There are 10 pictograms to know when dealing with WHMIS 2015

Most WHMIS hazards classes and categories are assigned a symbol, called a pictogram, that reflects the type or severity of the hazard. These pictograms are images that should help you immediately identify the type of hazard that is present. Each pictogram represents specific classes and categories of hazardous products.

WHMIS pictograms are framed by a red square set on a point. The exception is the biohazard pictogram, which has a round black border.

Image 1 Description

Flame Over Circle

Oxidizing materials that cause fire to increase in intensity.

Image 2 Description

Skull and Crossbones

These products can cause death or toxicity even with a short exposure to small amounts.

Image 3 Description

Flame

The flame pictogram is used to describe and show flammable gases, liquids, and solids. As well as some self reacting substances and organic peroxides.

Image 4 Description

Environmental

Long term aquatic environmental hazards and damage are caused by items with this pictogram displayed on it.

Image 5 Description

Exploding Bomb

Self reacting substances that are prone to exploding, and some types of organic peroxides are covered under the exploding bomb pictogram.

Image 6 Description

Health Hazard

Health hazards are classified by respiratory or skin sensitivity, carcinogenicity, aspiration hazards, and germ cell mutagenicity.

Image 7 Description

Exclamation Mark

This pictogram is displayed on products that may cause damage to the ozone layer, and products that cause less serious health effects that products in other categories or classes.

Image 8 Description

Gas Cylinder

Chemicals or products that are stored under great pressure in gas cylinders must display this pictogram.

Image 9 Description

Corrosive Material

The corrosion pictogram is used for products that can cause corrosive damage to metals, skin, or eyes.

Image 10 Description

Biohazard

Products consisting of organisms and toxins that can cause disease in people or animals are required to have a biohazard symbol on their packaging or containers.

There are some classes and categories that may require more than one pictogram or specific combinations of two or more. These can be products that cause more and less severe health hazards, or chemicals stored in gas cylinders that can also cause a fire to increase in intensity.

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