Science 9: WHMIS Safety Symbols

Explosive

Can become explosive if not handled in proper conditions

May cause damage to surroundings

May be sensitive to temperature and light changes

eg: hairspray

Handle with care, do not drop or expose to heat

Store in designated areas

Wear proper PPE, eye, face, and hand protection and protective clothing

Flammable and Combustible Materials

Potential fire hazard

May burn at a relatively low temperature

Sparks, flame, or friction could ignite substance

May burst into flame spontaneously in air or release a flammable gas on contact with water

Eg: gasoline, bug repellent

Keep away from heat sources and other combustible materials

Never smoke when working with or near the materials

Store in a cool, fire-proof area

Oxidizing Materials

Fire or explosion risk near flammable or combustible material

May burn skin or eyes on contact

May or may not burn itself, but will release oxygen or another oxidizing substance

Cause or help other similar materials to burn

Eg: chlorine, bleach

Keep away from combustible materials

Store in designated areas

Keep away from sources of ignition

Never smoke near substance

Wear proper PPE, eye, face, and hand protection and protective clothing

Compressed Gas

Gas kept under pressure in cylinders

Heat may cause the container to explode

A drop or impact may cause the container to explode

May carry health hazards (toxic, flammable, corrosive)

Eg: propane, fire extinguisher

Handle with care

Keep away form heat/potential sources of ignition

Store in designated areas

Large cylinders must be stored with a chain

Corrosive Materials

Eat through skin or corrode materials (aluminum, steel)

Damage can be destructive and irreversible

Eg: chlorine, bleach

Avoid skin and eye contact by wearing proper PPE, eye, face, and hand protection and protective clothing

Avoid inhaling by working in well-ventilated areas

Store in designated areas only

Poisonous (Acute Toxicity)

Immediately dangerous to life and health

May cause death/toxicity with short exposure to small amounts

Eg: bleach

Handle with extreme caution

Avoid contact with the skin or eyes, proper protective clothing

Avoid inhaling by working in well-ventilated areas

Respiratory equipment

Wash/shower after using

Store in designated areas

Health Hazard

Products that cause chronic health effects or chronic toxicity that can occur from long turm exposure to a product

May cause death or permanent damage from repeated exposure

Eg: formaldehyde

Proper PPE, eye, face, and hand protection and proper clothing

Do not ingest

Limit repeated exposure

Exclamation Mark

Poisonous but not immediately dangerous to health

Includes materials that can cause immediate irritation (eyes, skin, lungs)

Eg: toilet bowl cleaners, drain openers

Avoid skin and eye contact by wearing PPE

Avoid inhaling by working in well-ventilated areas

Use respiratory equipment

Store in designated areas

Environmental Hazard

Negative impact on aquatic environment

Includes short-term and long-term toxic impacts to aquatic life due to exposure

Eg: pesticides

Wear PPE

Do not ingest

Store and dispose of in designated areas only

Biohazardous Infectious Materials

Includes organisms and the toxins they may produce can cause disease

Eg: salmonella, hepatitis B virus, certain fungi and molds, contaminated blood and pathogenic bacteria cultures, etc.

Wear proper PPE

Don’t ingest

Store and dispose of in designated areas