INTRODUCTION  |  HAZARDOUS SYMBOLS  |  LABELS  |  SDS’S  |  SAFETY  |  QUIZ

WHMIS Hazardous Symbols

There are six (6) main WHMIS hazard classes. In general, each class has a specific symbol to help people quickly recognize the hazard. However, one hazard class has three (3) symbols, so there are a total of eight (8) symbols.

Pictograms (Symbols) and Their Hazards

Compressed Gas
CLASS A

Hazard Type:

• Gases under pressure.

Indicates:

• Poses an explosion danger because the gas is being held in a cylinder under pressure.
• May cause it’s container to explode if heated in a fire.
• May cause it’s container to explode if dropped.

Workers Should:

• Handle with care, do not drop cylinder.
• Keep cylinder away from potential sources of ignition.
• Store the container in the area designated by your supervisor.

 

Combustible and Flammable Material
Class B

Hazard Type:

• Flammables (gases, aerosols, liquids, solids),
• Pyrophoric (liquids, solids, gases),
• Self-reactive substances and mixtures,
• Self-heating substances and mixtures,
• Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases, Organic peroxides.

Indicates:

• Is one that will burn and is therefore a potential fire hazard.
• May burn at relatively low temperatures; flammable materials catch fire at lower temperatures than combustible materials.
• May burst into flames spontaneously in air or release a flammable gas on contact with water.
• May cause a fire when exposed to heat, sparks, flames or as a result of friction.

Workers Should:

• Keep the material away from heat sources and other combustible materials.
• Never smoke

 Oxidizing Material
CLASS C 

Hazard Type:

• Oxidizing (liquids, solids, gases)

 Indicates:

• Poses a fire and/or explosion risk in the presence of flammable or combustible materials.
• May cause fire when it comes into contact with combustible materials such as wood.
• May react violently or cause an explosion when it comes in contact with combustible materials such as fuels.
• May burn skin, eyes upon contact.

Workers Should:

• Keep the material away from combustible materials and store in areas designated by your supervisor.
• Keep the materials away from sources of ignition.
• Wear the proper protective equipment, including eye, face and hand protection and protective clothing.

 

Poisonous and Infectious Material: 
Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects
CLASS D, Division 1 

Hazard Type:

• Acute toxicity (fatal or toxic)

Indicates:

• Is a fatal poisonous substance.
• May be fatal or cause permanent damage if it is inhaled or swallowed or if it enters the body through skin contact.

Workers Should:

• Handle the material with extreme caution.
• Avoid contact with the skin or eyes by wearing proper protective equipment, including eye, face and hand protection and protective clothing.
• Avoid inhaling by working in well-ventilated areas and/or wearing respiratory equipment.
• Wash and shower thoroughly after using.
• Store the material in designated areas only.

 

Poisonous and Infectious Material:
Other Toxic Effects
CLASS D, Division 2

Hazard Type:

• Carcinogenicity, Germ cell mutagenicity, Respiratory sensitization, Reproductive toxicity,
• Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure, Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure, Aspiration hazard.

 Indicates:

• Is a poisonous substance that is not immediately dangerous to health.
• May cause death or permanent damage as a result of repeated exposure over time.
• May be a skin or eye irritant.
• May be a sensitizer, which produces a chemical allergy.
• May cause Cancer.
• May cause birth defects or sterility.

 Workers Should:

• Avoid skin and eye contact by wearing the necessary protective equipment, including eye, face and hand protection and protective clothing.
• Avoid inhaling by working in well-ventilated areas and/or wearing respiratory equipment as designated by your supervisor.
• Store the material in designated places only.

 Poisonous and Infectious Material:
Biohazardous Infectious Material
CLASS D, Division 3

Hazard Type:

• Biohazardous infectious materials.

 Indicates:

• May cause a serious disease resulting in illness or death.

 Workers Should:

• Take every measure to avoid contamination.
• Handle the material only when fully protected by the proper, designated equipment.
• Handle the material in designated areas where engineering controls are in place to prevent exposure.

 

Corrosive Material
CLASS E

Hazard Type:

• Corrosive to metals, Skin corrosion, Serious eye damage.

Indicates:

• Causes severe eye and skin irritation upon contact.
• Causes severe tissue damage with prolonged contact.
• May be harmful if inhaled.

Workers Should:

• Keep containers tightly closed.
• Avoid skin and eye contact by wearing the necessary protective equipment, including eye, face, hand protection and protective clothing.
• Avoid inhaling by working in well-ventilated areas and/or wearing respiratory equipment as designated by your supervisor.

 

Dangerously Reactive
CLASS F

Hazard Type:

• Self-reactive substances and mixtures, Organic peroxides

Indicates:

• Is very unstable.
• May react with water to release a toxic or flammable gas.
• May explode as a result of shock, friction or increase in temperature.
• May explode if heated when in a closed container.
• Undergoes vigorous polymerization.

Workers Should:

• Keep the material away from heat.
• Open containers carefully; do not drop them.
• Store the material in a cool, flame-proof area, as designated by your supervisor.

New GHS Explosives and Environmental Hazard Classes

Explosives

Hazard Type:

• Unstable explosives
• Self-reactive substances and mixtures

Environmental Hazard

 Hazard Type:

• Acute hazards to the aquatic environment.
• Chronic hazards to the aquatic environment.

