// WHMIS/GHS/SDS

WHMIS - Pictograms

Important Information Canada has aligned the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).

Important Information

Canada has aligned the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). This document discusses the WHMIS supplier requirements as regulated by federal legislation – the Hazardous Products Act (HPA) and the Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR). This document reflects the Hazardous Products Regulations requirements as of December 15, 2022. Health Canada is the government body responsible for the overall WHMIS supplier-related laws. Note that WHMIS is also regulated in the workplace by the provinces, territories and federal governments (for federally regulated workplaces) under their occupational health and safety legislation. While these jurisdictions based their WHMIS regulations on the common model, small variations between jurisdictions may exist. Suppliers and employers must use and follow the WHMIS requirements for labels and safety data sheets (SDSs) for hazardous products sold, distributed, or imported into Canada. Please refer to the following OSH Answers documents for more information about WHMIS:

context WHMIS – General
context WHMIS – Labels
context WHMIS – Hazard Classes and Categories
context WHMIS – Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
context WHMIS – Education and Training
context WHMIS – WHMIS Program
context WHMIS – Glossary
context WHMIS – Confidential Business Information (CBI)
context WHMIS – Variances
context WHMIS – Laboratories
context WHMIS - Legislation
context WHMIS - Information for Suppliers and Importers

What is a pictogram?

context Pictograms are graphic images that immediately show the user of a hazardous product what type of hazard is present. With a quick glance, you can see, for example, that the product is flammable or that it might be a health hazard.
context Most pictograms have a distinctive red "square set on one of its points" border. Inside this border is a symbol that represents the potential hazard (e.g., 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.
context The graphic below shows hazard pictograms. The bold type is the name given to the pictogram; the words in the brackets describe the hazard.

What pictograms are used with WHMIS hazard classes and categories?

The following pictograms are associated with these hazard classes and categories. The flame pictogram is used for the following classes and categories: The flame over circle pictogram is used for the following classes and categories: The gas cylinder pictogram is used for the following classes and categories: The corrosion pictogram is used for the following classes and categories: The exploding bomb pictogram is used for the following classes and categories: The skull and crossbones pictogram is used for the following classes and categories: The health hazard pictogram is used for the following classes and categories: The exclamation mark pictogram is used for the following classes and categories: The biohazardous infectious materials pictogram is used for the following classes and categories: * Both the Flame and Explosive pictograms are used for Self-reactive substances and mixtures (Type B) and Organic peroxides (Type B). ** Both the Flame and Cylinder pictograms are used for Chemicals under pressure, categories 1 and 2. NOTE: Physical Hazards Not Otherwise Classified and Health Hazards Not Otherwise Classified classes are required to have a GHS pictogram that is appropriate to the hazard identified.

chemical Flammable gases (Category 1A and 1B Flammable gas; Category 1A Chemically unstable gas (A and B); Category 1A Pyrophoric gas) )
general Aerosols (Category 1 and 2)
safety Flammable liquids (Category 1, 2 and 3)
safety Flammable solids (Category 1 and 2)
general Pyrophoric liquids (Category 1)
general Pyrophoric solids (Category 1)
general Self-heating substances and mixtures (Category 1 and 2)
chemical Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases (Category 1, 2 and 3)
general Self-reactive substances and mixtures (Types B*, C, D, E and F)
general Organic peroxides (Types B*, C, D, E and F)
chemical Chemicals under pressure (Category 1** and 2**)
chemical Oxidizing gases (Category 1)
general Oxidizing liquids (Category 1, 2 and 3)
general Oxidizing solids (Category 1, 2 and 3)
chemical Gases under pressure (Compressed gas, Liquefied gas, Refrigerated liquefied gas, and Dissolved gas)
chemical Chemicals under pressure (Category 1**, 2** and 3)
general Corrosive to metals (Category 1)
general Skin corrosion/irritation – Skin corrosion (Category 1, 1A, 1B and 1C)
general Serious eye damage/eye irritation – Serious eye damage (Category 1)
general Self-reactive substances and mixtures (Types A and B*)
general Organic peroxides (Types A and B*)
general Oral (Category 1, 2 and 3)
general Dermal (Category 1, 2 and 3)
general Inhalation (Category 1, 2 and 3)
chemical Acute toxicity –
general Respiratory or skin sensitization – Respiratory sensitizer (Category 1, 1A and 1B)
general Germ cell mutagenicity (Category 1, 1A, 1B and 2)
general Carcinogenicity (Category 1, 1A, 1B, and 2)
chemical Reproductive toxicity (Category 1, 1A, 1B and 2)
chemical Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Single exposure (Category 1 and 2)
chemical Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Repeated exposure (Category 1 and 2)
general Aspiration hazard (Category 1)
chemical Acute toxicity – Oral, Dermal, Inhalation (Category 4)
general Skin corrosion/irritation – Skin irritation (Category 2)
general Serious eye damage/eye irritation – Eye irritation (Category 2 and 2A)
general Respiratory or skin sensitization – Skin sensitizer (Category 1, 1A and 1B)
chemical Specific target organ toxicity – Single exposure (Category 3)
biological Biohazardous Infectious Materials (Category 1)

Do all hazard classes and categories require a pictogram?

No. There are hazardous products that meet the criteria for a hazard class or category, but these classes and categories do not require a pictogram. The product label and Section 2 (Hazards Identification) of the SDS still require the signal word, hazard statement(s), and other required label elements. WHMIS classes and categories that do not require a pictogram are:

general Aerosols - Category 3
chemical Flammable gases – Category 2
safety Flammable liquids – Category 4
general Self-reactive substances and mixtures – Type G
general Organic peroxides – Type G
chemical Combustible dusts – Category 1
general Simple Asphyxiants – Category 1
general Serious eye damage/eye irritation – Eye Irritation – Category 2B
chemical Reproductive toxicity – Effects on or via lactation

Where will I find the pictograms?

Pictograms will be on the product supplier labels of the hazardous products you work with. They will also be on the SDSs (as the symbol or words that describe the symbol). Please see the following for more information: You may also be interested in our WHMIS Pictograms poster and our WHMIS Pictograms Kit.

context WHMIS - Labels
context WHMIS - Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)