The idea
WHMIS — the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System — is the Canada-wide system for telling you what a chemical can do to you, using symbols you can read at a glance.
| Pictogram | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Flame | Flammable | Ethanol |
| Exclamation mark | Irritant, harmful | Dilute acids |
| Corrosion | Burns skin, eats metal | Concentrated |
| Skull and crossbones | Acutely toxic | Methanol |
| Health hazard | Long-term harm | Some solvents |
| Gas cylinder | Gas under pressure | Compressed |
Non-negotiable rules in this room
- Goggles on before anything is opened, off after everything is put away.
- Never taste. Never smell directly — waft.
- Long hair tied back, sleeves clear, bags off the floor.
- Tell me about every spill, cut, and burn. Every one, immediately.
- Know where the eyewash, shower, extinguisher, and exits are now, not when you need them.
Reading a label
Every container names the product, shows its pictograms, and gives a signal word — Danger (more severe) or Warning. The Safety Data Sheet has the full detail, including first aid and disposal.
Before every investigation
What could go wrong here, and what would I do about it? Write the answer in the safety section of Your Lab Notebook before you touch anything. That note is what the safety expectation means by applying safe practice while planning, and it is the part of Lab Reports that is marked without ever appearing in the report.
Curriculum connection
A1.5
apply their knowledge and understanding of safe practices and procedures, including the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), while planning and carrying out hands-on investigations
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