Lesson 2: WHMIS Class Symbols

Glossary


Learning WHMIS Class Symbols


In WHMIS, products are first assessed to
a) see if they are hazardous and to
b) identify the type of hazard.

Any product that has been assessed as hazardous is considered a "controlled product" and must become part of WHMIS. 

A controlled product is a hazardous substance that requires proper WHMIS labeling and handling practices.

There are 10 hazard symbols that are used to identify controlled substances.  Click on each pictogram name below to see the pictogram and a description of the hazard.

 
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Gases under pressure (compressed gas, liquefied gas, refrigerated liquefied gas, dissolved gas) 

 

  • fire hazards
  • flammables (gases, aerosols, liquids, solids)
  • self-reactive substances and mixtures 
  • pyrophoric liquids, solids, and gases
  • self-heating substances and mixtures
  • substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases
  • organic peroxides
 
                                               

  • may cause less serious health effects or damage to the ozone layer
  • skin corrosion/irritation
  • acute toxicity (harmful)
  • serious eye damage/eye irritation
  • respiratory or skin sensitization
  • specific target organ toxicity
 

  • can cause death or toxicity with short exposure to small amounts
  • acute toxicity (severe)
 

  • oxidizing gases
  • oxidizing liquids
  • oxidizing solids
 

  • explosive
  • self-reactive (severe)
  • organic peroxide (severe)
 

  • serious eye damage
  • skin corrosion
  • corrosive to metals
 

  • Biohazardous Infectious Materials
  • for organisms or toxins that can cause diseases in people or animals
 

  • Carcinogenicity
  • Respiratory Sensitization
  • Reproductive Toxicity
  • Specific Target Organ Toxicity
  • Germ Cell Mutagenicity
  • Aspiration Hazard
 

  • Aquatic Toxicity - may cause damage to the aquatic environment
 
Click here if you would you like a bookmark of the WHMIS Pictograms.