These materials are organisms or the toxins they produce that can cause diseases in people or animals. Included in this class are bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. As these organisms can live in body tissues and fluids, they should be treated as toxic. Urine and feces should be treated as toxic only if they are visibly contaminated with blood.

Acetylene is the only commonly used dissolved gas. Acetylene is chemically very unstable and at atmospheric pressure, acetylene gas can explode. However, acetylene is routinely stored and used safely in cylinders because the acetylene cylinders are packed with an inert, porous filler. The filler is saturated with acetone or other suitable solvent. When acetylene gas is added to the cylinder, the gas dissolves in the acetone to create a stable solution.

For example, vapours from a flammable liquid can mix with air and be exposed to the right amount of heat to ignite and burn. In the workplace, controlling the fuel (e.g., flammable products), keeping quantities low, and eliminating sources of ignition are the main ways that allow flammable products to be handled safely.

Consumer product symbols are framed by one of two shapes, which signify whether it is the contents of the container or the container itself that is dangerous.

Consumer products are chemical products sold to Canadians for general household use that have certain hazards (such as toxic, corrosive, flammable). Consumer products use different symbols than WHMIS.

This pictogram is used by the 'corrosive to metals' hazard class (physical hazard group) to indicate products that can cause corrosion or damage to metal containers and structures upon contact.

Adapted from: Stay Safe - A Safety Education Guide to Household Chemical Products for Children 5 to 9 years of age. Consumer Product Safety (CPS), Health Canada. Available online at:http://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/449934/publication.html

This pictogram is also used by two health hazard classes for products that can cause destructive, irreversible damage to the skin and/or eyes.

* Note that the most hazardous categories (Types A, B) within these classes will use the explosion pictogram alone or with the flammable pictogram

J. J. Keller protects people and the businesses they run. You can trust our expertise across a wide range of subjects relating to labor, transportation, environmental, and worker safety. Our deep knowledge of federal and state agencies is built on a strong foundation of more than 100 editors and consultants and 70+ years of regulatory compliance experience.

Acute toxicity could result from exposure to the product itself, or to a product that, upon contact with water, releases a gaseous substance that is able to cause acute toxicity.

If the product only has this pictogram, the main concern is its toxicity for aquatic life. If the material has other pictograms, it is also hazardous to humans in the workplace (e.g., physical or health hazards).

In addition to chronic toxicity hazards, remember that a product may have additional hazardous properties such as being acutely toxic (e.g., can have immediate toxic effects) or it may have other hazardous properties such as being corrosive or flammable.

WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) helps identify the hazards of products like chemical and infectious agents.

Flammable hazards are products that can ignite easily and burn rapidly. For a fire to occur, three elements must be together at the same time and in the right proportions: fuel, oxygen, and heat (e.g., an ignition source such as a spark). It is very important for fire prevention and when working safely with flammable products to make sure that these three elements are not present together in the right amounts at any time.

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The primary hazard of oxidizing products is fire and explosion. In addition to property damage, if an oxidizer product contaminates the skin or clothing, there is a high risk of very significant personal injury in the event of a fire.

This pictogram indicates that the damage caused by exposure to the corrosive material is very significant and likely irreversible. Lower hazard categories (e.g., skin or eye damage that will heal/be reversible) for the two health classes will use the exclamation mark hazard pictogram or no pictogram in some cases.

Liquefied gases are gases which can become liquids at normal temperatures when they are inside cylinders under pressure. Refrigerated liquefied gases are those gases that are made partially liquid because of its low temperature. Initially the cylinder is almost full of liquid, and gas fills the space above the liquid. As gas is removed from the cylinder, enough liquid evaporates to replace it, keeping the pressure in the cylinder constant. Examples: anhydrous ammonia, chlorine, propane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide

Materials in this class should only be used or handled by individuals who are thoroughly trained and aware of the hazards and how to control them. This level of training is beyond the scope of this course.

With oxidizers, these products readily give off oxygen or other oxidizing substances (such as bromine, chlorine, or fluorine) and this is a significant fire/explosion risk. Oxidizers do not burn by themselves but oxidizers can:

Thousands of products are available which contain gases and mixtures of gases that are stored under pressure in cylinders.

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Note: Consumer Products are partially covered under WHMIS ? an SDS is not required, but employers must still educate employees on the hazards and safe handling procedures for these products.

Biohazardous infectious materials are usually found in a hospital, health care facility, laboratories, veterinary practices and research facilities. Workers in these places do not usually know which tissues or fluids contain dangerous organisms. For this reason, the workers assume that every sample is hazardous and proper protection is used all the time. Examples of biohazardous infectious materials include the AIDS/HIV virus, Hepatitis B and salmonella.

The hazard categories address explosives in terms of unstable explosives; mass explosion hazard; severe projection hazard; fire, blast or projection hazard and may explode in fire.

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Chronic health effects occur from exposure to a product over a period of time, often measured in days, months or years. Long-term health effects such as carcinogenicity (cancer causing) or respiratory sensitization are included under this pictogram. In addition, this pictogram is used for products which can cause targeted health impacts on a specific organ system (such as the kidneys, nerves or liver) that develop after a single exposure or after repeated exposure.

ALWAYS check the product's SDS and label on the containers to ensure that you know what is being used and the full range of potential hazards associated with a product.

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Acute toxicity refers to effects occurring following skin contact or ingestion exposure to a single dose, or multiple doses given within 24 hours, or an inhalation exposure of 4 hours.

