WHMIS Symbols 2024 with meanings (Pictograms)

Last Updated on June 13, 2024

WHMIS Symbols 2024 with meanings [New Updated] Symbols (pictograms) are used in WHMIS to visually represent the type of hazard a hazardous substance presents. This will also help for WHMIS Test 2024.

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WHMIS Pictograms/ Symbols

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) was introduced in Canada in 1988 so that workers could receive information about the hazardous products they may use.

The WHMIS Pictograms/ Symbols are graphic images that immediately show you what type of hazard a hazardous product presents. With a quick glance, you can see, for example, that the product is flammable, or if it might be a health hazard.

Most pictograms have a distinctive red, diamond-shaped border. Inside this border is a symbol representing the potential hazard (fire, health hazard, corrosive, etc.). Together, the symbol and the border are referred to as a pictogram. Pictograms are assigned to specific hazard classes or categories.

WHMIS Symbols are used in WHMIS to visually represent the type of hazard a hazardous substance presents. You will see both pictograms and class symbols in the workplace and it’s important to understand both.

WHMIS Symbols 2024 Symbols with meaning (New)

WHMIS 2015 retains the use of class symbols:

Symbols	Description
	Name: Flame Meaning: Oxidizer Classes and Categories Flammable gases (Category 1) Flammable aerosols (Category 1 and 2) Flammable liquids (Category 1, 2 and 3) Flammable solids (Category 1 and 2) Pyrophoric liquids (Category 1) Pyrophoric solids (Category 1) Pyrophoric gases (Category 1) Self-heating substances and mixtures (Category 1 and 2) Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases (Category 1, 2 and 3) Self-reactive substances and mixtures (Types B, C, D, E and F) Organic peroxides (Types B, C, D, E and F)
	Name: Flame Over Circle Meaning: Flammable, Self-Reactive, Pyrophoric, Self-heating, In Contact With Water, Emits Flammable Gases, Organic Peroxide Classes and Categories Oxidizing gases (Category 1) Oxidizing liquids (Category 1, 2 and 3) Oxidizing solids (Category 1, 2 and 3)
	Name: Exploding Bomb Meaning: Explosive*, Self-Reactive (severe), Organic Peroxide (severe)* Classes and Categories Self-reactive substances and mixtures (Types A and B) Organic peroxides (Types A and B)
	Name: Gas Cylinder Meaning: Gas Under Pressure Classes and Categories Gases under pressure (Compressed gas, Liquefied gas, Refrigerated liquefied gas, and Dissolved gas)
	Name: Skull and Crossbones Meaning: Acute Toxicity (fatal or toxic) Classes and Categories Oral (Category 1, 2 and 3) Dermal (Category 1, 2 and 3) Inhalation (Category 1, 2 and 3)
	Name: Corrosion Meaning: Serious Eye Damage, Skin Corrosion, Corrosive to Metals Classes and Categories Corrosive to metals (Category 1) Skin corrosion/irritation – Skin corrosion (Category 1, 1A, 1B and 1C) Serious eye damage/eye irritation – Serious eye damage ( Category 1)
	Name: Exclamation Mark Meaning: Irritation (skin or eyes), Skin Sensitization, Acute Toxicity (harmful), Specific Target Organ Toxicity (drowsiness or dizziness, or respiratory irritation), Hazardous to the Ozone Layer Classes and Categories** Acute toxicity – Oral, Dermal, Inhalation (Category 4) Skin corrosion/irritation – Skin irritation (Category 2) Serious eye damage/eye irritation – Eye irritation (Category 2 and 2A) Respiratory or skin sensitization – Skin sensitizer (Category 1, 1A and 1B) Specific target organ toxicity – Single exposure (Category 3)
	Name: Health Hazard Meaning: Carcinogenicity, Respiratory Sensitization, Reproductive Toxicity, Target Organ Toxicity, Germ Cell Mutagenicity, Aspiration Hazard Classes and Categories Respiratory or skin sensitization – Respiratory sensitizer (Category 1, 1A and 1B) Germ cell mutagenicity (Category 1, 1A, 1B and 2) Carcinogenicity (Category 1, 1A, 1B, and 2) Reproductive toxicity (Category 1, 1A, 1B and 2) Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Single exposure (Category 1 and 2) Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Repeated exposure (Category 1 and 2) Aspiration hazard (Category 1)
	Name: Environment Meaning: Aquatic Toxicity** May cause damage to the aquatic environment
	Name: Biohazardous Meaning: Biohazardous Infectious Materials Classes and Categories Biohazardous Infectious Materials (Category 1)

* Both the Flame and Explosive pictogram are used for Self-reactive substances and mixtures (Type B) and Organic peroxides (Type B)

** Not required by WHMIS 2015, but may be used.

WHMIS 1988 (Old) Symbols with meaning

WHMIS 1988 retains the use of class symbols: The following table shows the pictograms. The name of each pictogram is in bold type. The words in the brackets describe the hazard.

Symbols	Hazard class	Meaning
	CLASS A	Compressed Gas
	CLASS B	Flammable and Combustible Material
	CLASS C	Oxidizing Material
	CLASS D1	Poisonous and Infectious Material (causing immediate and serious effects)
	CLASS D2	Poisonous and Infectious Material (causing other toxic effects)
	CLASS D3	Poisonous and Infectious Material (Biohazardous Infectious Material)
	CLASS E	Corrosive Material
	CLASS F	Dangerously Reactive Material