Safety Symbols

1. Safety Symbols
Nelson Science Page 601

2. HHPS (Hazardous Household Products Symbols)
This is a set of symbols that warn consumers
(people who buy products) what dangers the
product may contain. These symbols are
mandatory for all chemical products They
MUST be drawn on the labels of all chemical
products. These symbols are classified as
follows:

3. Symbol Meaning Description
Poisonous A substance that can
cause immediate damage to
any living organism.
Flammable A substance that can
catch fire very easily.
Explosive A substance that can
explode very easily if
heated or dropped.
Corrosive A corrosive substance is
one that can easily burn
through other pieces of
matter.

4. The HHPS system not only uses these
four symbols, but it also describes to us
how severe the danger is.

5. Shape Colour Meaning Example
Red Extremely
Dangerous
This substance is
extremely poisonous.
This may kill an
organism.
Orange Dangerous This substance
may ignite
(set on fire).
Yellow Caution This substance is
mildly corrosive. It
may burn through
paper or irritate skin

6. WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials
Information System )
• WHMIS (pronounced wim-is) is another
system developed by scientists is mandatory
in any employment setting, from factories and
chemical plants to homes and schools. It is a
program that all employees must be made
aware of. If you currently have a part-time
job, you most likely will be taking a seminar in
WHMIS. Similar to HHPS, WHMIS also uses
safety symbols to let users know what
dangers the chemical may possess.

7. Symbol Meaning Description
Compressed
Gas
A gas is under very
high pressure inside of
its container and
therefore may explode
easily.
Flammable and
Combustible
Same meaning as in the
HHPS category.
Oxidizing
Material
Contains highly
reactive oxidizing agent.
(more dangerous than
the oxygen we breathe).
Corrosive
Material
Same meaning as in
HHSP.

8. Symbol Meaning Description
Dangerously
Reactive
Material
Can combine with almost any
chemical around it and cause a
potentially dangerous reaction.
Biohazardous
Infectious
Substance from living
tissue/cells and natural waste
products.
Poisonous and
Infectious
Substance is very toxic and
may be fatal (cause death).
Effect is more instant.
Poisonous and
Infectious
Substance causes effects
that are more prolonged and
longer lasting.

9. Practice questions & activities
•w/b page 1 abc’s of lab safety - group
•w/b page 2 An Unsafe Laboratory – group
•w/b page 3, 4, 5, 6

10. Practice questions & activities
•w/b page 1 abc’s of lab safety - group
•w/b page 2 An Unsafe Laboratory – group
•w/b page 3, 4, 5, 6