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Pictograms are graphic images (pictures) that immediately show what type of hazard is present. They are "hazard symbols." With a quick glance you can see, for example, that a product is flammable or if it might pose a health hazard.
Most pictograms have a distinctive red border. Inside the border is the symbol representing the potential hazard. Together, the symbol and the border are referred to as the pictogram.
The posters below depict the WHMIS 2015 pictograms. It is important to be able to identify these symbols to stay safe when working with hazardous products.
Cylinder
Gas under pressure
These include compressed gases, liquefied gases, dissolved gases, and refrigerated liquefied gases.
Compressed gases, liquefied gases, and dissolved gases are hazardous because of the high pressure inside the cylinder or container. The cylinder or container may explode if heated.
Refrigerated liquefied gases are very cold and can cause severe cold (cryogenic) burns or injury.
Flame
Flammable
Self-reactive
Self-reactive means it is very likely to release heat or light (exothermic decomposition) even without using oxygen.
Pyrophoric
means the hazard can spontaneously catch fire (ignite)
Self-heating
self-heating is a process where the gradual reaction of a substance with oxygen (in air) generates heat. If the heat produced exceeds the rate of heat loss, then the substance or mixture may catch fire.
When in contact with water, emits flammable gases.
Organic peroxide
An organic peroxide is any organic (carbon-containing) compound that has two oxygen atoms joined together (-0-0-). This chemical group is called the "peroxy" group. Organic peroxides can be severe fire and explosion hazards.
Exclamation Mark
Irritation (skin or eyes)
Skin sensitization
A product that may cause a skin reaction.
Acute toxicity (harmful)
These products are fatal, toxic or harmful if breathed in, if they come in contact with skin, or if swallowed.
Acute toxicity refers to adverse effects which occur following administration via mouth, skin or breathing. To qualify as an acute toxin, the effects must come after a single dose of a substance, or multiple doses in a 24-hour period, or an inhalation period of four hours.
Specific target organ toxicity
A single exposure causes drowsiness or dizziness, or respiratory irritation.
Products that may cause damage to organs (liver, kidneys or blood) following prolonged or repeated exposure.
Hazardous to the ozone layer
Skull and Crossbones
Acute toxicity (fatal or toxic)
These products are fatal, toxic or harmful if breathed-in, if they come in contact with skin, or if swallowed.
Flame Over Circle
Oxidizer
These may cause or intensify a fire or cause a fire or explosion.
Exploding Bomb
explosive
self-reactive (severe)
organic peroxide (severe)
Corrosion
Corrosive (skin, eyes, or metals)
Products that may chemically damage or destroy skin or eat through metals.
Biohazardous Infectious Materials
Biohazardous infectious materials
These materials include microorganisms that cause or may cause infection, with or without toxicity, in humans and animals.
Health Hazard
Carcinogenicity
Products that may cause or are suspected of causing cancer.
Respiratory sensitization
A respiratory sensitizer is a product that may cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled.
Reproductive toxicity
Products that may damage or are suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child
Specific target organ toxicity - single or repeated doses
Germ cell mutagenicity
This includes products that may cause or are suspected of causing genetic defects (permanent changes - mutations - to body cells that can be passed on to future generations).
Aspiration hazard
This hazard class covers products that may be fatal if they are swallowed and enter the airway.
Environment
Hazardous to the aquatic environment (acute or long-term)*
*NOTES:This group was not adopted in WHMIS 2015. However, you may see the environmental classes listed on labels and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) but it is not required.
Including information about environmental hazards is allowed by WHMIS 2015.
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