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WHMIS stands for Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, which is used to provide health and safety info in Canadian workplaces. As required by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), businesses must adhere to WHMIS requirements for labels on hazardous products. It is an employer’s responsibility to ensure all hazardous products that enter the workplace have been properly labelled. The WHMIS safety labels alert users about the risks associated with the product. They are essential for ensuring the safety of employees in hazardous workplaces. With professional WHMIS training, workers can become familiar with this system and understand the meaning behind each label. They will also learn the protective measures on how to use and handle the dangerous products properly. Here are the ten different types of WHMIS labels and their symbol meanings: Type #1: Flame symbolsYou may recognize this common safety symbol, which features a flame and a line underneath it. This WHMIS label’s meaning indicates that the product is a potential fire hazard, meaning that it can ignite easily. The item may also combust rapidly if not stored and handled with care. The symbol should be attached to flammable products, along with materials that have the potential for combustion or thermal decomposition. Protect yourself from this hazard by:
Type #2: Flame over circle symbolsThe pictogram’s emblem depicts an “o” with the flame on top and a line below it. The “o” stands for oxygen. This WHMIS hazard symbol indicates that the product may cause a fire or an explosion if not stored and handled correctly. This label represents three physical hazard groups in WHMIS: oxidizing gases (Category 1), oxidizing liquids (Category 1, 2, 3), and oxidizing solids (Category 1, 2, 3). While the physical states of the three oxidizer hazard classes vary, they all pose a risk of fire or explosion. Proper handling and storage measures must be taken with these types of hazardous products. Protect yourself from this hazard by:
Type #3: Exploding bomb symbolsThe WHMIS safety symbol is represented by an exploding bomb. It indicates that the materials pose a severe fire and explosion hazard. Since these products are highly reactive and very volatile, they are rarely used in most workplaces. Any items with this label must be managed and stored under the strictest supervision. Specialized health and safety training will also be necessary. Protect yourself from this hazard by:
Type #4: Compressed gas symbolsThis WHMIS safety symbol depicts a gas cylinder. It is used for hazardous products that contain compressed gases, which include dissolved gas, compressed gas, liquefied gas, and refrigerated liquefied gas. The gases can be intentionally released by opening the cylinder valve. It may also be accidentally released via a broken or leaky valve. These gases are considered dangerous because they are placed in a highly pressurized state. When an unsecured gas cylinder is broken, it can spin out of control with great force, resulting in severe injuries and damages. In addition, refrigerated liquefied gases are extremely cold, which may trigger cryogenic burns or other freezing injuries. Protect yourself from this hazard by:
Type #5: Corrosion symbolsThis WHMIS hazard symbol depicts corrosive liquid dripping onto a hand and another onto a piece of metal. Hazardous items with this pictogram can destroy or damage metals. They may also cause permanent bodily damage, such as blisters, scarring, burns, or vision loss. Due to the toxicity of these products, proper storage and handling procedures must be followed. Protect yourself from this hazard by:
Type #6: Skull and crossbones symbolsThis WHMIS hazard symbol features a human skull and two crossed bones. It means that the product can cause poisoning or death. Users may be exposed to the toxicity through oral consumption, inhalation, or skin contact. Any poisonous products with Category 1 and Category 2 classifications can be fatal if swallowed, inhaled, or touched. Protect yourself from this hazard by:
Type #7: Exclamation mark symbolsThe exclamation mark in this WHMIS safety symbol indicates that a product is hazardous and can result in health consequences. These might include eye irritation, skin allergy responses, as well as organ toxicity. The exclamation mark is also sometimes used to denote products that are harmful to the ozone layer. Protect yourself from this hazard by:
Type #8: Health hazard symbolsThis pictogram shows a black silhouette of a person’s chest and head, with a white star extending from the middle of the chest. The WHMIS label indicates that a product is very hazardous and may result in serious long-term health effects. These include carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, and organ damage after single or prolonged exposure. There may also be other health effects which are not apparent right away. Protect yourself from this hazard by:
Type #9: Environment symbolsThe symbol in this pictogram depicts a tree without leaves and a dead fish. It represents harm to the environment. Labelling and classification of this hazard group is not mandatory, but a supplier may voluntarily choose to use it. Protect yourself from this hazard by:
Type #10: Biohazardous infectious materials symbolsWith a black circular border, this label is made up of the letter ‘c’ linked three times over a small circle in the centre. This WHMIS hazard symbol describes materials suspected of causing infections in humans and animals. Some examples in this hazard class include bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Protect yourself from this hazard by:
WHMIS labels provide guidance for navigating hazardous workplaces safely. You can learn more about these symbols and their meanings through Safety First Consulting’s WHMIS online course. This self-based training program equips you with comprehensive knowledge, allowing you to identify and manage various hazards in the workplace. What are the 8 hazard symbols?GB CLP hazard pictograms. Explosive (Symbol: exploding bomb). Flammable (Symbol: flame). Oxidising (Symbol: flame over circle). Corrosive (Symbol: corrosion). Acute toxicity (Symbol: skull and crossbones). Hazardous to the environment (Symbol: environment). Health hazard/Hazardous to the ozone layer (Symbol: exclamation mark). What do the hazard symbols mean?Hazard symbols or warning symbols are recognisable symbols designed to warn about hazardous or dangerous materials, locations, or objects, including electric currents, poisons, and radioactivity. The use of hazard symbols is often regulated by law and directed by standards organizations.
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