The pictogram for oxidizing products is an "o" with flames on top of it. The "o" is for oxygen and the flames show that oxidizers are significant fire hazard if they are not handled properly. There are three types of oxidizing product: oxidizing gases, oxidizing liquids and oxidizing solids.

Note: The exclamation mark may also be used to indicate products that contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer. Recall that classification and labelling of the environmental hazard group is not mandatory in Canada. However, suppliers may indicate these hazards on labels and SDSs if they choose to.

There are many categories within the acute toxicity class. There are categories used to describe the different ways the product can enter the body ( e.g., oral (ingested/eaten), dermal (skin), or inhalation (breathed in).

Corrosive products such as strong acids and strong bases can attack (corrode) metal or our skin/eyes. Common acids include hydrochloric acid, nitric acid and sulfuric acid. Common bases are sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) and ammonia. Check the labels and read the SDS (Section 10: Stability and reactivity) for additional information.

ALWAYS check the product's SDS and the label on the containers to ensure that you know what is being used and the full range of potential hazards associated with a product.

This pictogram is used by a number of hazard classes in the health hazard group. If you see this pictogram on a product, it indicates that regular exposure could result in serious health issues. The health impacts will not be obvious right away. Always read the SDS and compare it with the label for the product. Understand how to use the product safely. Ask questions if you are not sure.

Although the three classes of oxidizer may have different physical states, they share the characteristics of oxidizers and they all pose fire hazards if appropriate handling and storage needs are not followed.

In addition to meeting the criteria for this hazard pictogram, remember that a product may have additional hazardous properties such as being acutely toxic (e.g., can have immediate toxic effects) or it may have other hazardous properties such as being corrosive or flammable.

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Fire and explosion are the main concerns, but other issues may be present. If a product is classified as flammable, the supervisor and workers must understand specifics of what the hazards are and how to use it safely.

Most pictograms have a distinctive red "square set on one of its points" border. Inside this border is a symbol that represents the potential hazard (e.g., fire, health hazard, corrosive, etc.).

Because of the high risk of significant personal injury and extensive property damage for incidents involving these products, proper training and appreciation of the hazards is essential.

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Recall that classification and labelling of this hazard group is not mandatory in Canada. However, suppliers may indicate these hazards on labels and SDSs if they choose to.

The basic components for a fire are a source of fuel (such as combustibles), a source of oxygen, and a spark or source of ignition.

Chronic toxicity is different than acute toxicity. Acute toxicity refers to immediate health effects as a result of exposure to a toxic product. Chronic toxic effects tend to develop over time, often as a result of long-term exposure to a particular product. As an example, smoking a single cigarette is unlikely to cause a lasting toxic effect but smoking many cigarettes over time is linked with numerous adverse health effects. Chronic toxicity can also refer to a persistent adverse health effect that occurred as a result of a short-term exposure to a toxic product. For some chronic toxicity hazards, there is no known safe amount to which a person can be exposed.

J. J. Keller protects people and the businesses they run. You can trust our expertise across a wide range of subjects relating to labor, transportation, environmental, and worker safety. Our deep knowledge of federal and state agencies is built on a strong foundation of more than 100 editors and consultants and 70+ years of regulatory compliance experience.

WHMIS groups products with similar properties or hazards into classes. The Hazardous Products Regulations specifies the criteria used to place products within each classification. WHMIS classifications are made by the manufacturer or supplier for products to be used in Canada.

Toxicity of a chemical does not change, but the risk of exposure from using it can be controlled and minimized through proper handling and storage practices.

Together, the symbol and the border are referred to as a pictogram. Pictograms are assigned to specific hazard classes or categories.

This pictogram is also used to indicate two health hazard classes for products that can cause destructive, irreversible damage to the skin and eyes. The two hazard classes are:

For example: A highly toxic chemical can have a low health hazard if it is used with proper precautions and care. On the other hand, it is possible that a chemical of low toxicity may present a high health hazard if it is used inappropriately. These differences make proper handling and control measures very important.

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Non-liquefied gases are also known as compressed, pressurized or permanent gases. These gases do not become liquid when they are compressed at normal temperatures, even at very high pressures. Examples are oxygen, and nitrogen.

The health impacts covered by this pictogram may not be obvious to the worker right away, but the effects are generally reversible and of relatively short duration with proper medical treatment (and when further exposure is prevented). Always read the SDS and compare it with the label for the product. Understand how to use the product safely. Ask questions if you are unsure.

Ten pictograms are used by WHMIS 2015. Pictograms are graphic images that immediately show the user of a hazardous product what type of hazard is present. With a quick glance, you can see, for example, that the product is flammable, or if it might be a health hazard.

Products with this pictogram should only be used by individuals who are thoroughly trained and aware of the hazards and how to control them. This level of training is beyond the scope of this Kit.

Aquatic hazards may include "acute hazards to the aquatic environment" which evaluates short-term toxic impacts on various aquatic life forms (such as fish, crustaceans, algae and aquatic plants). It also includes "long-term hazards to the aquatic environment" which evaluates long-term (chronic) negative impacts on aquatic life forms such as bioaccumulation (buildup of material in organism) and degradation (persistence, or how long it will remain in the environment). Examples of long-term impacts for the aquatic environment could include reduced spawning, genetic problems in offspring and behavioural changes.