Purpose of WHMISPurpose of WHMIS

SystemSystem of symbols, labels, and of symbols, labels, and materials safety data sheets materials safety data sheets (MSDS)(MSDS)

Identify all hazardous products Identify all hazardous products (in the workplace)(in the workplace)

Prevent worker injuriesPrevent worker injuries

ClassificationClassification

1.1. Compressed Compressed GasGas

2.2. FlammableFlammable

3.3. OxidizingOxidizing

4.4. PoisonousPoisonous

5.5. ToxicToxic

6.6. Biological Biological HazardHazard

7.7. CorrosiveCorrosive

8.8. ReactiveReactive

Compressed GasCompressed Gas

Gas under pressureGas under pressure

Hazard: Hazard: Could explode if heatedCould explode if heated

Examples: sExamples: spray cans, oxygen, pray cans, oxygen, propane, acetylene propane, acetylene

Flammable / Flammable / CombustibleCombustible

Can catch fire easilyCan catch fire easily

Hazard: Hazard: Can cause a fireCan cause a fire

Examples: Examples: Gasoline, heating Gasoline, heating fuel, propane, alcohol products fuel, propane, alcohol products

Oxidizing materialsOxidizing materials

Gives off oxygen; could help in Gives off oxygen; could help in burning other materialsburning other materials

Hazard: Hazard: Can cause firesCan cause fires

Examples: Examples: Oxygen, Ozone, Oxygen, Ozone, Bleach, PeroxideBleach, Peroxide

Poisonous & InfectiousPoisonous & Infectious

Poisonous; Poisonous; immediateimmediate toxic effects toxic effects

Hazard: Hazard: serious toxic effects / deathserious toxic effects / death

Examples: Examples: Cyanide, Hydrogen Cyanide, Hydrogen sulfide, Chlorine, Carbon Monoxidesulfide, Chlorine, Carbon Monoxide

Poisonous & InfectiousPoisonous & Infectious

Causes various toxic effectsCauses various toxic effects

Hazard: Hazard: eye/skin/lung irritations, eye/skin/lung irritations, cancercancer

Examples: Examples: arsenic, mercury,arsenic, mercury, benzene, asbestos, siliconbenzene, asbestos, silicon

Biological Hazardous Biological Hazardous MaterialsMaterials

Infectious materials (bacteria, Infectious materials (bacteria, virus, biological waste)virus, biological waste)

Hazard: Hazard: diseasedisease

Examples:Examples: E-coli, fungi, E-coli, fungi, hepatitis B, various viruseshepatitis B, various viruses

Corrosive MaterialCorrosive Material

Causes burns to skin, eyes, Causes burns to skin, eyes, lungs, clothes, and metalslungs, clothes, and metals

Hazard: Hazard: chemical burnschemical burns

Examples:Examples: bleach, sulfuric acid, bleach, sulfuric acid, chlorine gaschlorine gas

Reactive MaterialsReactive Materials

Can react (burn, explode) vigorously Can react (burn, explode) vigorously (if shaken or mixed with other (if shaken or mixed with other chemicals/water) chemicals/water)

Hazard: Hazard: sudden & quick reaction sudden & quick reaction (fire, explosion)(fire, explosion)

Examples:Examples: Nitroglycerine, Aluminum Nitroglycerine, Aluminum chloride, Calcium carbidechloride, Calcium carbide

Household Hazardous Household Hazardous Product Symbols (HHPS)Product Symbols (HHPS)