bar labels provide information everyone can understand in non-emergency situations.

DuraSuite lets you use existing chemical information stored in its database or enter chemical and associated information manually. It provides pre-designed label templates that match various sizes of DuraLabel RTK die-cut labels.

NOTE: RTK label instructions contained in this guide apply to both NFPA and RTK Color Bar labels.

Selecting an NFPA Label from the Database

To select an NFPA label from the DuraSuite database, click on the NFPA Diamond icon displayed in the Module Selection box. (To select an RTK Color Bar label, click on the RTK Color Bar icon.)

A screen showing seven NFPA label sizes appears. Click on the size of NFPA label you want to create.

The label template you chose now appears.

Searching Chemicals in the Database

To find the chemical name you want on your label:

1. Select Name or CAS number as the search category from the Search By drop-down menu (A on graphic below).
2. Enter the chemical name or CAS number in the Search box (B on graphic below), depending on your previous selection.
3. Browse through the database using the navigation buttons (C on graphic below), using the F5 through F8 keys, or by selecting an item from the drop-down search results (D on graphic below).

The first search result is immediately displayed on the label. The status bar along the bottom of the screen (E on graphic above) displays the number of records that match the search criteria entered (e.g., “S”: “Found 117 records Displaying result number 1”).

NOTE: You can expand your search by placing an asterisk (*) at the beginning of your search string. This allows your string to be matched at any position in a chemical name or CAS number. For example, a search by chemical name for “*ban” yields the terms “Banana Oil,” “Dursban,” “Essence of Mirbane,” “Tetraethylplumbane,” and “Tetramethylplumbane.”

RESIZABLE SEARCH RESULTS LIST

When you use the Search box to find a term, a drop-down list appears. This drop-down list is resizable so that you can see more of the search results. The resizing control is indicated by the two diagonal lines in the lower left corner of the search results box. To resize the box, click and drag the resizing control.

Editing an Existing Label

Any information in DuraSuite Labeling Software’s chemical database can be edited for an NFPA or RTK Color Bar label at any time.

To begin editing an existing label, click the Edit Label button on the toolbar. Information on the existing label can now be altered by following the instructions described in section on “Populating a Label,” which applies both to creating a new label as well as editing an existing label.

NOTE: All chemical information is shared between different label formats so editing an existing label will affect any other templates using that chemical information.

Creating a New Label

If after searching you are unable to find a specific chemical in the database, you can enter the label information you want by clicking the New Label button on the DuraSuite toolbar.

Label information previously displayed is replaced with data entry boxes for the Chemical Name, Chemical Abstracts Service number (CAS), Signal Word, Health Hazards, Organ Hazards, and PPE Pictograms.

NOTE: Select 4" x 6" NFPA Diamond from the label drop-down menu. This will preformat chemical information for all other RTK and NFPA label formats.

You are now ready to change or add information to these boxes and set the NFPA Hazard Index Numbers.

NOTE: The same procedures are used to edit an existing label.

Populating a Label

POPULATING INFORMATION FIELDS

Follow these steps to populate your label’s information fields:

1. Enter the Chemical Name, an alphanumeric string of no more than 255 characters, in the Chemical Name section.
2. Enter the Chemical Abstracts Service number in the CAS # box.
3. Select the appropriate signal word from the drop-down list.
4. Enter NFPA Hazard Index Numbers in the Fire Hazard (red), Health Hazard (blue), and Instability (yellow) boxes by using their corresponding arrows. To set Specific Hazard(s), place a checkmark in the box(es) next to the item you want included, using the scroll bar to view the full list. Multiple Specific Hazards may not fit into the area provided by the label template. This will happen more frequently for the smaller labels. In this case a larger label template should be selected. If no Specific Hazard is selected, it will be displayed as a dash (-).

NOTE: Edit mode performs the same function as New Label mode; the difference is that in Edit mode fields are already filled with pre-populated data. DURASUITE is preloaded with a comprehensive list of health and organ hazards, warnings, and cautions, as well as numerous PPE, direction, information, and warning pictograms.

HEALTH HAZARD SELECTION

To add an item to a label’s Health Hazard section, click the button by the Health Hazards box.

The Health Hazards Selection dialog box appears, containing two sections: an “Available” section, including a list of descriptions, conditions, and instructions from which to choose, and a “Selected” section. Highlight the chosen item(s) in the Available list and move it to the Selected section using the appropriate arrows, shown below.

