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WHMIS Hazard Symbols

WHMIS groups hazardous materials into six classes or categories, based on the type of hazard which they represent. These materials are also called "controlled products." Each category has its own hazard symbol. It is important that employees be able to recognize these.

Class A
COMPRESSED GAS
This class includes compressed gases, dissolved gases and gases liquefied by compression or refrigeration .
Class A materials:

pose an explosion danger because the gas is being held in a container under pressure;

may cause their container to explode if heated (such as what would happen in a fire);

may also cause their container to explode if dropped.

When handling Class A materials, you should:

handle with care: do not drop container;

keep container away from potential sources of ignition;

store the container in designated areas.

Examples of Class A materials: gas cylinders for oxyacetylene welding or water disinfection.

Class B
FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL
This class includes solids, liquids and gases capable of catching fire or exploding in the presence of a source of ignition.
Class B materials:

will burn and are therefore potential fire hazards.

may burn at relatively low temperatures; flammable materials catch fire at lower temperatures than combustible materials.

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

may cause a fire when exposed to heat, sparks, or flames or as a result of friction;

When handling Class B materials, you should:

keep the material away from heat sources and other combustible materials;

never smoke when working with or near the material;

store the containers in designated areas.

Examples: white phosphorus, acetone and butane. Flammable liquids such as acetone are more easily ignited than combustible liquids such as kerosene.

Class C
OXIDIZING MATERIAL
This class includes materials which provide oxygen or similar substances and which increase the risk of fire if they come into contact with flammable or combustible materials.
Class C materials:

pose a fire and/or explosion risk in the presence of flammable or combustible material;

may cause fire when they come in contact with combustible materials such as wood;

may react violently or cause an explosion when they come in contact with combustible materials such as fuels;

may burn skin and eyes upon contact.

When handling Class C materials, you should:

wear the proper protective equipment, including eye, face, and hand protection and protective clothing;

keep the material away from combustible materials;

keep the material away from sources of ignition;

never smoke when working with or near the material;

store the containers in designated areas.

Examples: sodium hypochlorite, perchloric acid, inorganic peroxides.

Class D
POISONOUS & INFECTIOUS MATERIAL

Class D
Division 1
D1: Poisonous & Infectious Materials - Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects
This division includes materials causing immediate and serious toxic effects. These materials can cause the death of a person exposed to small amounts.
Class D, Division 1 materials:

are potentially fatal poisonous substances;

may cause permanent damage if inhaled or swallowed or if they enter the body through skin contact;

may burn eyes or skin upon contact.

When handling Class D, Division 1 materials, you should:

handle the materials with extreme caution;

avoid contact with the skin or eyes by wearing the 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 containers in designated areas.

Examples: sodium cyanide, hydrogen sulphide.

Class D
Division 2
D2: Poisonous & Infectious Materials Causing Other Toxic Effects
This division includes materials causing immediate eye and/or skin irritation as well as those which can cause long-term effects in a person repeatedly exposed to small amounts.
Class D, Division 2 materials:

are poisonous substances that are not immediately dangerous to health;

may cause death or permanent damage as a result of repeated exposures 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.

When handling Class D, Division 2 materials, you should:

avoid contact with the skin or eyes by wearing the 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;

store the containers in designated areas.

Examples: acetone (irritant), asbestos (carcinogen), toluene diisocyanate (senzitizer).

Class D
Division 3
D3: Biohazardous Infectious Materials
This division includes materials which contain harmful microorganisms.
Class D, Division 3 materials:
may cause a serious disease, resulting in illness or death.
When handling Class D, Division 3 materials, you 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.
Examples: cultures or diagnostic specimens containing salmonella bacteria or the hepatitis B virus.

Class E
CORROSIVE MATERIAL
Class E materials are acid or caustic materials which can destroy the skin and/or eat through metals.
Class E materials:

cause severe eye and skin irritation upon contact;

cause severe tissue damage with prolonged contact;

may be harmful if inhaled.

When handling Class E materials, you should:

keep containers tightly closed;

avoid contact with the skin or eyes by wearing the 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.

Examples: muriatic acid, lye.

Class F
DANGEROUSLY REACTIVE MATERIAL
Class F materials can undergo dangerous reaction if subjected to heat, pressure, or shock or if allowed to contact water.
Class F materials:

are 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;

may undergo vigorous polymerization.

