WHMIS
Now take some time exploring the table of WHMIS pictograms and the expanded descriptions of classes and categories that follow it. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety is a central reference point for information about health and safety legislation and practice in Canada. Feel free to explore its site further if you are looking for more information.
Ideally, you want to appreciate that any chemical you may come in contact with during future studies or employment has been classified according to WHMIS. Look for a WHMIS label and understand the need to take time to read the safety information. Then, act with knowledge and the necessary caution.
The following pictograms will be associated with hazard classes and categories. Select each one to learn more.
Flame (for fire hazards)
- Covers many different types of chemicals, all of which have the potential to catch fire.
- These products have the ability to ignite (catch fire) easily and the main hazards are fire or explosion.
- These products may catch fire very quickly if exposed to air when they are exposed for long periods of time or in large amounts
- These products react with water to release flammable gases. In some cases, the flammable gases may ignite very quickly (spontaneously).
- These products may cause a fire or explosion if heated.
- These products may react on their own to cause a fire or explosion, or may cause a fire or explosion if heated.
Flame over circle (for oxidizing hazards)
- Oxidizers are chemicals that can cause fires to occur, even without oxygen present. They make already existing fires hotter and burn faster.
- These products may cause or intensify a fire or cause a fire or explosion.
Gas cylinder (for gases under pressure)
- This class includes compressed gases, liquefied gases, dissolved gases and refrigerated liquefied gases.
- Compressed gases, liquefied gases and dissolved gases are hazardous because of the high pressure inside the cylinder or container. The cylinder or container may explode if heated.
- Refrigerated liquefied gases are very cold and can cause severe cold (cryogenic) burns or injury.
Corrosion
(for corrosive damage to metals as well as skin, eyes)
- These products may be corrosive (chemically damage or destroy) to metals.
- Will cause severe skin burns (ie. corrosion) and/or cause skin irritation
- Can cause serious eye damage (i.e., corrosion) and eye irritation.
Skull and Crossbones
(can cause death or toxicity with short exposure to small amounts)
- These products are fatal, toxic, or harmful if inhaled, following skin contact, or if swallowed.
- Acute toxicity refers to effects occurring following skin contact or ingestion exposure to a single dose, or multiple doses given within 24 hours, or an inhalation exposure of 4 hours.
- Acute toxicity could result from exposure to the product itself, or to a product that, upon contact with water, releases a gaseous substance that is able to cause acute toxicity.
Health hazard
(may cause or suspected of causing serious health effects)
- This category includes respiratory and skin sensitizers, mutagens, carcinogens, and products that cause reproductive or organ toxicity, and aspiration hazards.
- A respiratory sensitizer is a product that may cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled. Skin sensitizer is a product that may cause an allergic skin reaction.
- Mutagens include products that may cause or are suspected of causing genetic defects (permanent changes [mutations] to body cells that can be passed on to future generations).
- Carcinogens include products that may cause or are suspected of causing cancer.
- Reproductive toxic products may damage or are suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child (baby).
Exclamation mark
(may cause less serious health effects or damage the ozone layer)
- These products can cause health effects through oral, dermal, or inhalation pathways.
- Can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritations, skin sensitization, organ toxicity, and dizziness.
- Product with this symbol may be hazardous to the ozone layer.
Exploding bomb (for explosion or reactivity hazards)
- These products may react on their own to cause a fire or explosion, or may cause a fire or explosion if heated.
Biohazardous infectious materials
(for organisms or toxins that can cause diseases in people or animals)
- These materials are microorganisms, nucleic acids, or proteins that cause—or are probable causes of—infection, with or without toxicity, in humans or animals
Environment
(may cause damage to the aquatic environment)
- These products pose either acute or chronic hazards to aquatic systems.
Now, please try this matching game to see if you can remember the hazard that each pictogram/symbol represents. FIRST, select a pictogram. NEXT, select the hazard description that matches. If it is an incorrect match, keep trying until you get the correct match.
Pictograms
Definition
Matches
All manufacturers, distributors and importers of chemical products sold to Canadian consumers must assess the risks of each product they sell, then display hazard symbols, warning statements, instructions and first-aid treatment on their products‘ containers.
