Lesson 2.1 - Chemicals at School and Work

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

Chemicals used in workplaces are labelled using the WHMIS system. Read the text at the top of page 8 of the textbook to find what WHMIS means.

You are required to know the meaning of each of the eight WHMIS symbols. To learn what the eight symbols look like, turn to Figure 1.3 on page 8 of your textbook. Then, answer the following question.

Question 1. What does WHMIS mean? Write what you think each symbol in Figure 1.3 means. You will find the answers to this question in the next activity.

Use the CD stored on the inside of the front cover of your textbook.

  1. Insert the science.connect1 Multimedia CD into your computer.
  2. Open the PC folder if you have a PC or open the Mac folder if you have a Mac computer.
  3. Double-click the menu file, launch the applet WHMIS.
  4. Then, follow the instructions.
  5. When you have completed all the activities in WHMIS on the CD, you can print a certificate of completion.

Using the knowledge you gained from the WHMIS activity, answer the following question.

Question 2. Compare your answers that you wrote in question 1 to the real meanings of the symbols given in the WHMIS activity on the CD.

Then, return here to continue this lesson.

Chemical shipments to the workplace or school are all packaged carefully in labelled containers. The label on the container indicates the precautions that must be taken with the chemical. The following picture is the label on a container of copper(II) chloride dihydrate.

Question 3. What is the meaning of the WHMIS symbol on the label?

Question 4. Read the precautions and tell what kinds of safety equipment should be worn when working with this chemical.

Question 5. If some of the chemical got into someone's eyes, what should you do?

Then, return here to continue this lesson.

Material Safety Data Sheet

Chemical shipments to the workplace or school are provided with MSDS. This chemical, copper(II) chloride dihydrate, had the following MSDS sheet inside a plastic bag taped to the container. Read the MSDS and answer the questions that follow.

Question 6. Which provides the most information: the WHMIS symbol, the label, or the MSDS?

Question 7. Which provides information that is easiest to use: the WHMIS symbol, the label, or the MSDS?

Question 8. How should this chemical be stored?

Question 9. How would you clean up a spill of this chemical?

Then, return here to continue this lesson.











Answers to Questions:

Question 1. Write what you think each symbol in Figure 1.3 means. You will find the answers to this question in the next activity.

You should have a list of meanings for the symbols written down. Your answers may or may not be correct because you were guessing!

Question 2. Compare your answers that you wrote in question 1 to the real meanings of the symbols given in the WHMIS activity on the CD.

You may have to go back to the WHMIS activity on the CD to write the correct answers so that you can compare them to your guesses.

Click to return to where you left off in this lesson.











Answers to Questions:

Question 3.What is the meaning of the WHMIS symbol on the label?

The WHMIS symbol means that the chemical is corrosive.

Question 4. Read the precautions and tell what kinds of safety equipment should be worn when working with this chemical.

You should wear gloves, a lab coat, safety glasses, and a breathing apparatus (a mask at the minimum). Although the question did not ask this, you should have easy access to running water and a shower.

Question 5. If some of the chemical got into someone's eyes, what should you do?

Click to return to where you left off in this lesson.










Answers to Questions:

Question 6. Which provides the most information: the WHMIS symbol, the label, or the MSDS?

The MSDS provides the most information.

Question 7. Which provides information that is easiest to use: the WHMIS symbol, the label, of the MSDS?

The WHMIS symbol provides the easiest-to-use information because you can tell at a glance the dangers the chemical poses. From that, you can decide which reasonable safety precautions should be taken even before you read the label or MSDS.

Question 8. How should this chemical be stored?

Keep container in a cool, well-ventilated area. Keep this chemical away from incompatible materials.

Question 9. How would you clean up a spill of this chemical?

Use appropriate tools to put the spilled solid in a convenient waste disposal container. Wash spill area with soap and water.


Go to the next page to learn about symbols on home products.