When handling Class F materials, you should:

keep material away from heat;

open containers carefully, do not drop them;

store the material in a cool, flame-proof designated area.

Examples: plastic monomers such as butadiene and some cyanides.

WHMIS

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Class A	COMPRESSED GAS This class includes compressed gases, dissolved gases and gases liquefied by compression or refrigeration . Class A materials: pose an explosion danger because the gas is being held in a container under pressure; may cause their container to explode if heated (such as what would happen in a fire); may also cause their container to explode if dropped. When handling Class A materials, you should: handle with care: do not drop container; keep container away from potential sources of ignition; store the container in designated areas. Examples of Class A materials: gas cylinders for oxyacetylene welding or water disinfection.
Class B	FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL This class includes solids, liquids and gases capable of catching fire or exploding in the presence of a source of ignition. Class B materials: will burn and are therefore potential fire hazards. may burn at relatively low temperatures; flammable materials catch fire at lower temperatures than combustible materials. may burst into flame spontaneously in air or may release a flammable gas on contact with water; may cause a fire when exposed to heat, sparks, or flames or as a result of friction; When handling Class B materials, you should: keep the material away from heat sources and other combustible materials; never smoke when working with or near the material; store the containers in designated areas. Examples: white phosphorus, acetone and butane. Flammable liquids such as acetone are more easily ignited than combustible liquids such as kerosene.
Class C	OXIDIZING MATERIAL This class includes materials which provide oxygen or similar substances and which increase the risk of fire if they come into contact with flammable or combustible materials. Class C materials: pose a fire and/or explosion risk in the presence of flammable or combustible material; may cause fire when they come in contact with combustible materials such as wood; may react violently or cause an explosion when they come in contact with combustible materials such as fuels; may burn skin and eyes upon contact. When handling Class C materials, you should: wear the proper protective equipment, including eye, face, and hand protection and protective clothing; keep the material away from combustible materials; keep the material away from sources of ignition; never smoke when working with or near the material; store the containers in designated areas. Examples: sodium hypochlorite, perchloric acid, inorganic peroxides.
Class D	POISONOUS & INFECTIOUS MATERIAL
Class D Division 1	D1: Poisonous & Infectious Materials - Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects This division includes materials causing immediate and serious toxic effects. These materials can cause the death of a person exposed to small amounts. Class D, Division 1 materials: are potentially fatal poisonous substances; may cause permanent damage if inhaled or swallowed or if they enter the body through skin contact; may burn eyes or skin upon contact. When handling Class D, Division 1 materials, you should: handle the materials with extreme caution; avoid contact with the skin or eyes by wearing the 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 containers in designated areas. Examples: sodium cyanide, hydrogen sulphide.
Class D Division 2	D2: Poisonous & Infectious Materials Causing Other Toxic Effects This division includes materials causing immediate eye and/or skin irritation as well as those which can cause long-term effects in a person repeatedly exposed to small amounts. Class D, Division 2 materials: are poisonous substances that are not immediately dangerous to health; may cause death or permanent damage as a result of repeated exposures 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. When handling Class D, Division 2 materials, you should: avoid contact with the skin or eyes by wearing the 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; store the containers in designated areas. Examples: acetone (irritant), asbestos (carcinogen), toluene diisocyanate (senzitizer).
Class D Division 3	D3: Biohazardous Infectious Materials This division includes materials which contain harmful microorganisms. Class D, Division 3 materials: may cause a serious disease, resulting in illness or death. When handling Class D, Division 3 materials, you 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. Examples: cultures or diagnostic specimens containing salmonella bacteria or the hepatitis B virus.
Class E	CORROSIVE MATERIAL Class E materials are acid or caustic materials which can destroy the skin and/or eat through metals. Class E materials: cause severe eye and skin irritation upon contact; cause severe tissue damage with prolonged contact; may be harmful if inhaled. When handling Class E materials, you should: keep containers tightly closed; avoid contact with the skin or eyes by wearing the 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. Examples: muriatic acid, lye.
Class F	DANGEROUSLY REACTIVE MATERIAL Class F materials can undergo dangerous reaction if subjected to heat, pressure, or shock or if allowed to contact water. Class F materials: are 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; may undergo vigorous polymerization. When handling Class F materials, you should: keep material away from heat; open containers carefully, do not drop them; store the material in a cool, flame-proof designated area. Examples: plastic monomers such as butadiene and some cyanides.