HAZARD AND PICTOGRAM SELECTION ARROWS

• Right Arrow: Adds the highlighted item from the Available list to the Selected list.
• Left Arrow: Removes the highlighted item from the Selected list.
• Double Right Arrows: Adds all items from the Available list to the Selected list.
• Double Left Arrows: Removes all items from the Selected list.

To remove an item from the Health Hazard section, highlight the chosen item(s) in the Selected list and move it to the Available list using the appropriate arrow.

To add a new health hazard term to the list, click the Add button. The Add to Health Hazard Selection dialog box appears. Enter one new health hazard term per line.

When finished adding new health hazard terms, click OK and the new items are added to the list of available terms.

ORGAN HAZARD SELECTION

To add an item to the Organ Hazards section, click the button by the Organ Hazards box.

The Organ Hazard Selection dialog box appears, containing two sections: an “Available” section, including a list of body parts and systems from which to choose, and a “Selected” section.

Highlight the chosen item(s) in the Available list and move it to the Selected list using the appropriate arrow.

To remove an item from the Organ Hazard section, highlight the item in the Selected list and move it to the Available list using the appropriate arrow.

To add a new organ hazard term to the list, click the Add button. The Add to Organ Hazard Selection dialog box appears. Enter one new organ or system term per line.

When finished adding new organ hazard terms, click OK and the new items are added to the list of available terms.

SYMBOL SELECTION

Symbols may be added to labels at least 3" x 5" in size. To add a PPE, direction, information, or warning pictogram to the pictogram section, click the button to the right of the pictogram box.

A Symbol Selection dialog box appears, containing two sections: an “Available” section, including a list of pictograms from which to choose, and a “Selected” section.

Highlight the chosen item(s) in the Available list and move it to the Selected list using the appropriate arrow.

To remove an item from the pictogram section, highlight the item in the Selected list and move it to the Available list using the appropriate arrow.

IMPORTING NEW SYMBOLS

To add to the available symbols, DuraSuite lets you import images from your hard drive. To import new symbols, click the button to the right of the pictogram box. A Symbol Selection dialog box appears, containing two sections: an “Available” section and “Selected” section.

Click on the Import button just below the Available section. A file dialog box appears. Select the image you want to add and click the Open button. The new image is added to the Available list.

NOTE: DuraSuite supports the import of full-color images, but output color will be determined by ribbon color, not screen colors. Full-color printing is supported by the DuraLabel Catalyst color printer.

DISPLAY/HIDE PICTOGRAMS

On labels 3" x 5" or larger, pictograms can be replaced by a Comments section, providing the option of having either pictograms or text displayed on the label.

Choose between the two layout scenarios by clicking the Show/Hide Symbols button on the toolbar. This button toggles between showing pictograms or showing a Comments section. 2" x 2" and 1" x 3" NFPA Diamond labels do not display pictograms or comments due to size constraints.

Saving a Label

To save a label, click the Save button. The label is now saved to the database and the current mode switches to Display.

LEAVING NEW LABEL MODE WITHOUT SAVING

To leave the New Label mode, click the New Label button while a new label is open. A dialog box appears, asking if you would like to save the changes.

If “Yes” is clicked, the label is saved and displayed. If “No” is clicked, the information that was added is discarded and the first chemical in the current search is displayed.

Saving Changes to an Edited Label

Save changes to an edited label by clicking the Save button. The changes are saved, and the edited label is displayed. The saved label will permanently overwrite the original label.

To add a new label without overwriting the original label, go to File > Save As.

A Save Record As dialog box will appear. The chemical name of your label will automatically appear under the Chemical Name. Click the OK button. The label is now saved to the database and the current mode switches to Display.

NOTE: Changing the Chemical Name in the Save Record As dialog box will also change the chemical name on your label.

LEAVING EDIT MODE WITHOUT SAVING

To exit the Edit mode without saving changes, click the Edit Label button. A dialog box appears, asking if you would like to save changes. Click “No.” The changes are discarded, and the original label is displayed.

More Support Options

If you have any questions about using DuraSuite label design software, get help from Graphic Products’ world-class support team by calling 800-788-5572 or visiting GraphicProducts.com. We’re here to help with all your labeling needs!