Safety Symbols and Labels

Types of Symbols WHMIS HHPS Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System HHPS Household Product Symbols

WHMIS New regulations were introduced in 2015 – and uses different symbols and categories to classify products we use in workplaces Categories Physical Hazards Based on the physical or chemical properties of the product (e.g. Examples are flammable liquids, solids and gases; oxidizing liquids, solids and gasses; and explosive substances) Health Hazards Based on the ability of the product to cause a health effect such as eye irritation, respiratory issues (e.g. allergic reaction, asthma) or carcinogenicity (may cause cancer).

Physical Hazards Broken down into 19 CLASSES (in orange) flammable gases flammable aerosols flammable liquids flammable solid oxidizing gases oxidizing liquids oxidizing solids compressed gases liquefied gases dissolved gases refrigerated liquefied gases have the ability to catch fire easily and the main hazards are fire or explosion may cause or intensify a fire or cause an explosion are hazardous because of the high pressure inside the cylinder or container and may explode if heated refrigerated liquefied gases are very cold and can cause severe cold burns or injury.

self-reactive substances and mixtures pyrophoric liquids pyrophoric solids pyrophoric gases substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases organic peroxides (may cause a fire or explosion if heated) corrosive to metals (may chemically damage or destroy metals) combustible dust (finely divided solid particles If dispersed in air may catch fire or explode if ignited) simple asphyxiants (gases that can cause rapid suffocation) physical hazards not otherwise classified (any other physical hazard not already covered) may react on their own or when heated cause a fire or explosion these products can catch fire very quickly if exposed to air

Health Hazards Broken down into 12 Classes (in blue) acute toxicity (fatal, toxic or harmful if inhaled, following skin contact, or if swallowed) skin corrosion/irritation (products that cause severe skin burns and irritation) serious eye damage/eye irritation (products that cause serious eye damage and eye irritation) respiratory or skin sensitization (products that cause a respiratory or skin allergic reaction or sensitivity) germ cell mutagenicity (products that may cause or are suspected of causing genetic defects that can be passed on to future generations) carcinogenicity (products that may cause or are suspected of causing cancer)

reproductive toxicity (products that may damage or are suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child) specific target organ toxicity - single exposure (products that cause or may cause damage to organs (e.g., liver, kidneys, or blood) following a single exposure) specific target organ toxicity – repeated exposure (products that cause or may cause damage to organs (e.g., liver, kidneys, or blood) following a long or repeated exposure) aspiration hazard (products that may be fatal if they are swallowed or inhaled) biohazardous infectious materials (microorganisms, nucleic acids or proteins that cause or is a probable cause of infection) health hazards not otherwise classified (any other health hazard not already covered)

WHMIS Symbols Biohazardous Infectious Materials Flammable Corrosive Oxidizer Health Hazard Harmful/Irritant Explosive Toxic Compressed Gas

HHPS Used to label products that are found around our homes (household cleaners for example) The whole symbol is a combination of a border and a symbol The more corners the symbol has, the greater the risk of the product Examples: border symbol

Labels WHMIS Labels Contain specific information Product Identifier Hazard Pictogram Signal Words Hazard Statements Precautionary Statements Supplier Identifier SDS – provide additional information that the WHMIS label on the container does not contain Safety Data Sheets

WHMIS Label Product Identifier Hazard Pictogram Signal Word – alerts you about the degree/level of hazard Hazard Statements – describes the most significant hazards of the product Precautionary statements – gives advice on how to minimize or prevent effects because of exposure Supplier Identifier – gives the full name and phone number of the company which made or packaged the product

SDS contains 16 different sections with information that includes: Identification Hazard Type Identification Composition/ Information on Ingredients First-aid Measures Fire-fighting Measures Handling, Storage, Use Physical and Chemical Properties Containment and Exposure Disposal