Hazardous To The Ozone Layer

 Hazard Type:

• Hazardous to the ozone layer

INTRODUCTION  |  HAZARDOUS SYMBOLS  |  LABELS  |  SDS’S  |  SAFETY  |  QUIZ

The label is the first and most basic form
of WHMIS hazard warning to workers.

 

Two kinds of labels are required by WHMIS:

1. Supplier Labels
2. Workplace Labels

 

1. Supplier Labels

All Hazardous materials coming into the workplace must have a Supplier Label containing the following information:

 

Product Identifier

The product name exactly as it appears on the container and on the Safety Data Sheet (SDS). It may be coded, numerical or common name.

Hazard Symbols

Hazard pictogram symbols, determined by the hazard classification of the product. In some cases, no pictogram is required.

Risk Word or Phrases

“Danger” or “Warning” or “Flammable” is used to emphasize hazards and indicate the severity of the hazard.

Hazard Statements

Brief standardized statements of all hazards based on the hazard classification of the product.

Precautionary Statements

These statements describe recommended measures to minimize or prevent adverse effects from exposure to the product, including protective equipment and emergency measures. First aid is included in precautionary information.

Supplier Identifier

The company which made, packaged, sold or imported the product, and is responsible for the label and SDS. Ways to contact the supplier for additional product information.

 

Suppliers Labels must be enclosed with a Hatched Border and in the two official Canadian Languages, English and French.

 

2. Workplace Labels

Unlabeled containers must be given a Workplace Label with the following information:

1. Product Name (Identifier)
2. Safe Handling Procedures/Information
3. Reference to SDS

• Example: If a portion of the material is removed from the supplier labeled container and transferred to a new container. The new container must be labeled accordingly.
• If the Supplier Label is Damaged or Missing then it should be replaced with a Workplace Label.

 

INTRODUCTION  |  HAZARDOUS SYMBOLS  |  LABELS  |  SDS’S  |  SAFETY  |  QUIZ

Safety Data Sheets

Safety Data Sheets or SDS are detailed documents with information on the Technical and Hazard aspects of a controlled substance. These are sent from the Supplier along with the substance itself.

• SDS must be no more than 3 years old
• Information on the SDS must be in the principal language of the Workplace
• Employer’s must have an SDS for each hazardous product
• SDS’s must be available for all worker’s to review

 

Each SDS provides detailed information about a controlled product and is usually divided into ten broad categories.

1. Product Information

Product, supplier/Manufacturer and describes uses of the products. 

 

2. Hazardous Ingredients

Name, concentration and toxicity of each of the hazardous ingredients of a product

 

3. Chemical & Physical Data

Physical properties of the product. Example: Solid, Liquid, Gas 

 

4. Fire or Explosion Hazard Data

How likely the product is to ignite or explode under various conditions.

 

5. Reactivity Data

Chemical Stability of the product and how likely it is to react with other chemicals.

 

6. Toxicological Properties

How the product enters the body as well as it’s short and long term health effects.

 

7. Preventive Measures

Emergency and safe handling instructions.

 

8. Emergency First Aid

Immediate treatment of an exposed person.

 

9. Transportation/Handling Info.

Safe transportation and handling instructions.

 

10. Preparation Information

Name and telephone number or the person who prepared the SDS and the date

of the preparation.

INTRODUCTION  |  HAZARDOUS SYMBOLS  |  LABELS  |  SDS’S  |  SAFETY  |  QUIZ

Routes of Entry

There are three (4) ways that a substance can enter your body:

Ingestion

The substance is taken in through the mouth

Example: Accidental swallowing of a cleaning product.

Inhalation

The substance is taken in into the lungs through either the nose or the mouth

Example: Breathing in paint fumes in a small room

Absorption

 The substance is taken in through the surface of the skin

Example: Working with chemicals for a prolonged period of time without protective gloves. Solvents soaking through the skin.

Injection

The substance is taken in through the surface of the skin into the body

While uncommon in most workplaces, it can occur when a sharp object (e.g., needle) punctures the skin and injects a chemical (or virus) directly into the bloodstream.

Acute & Chronic

• Acute Effects occur immediately or very soon after exposure.
  Example: Immediate irritation of eyes after exposure to an acid mist.

• Chronic Effects are delayed occurring after years of exposure.
  Example: Development of Chronic Bronchitis and or Emphysema after long exposure to acid mist.

INTRODUCTION  |  HAZARDOUS SYMBOLS  |  LABELS  |  SDS’S  |  SAFETY  |  QUIZ

Health & Safety Information and Acknowledgement

 

Health and Safety Duties of Workers 

In accordance with applicable Health & Safety Act of Ontario, you aggress to your rights and responsibilities to:

• Work in compliance with applicable Health & Safety Act and/or regulations.
• Use or wear equipment, protective devices or clothing required by the employer.
• Report to the supervisor of any defective equipment or protective devices that may be hazardous.
• Do not use or operate any equipment or work in a way that may endanger any worker.
• Do not engage in any prank, contest, and eat of strength, unnecessary running
• or rough boisterous conduct.
• Do not use any drug or alcohol substance while under our employment.
• Refuse any unsafe work and advise the Agency, if you are asked to perform work that
• you feel is, or could be unsafe.
• Ask for training on any equipment you are asked to use and operate all equipment in a safe manner: wear protective devices, devices, equipment or clothing as required by the position or work site.
• Refuse any work that you are not certify for where the client’s site did not provide adequate training to ensure competency.

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