Name:_ANSWERS
Worksheet: Safety Symbols
Safety symbols are used to identify dangers associated with products. There are two types of safety symbols,
Hazardous Household Product Symbols (HHPS) and Workplace Hazardous Material Information System
(WHMIS) symbols.
1. Why do you think symbols are used (instead of words) to indicate the dangers associated with a product?
It has no language barrier, easy to see and understand quickly.
Hazardous Hausehold Product Symbols (HHPS) are warning symbols found on household products
2. Complete the following table, using page 522 in your textbook to find the name of the symbol, and then think
of one precaution you could take to keep yourself safe when using a product classified using the symbol.
Symbol
Name
Risks
Precautions
Explosive
This container can explode if it’s heated or
Proper storage of these is
punctured. Flying pieces of metal or plastic can important
cause serious injuries, especially to the eyes.
Do not drop these items
Example: spray paint in an aerosol container
Corrosive
This product will burn skin or eyes on contact,
Do not allow contact with
or throat and stomach if swallowed.
skin or clothing
Avoid breathing this product
Example: toilet bowl cleaner, oven cleaner
in
If you do come into contact
with these products. RINSE
with lots of water
immediately
Flammable
This product, or its fumes, will catch fire easily Keep away from heat. Know
if it’s near heat, flames or sparks.
how to use a fire
extinguisher properly
Example: gasoline
Poisonous
Licking, eating, drinking or sometimes smelling,
this product will cause illness or death.
Example: windshield washer fluid, antifreeze
Do not ingest these products
If you do call poison control
or 911 immediately
These symbols are made up of a picture and a frame. The picture tells you the type of danger. The frame tells
you if it is the chemical inside the container that is hazardous or if it is the container that is hazardous.
Shape
Meaning
Triangle (inverted)
The container itself is dangerous
Octagon
The contents inside the container are dangerous
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) symbols were developed to standardize the
labeling of dangerous materials used in all workplaces, including schools.
3. Complete the following table, using page 522 in your textbook to find the name of the symbol, and then think
of one precaution you could take to keep yourself safe when using a product classified using the symbol.
Symbol
Name
Compressed gas
Flammable and
combustible
materials
Risks
Precautions
Contents under high pressure.
Could explode if heated or dropped
Keep away from heat
Catches fire easily
May ignite without warning
Keep away from heat.
Store it safely (not on a high
shelf where it could fall)
Don’t smoke near these
product
Store in a cool, fire proof
area
Oxidizing materials
May cause combustible material to explode
Increases fire hazards
Keep away from combustible
materials
No smoking
Wear protective equipment,
including eye, face and hand
protection
Materials causing
immediate and
serious toxic
effects
These materials can cause death or immediate
injury if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed
through skin.
Wear respiratory equipment
Materials causing
other serious toxic
effects
These materials can cause life-threatening
and serious long-term health problems in a
person who is repeatedly exposed to small
amounts
Wear protective equipment
Biohazardous
infectious materials
Contains living organisms that can cause harm
(viruses, bacteria, parasites, etc.)
Avoid handling or handle
using proper protective
equipment.
Corrosive material
Causes eye and skin irritation on contact,
severe burns after long periods of contact.
Proper protective equipment
needed
Dangerously
reactive material
May react violently with water.
May explode if exposed or heat or shock.
Avoid contact with water,
store in dry area
Wash and shower after using
Work in well-ventilated areas
Work in well-ventilated areas
4. Products with which WHMIS symbols should be stored separately? Why?
Compressed gas, flammable and combustible materials, oxidizing materials and dangerously reactive.
Because if one explodes it could cause a chain reaction including fire, flying objects, etc.
5. We store tanks of oxygen gas and hydrogen gas in the storage room at W-O. These gasses are under high
pressure. Which WHMIS symbol would you expect to see on these tanks?
Compressed GAS!
6. If acid splashed and lands on your skin, you skin will get irritated, and it may burn. Which WHMIS symbol
would you expect to see on bottles of acid?
Corrosive materials