When it comes to working, we must always take safety precautions. We have the right to speak, the right to be outfitted, the right know and the right to refuse. In addition, it's always good to know about the WHMIS symbols (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System). WMHIS teaches us different safety symbols that we may find on containers and in places in our daily life. WHMIS consists of 8 symbols. It is important for us to be able to read symbols on products and know how they can harm us. Here is a description of the symbols:
- Compressed gas: Compressed gas is typically stored in cylinders. This kind of gas is stored at room temperature. There are three types of compressed gas: liquefied gases, non-liquefied gases and dissolved gases. Most compressed gases are toxic, though some can be extremely toxic for the body. Acetylene is an example of compressed gas. For more information on compressed gas, visit the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.
- Flammable and combustible material: Products with this symbol will burn if near flames.
- Oxidizing material: These materials release oxidizing materials or oxygen. This can cause a fire to continue to grow because oxygen feeds fire.
- Poisonous and infectious material causing immediate and serious toxic effects: Any product with this symbol is toxic and can seriously harm the body or even kill immediately.
- Poisonous material causing other toxic effects: Toxic material that may not cause any harm immediately, though effects may appear down the road.
- Biohazardous infectious material: This can cause sicknesses and diseases in humans and animals because of the toxins.
- Dangerously reactive material: These products react "vigorously" with water.
- Corrosive material: Products with this symbol will cause the skin to burn and will harm your organs if ingested. It is important to never smell directly, eat or touch any dangerous materials!
- Compressed gas: Compressed gas is typically stored in cylinders. This kind of gas is stored at room temperature. There are three types of compressed gas: liquefied gases, non-liquefied gases and dissolved gases. Most compressed gases are toxic, though some can be extremely toxic for the body. Acetylene is an example of compressed gas. For more information on compressed gas, visit the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.
- Flammable and combustible material: Products with this symbol will burn if near flames.
- Oxidizing material: These materials release oxidizing materials or oxygen. This can cause a fire to continue to grow because oxygen feeds fire.
- Poisonous and infectious material causing immediate and serious toxic effects: Any product with this symbol is toxic and can seriously harm the body or even kill immediately.
- Poisonous material causing other toxic effects: Toxic material that may not cause any harm immediately, though effects may appear down the road.
- Biohazardous infectious material: This can cause sicknesses and diseases in humans and animals because of the toxins.
- Dangerously reactive material: These products react "vigorously" with water.
- Corrosive material: Products with this symbol will cause the skin to burn and will harm your organs if ingested. It is important to never smell directly, eat or touch any dangerous materials!