Self Directed Lesson on:
WHMIS

WHMIS stands for Workplace Hazardous
Materials Information System
 WHMIS is a Canadian created system that
came into effect on October 31, 1988
 The point of WHMIS is to help employers and
workers understand the dangerous properties
of chemicals and workplace materials
Components of WHMIS

Components of
WHMIS include
labeling stickers,
Material Safety Data
Sheets that explain
the stickers and
worker training
The 8 Classes of WHMIS

In WHMIS, there are 8 key classes of
Hazardous Materials
 These classes are labeled A, B, C, D1, D2,
D3, E and F
 Each class of WHMIS deals with a different
type of Hazardous Material and each symbol
represents the danger that could occur if the
material is mishandled
Class A
Class A : Compressed Gas

Compressed gases are dangerous because
they have the potential to explode or leak
 Many compressed gases are also
combustible and would carry that WHMIS
symbol as well
 Common examples of compressed gas
include: propane, welding gases, oxygen,
helium and aerosols
Class B
Class B: Flammable and
Combustible Material

Flammable material is material that will easily
burn or catch fire at normal temperatures
 Combustible material is material that will
catch on fire at above normal temperatures
 Common examples of flammable and
combustible materials include: propane,
kerosene, spray paint, varnish, turpentine,
acetylene, diesel, gasoline and WD40
Class C
Class C: Oxidizing Materials

An oxidizing material will help another
substance burn but does not usually burn
itself
 Oxidizers can provide oxygen for the fuel or
can cause a material that does not usually
burn to catch fire
 Common examples of oxidizing materials
include: oxygen, nitric acid, bleach and
chlorine
Class D – D1, D2 and D3
Class D1
Class D2
Class D3
Class D1: Materials Causing
Immediate and Serious Toxic
Effects

These are materials that are poisonous or
cause serious effects such as coma or burns
within minutes of exposure
 Materials in this class may also cause serious
long term health effects as well
 Common materials causing immediate and
serious toxic effects are: carbon monoxide,
cyanide, arsenic, and even Tide and Mr.
Clean
Class D2: Materials Causing
Other Toxic Effects

These are materials that cause effects such
as allergies, cancer, reproductive problems
and chronic illnesses
 These materials can cause mutations,
irritations and carcinogens
 Common materials causing other toxic effects
are: asbestos, lead, mercury and nicotine
Class D3: Biohazard and
Infectious Materials

Biohazardous materials include viruses,
fungi, parasites and bacteria and are usually
toxic organisms
 These materials are usually found in labs,
hospitals or veterinary clinics
 Common examples of biohazardous
materials include: HIV/AIDS virus, salmonella,
hepatitis, anthrax and ebola
Class E
Class E: Corrosive Materials

Corrosive materials are materials that can
cause severe and immediate burns
 Many corrosives can not only damage human
skin, but material (clothing), containers
(plastics etc.) and even metal
 Common corrosives include: acids (Ex.
hydrochloric and battery acid), chlorine and
ammonia
Class F
Class F: Dangerously
Reactive Materials

Dangerously reactive materials have 3
different requirements:
1. They react with water to make a toxic gas
2. It will react itself if bumped, dropped or upon a
temperature increase
3. It can create a polymer, decompose or condense
easily

These materials are very chemically unstable
 Common dangerously reactive materials are:
ozone and nitroglycerine
Why do I care about WHMIS?



The point of WHMIS is to help keep you
safe while you are on the job
The WHMIS symbols work with the Material
Safety Data Sheets to tell you all the
dangerous properties of the materials you
are about to handle
Worker training ensures that employees
know what safety measures to take when
handling material
Remember, even the most harmless
looking products can be hazards – so
it is important to pay attention to
WHMIS symbols at all times!
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References

Pictures from
http://www2.worksafebc.com/Topics/WHMIS
 Information adapted from http://www.ccohs.ca
(Canadian Centre for Occupational Health
and Safety) and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workplace_Hazar
dous_Materials_Information_System
(Wikipedia)