Labels must be in English and French. They may be bilingual (as one label), or be presented as two labels (one each in English and French).
Parts of a product label:
- A pictogram is a graphic representation of the hazard posed by the product.
- A signal word alerts you to the product‘s degree or level of hazard. Only two signal words used: "Danger" or "Warning"; a “Danger” hazard is more severe than one marked “Warning”.
- Hazard statements are short, standardized sentences that provide information about the exact hazard of the product. For example, “Fatal if swallowed”. A product that “may cause” is more hazardous than one that “is suspected of causing”.
- A product identifier is the common/brand/chemical name of the product.
- A precautionary statement tells you how to minimize and/or prevent hazards associated with the product. Instructions about storage, handling, first aid, personal protection and emergency protocol may be outlined. For example, “Wear eye protection”.
Labels will require the following:
- the pictogram, signal word, and hazard statement are to be grouped together
- to be clearly and prominently displayed on the container
- to be easy to read (e.g., you can see it easily without using any item except corrective glasses)
- to be in contrast with other information on the product or container
Select the button to see the example of labels, together with a quiz activity.
Select the area of the product label best described by each of the following statements:
Statement: 1/5
This part is short, contains standardized sentences that provides information about the exact hazard of the product.
Well done! Hazard statements are short, standardized sentences that provide information about the exact hazard of the product. For example, “Fatal if swallowed”. A product that “may cause” is more hazardous than one that “is suspected of causing”.
Not quite. Let’s take a look at that again. Hazard statements are short, standardized sentences that provide information about the exact hazard of the product. For example, “Fatal if swallowed”. A product that “may cause” is more hazardous than one that “is suspected of causing”. Try again!
The correct answer is displayed. Hazard statements are short, standardized sentences that provide information about the exact hazard of the product. For example, “Fatal if swallowed”. A product that “may cause” is more hazardous than one that “is suspected of causing”.
Select the area of the product label best described by each of the following statements:
Statement: 2/5
It is the common/brand/chemical name of the product.
You’re right! The product identifier is the common/brand/chemical name of the product.
That was a great attempt. Let’s take a minute to review your thinking. The product identifier is the common/brand/chemical name of the product.
The correct answer is displayed. The product identifier is the common/brand/chemical name of the product.
Select the area of the product label best described by each of the following statements:
Statement: 3/5
A signal word that alerts you to the product’s degree or level of hazard.
Great job! A signal word alerts you to the product’s degree or level of hazard. Only two signal words used: "Danger" or "Warning"; a “Danger” hazard is more severe than one marked “Warning”.
This is a tough question. Consider the following: A signal word alerts you to the product’s degree or level of hazard. Only two signal words used: "Danger" or "Warning"; a “Danger” hazard is more severe than one marked “Warning”.
The correct answer is displayed. A signal word alerts you to the product’s degree or level of hazard. Only two signal words used: "Danger" or "Warning"; a “Danger” hazard is more severe than one marked “Warning”.
Select the area of the product label best described by each of the following statements:
Statement: 4/5
It is a graphic representation of the hazard posed by the product.
Well done! You’re making great progress. The pictogram is a graphic representation of the hazard posed by the product.
Almost. You’re making significant progress, so keep trying. The pictogram is a graphic representation of the hazard posed by the product.
The correct answer is displayed. The pictogram is a graphic representation of the hazard posed by the product.
Select the area of the product label best described by each of the following statements:
Statement: 5/5
This part tells you how to minimize and/or prevent hazards associated with the product.
That’s correct! A precautionary statement tells you how to minimize and/or prevent hazards associated with the product. Instructions about storage, handling, first aid, personal protection and emergency protocol may be outlined. For example, “Wear eye protection”.
Not quite. Let’s take a look at that again. A precautionary statement tells you how to minimize and/or prevent hazards associated with the product. Instructions about storage, handling, first aid, personal protection and emergency protocol may be outlined. For example, “Wear eye protection”.
The correct answer is displayed. A precautionary statement tells you how to minimize and/or prevent hazards associated with the product. Instructions about storage, handling, first aid, personal protection and emergency protocol may be outlined. For example, “Wear eye protection”.