WHMIS - Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System Hazard Classes and Pictograms Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A container in the workplace has a pictogram of a skull and crossbones. Which hazard class does this symbol primarily represent?
- Corrosive to metals
- Acute toxicity (fatal or toxic) (Correct answer)
- Carcinogenicity
- Flammable solids
Correct answer: Acute toxicity (fatal or toxic)
The skull and crossbones pictogram indicates that a product can cause death or toxicity with short exposure to small amounts. This falls under the 'Acute toxicity' hazard class.
Question 2: You are training a new employee who points to the 'Flame over Circle' pictogram. Which of the following statements BEST describes the hazard this represents?
- The material is flammable and will ignite on its own.
- The material can cause or intensify a fire or cause an explosion. (Correct answer)
- The material is under pressure and may explode if heated.
- The material will release flammable gases when in contact with water.
Correct answer: The material can cause or intensify a fire or cause an explosion.
The 'Flame over Circle' pictogram represents oxidizing hazards. Oxidizers can cause or intensify a fire or cause a fire or explosion by providing oxygen.
Question 3: A worker finds a canister with the 'Gas Cylinder' pictogram. What is the primary hazard associated with this symbol?
- The gas is always flammable.
- The gas is corrosive to the respiratory tract.
- The container holds gas under pressure which could explode if heated. (Correct answer)
- The gas is a biohazardous infectious material.
Correct answer: The container holds gas under pressure which could explode if heated.
The 'Gas Cylinder' pictogram represents gases under pressure. The primary hazard is the high pressure itself, which can cause the cylinder to explode if heated, regardless of the chemical properties of the gas inside.
Question 4: Which of the following hazard classes is represented by the 'Health Hazard' pictogram, which shows a person with a starburst on their chest?
- Acute toxicity (harmful)
- Skin corrosion or irritation
- Combustible dusts
- Carcinogenicity (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Carcinogenicity
The 'Health Hazard' pictogram is used for various serious, long-term health effects, including carcinogenicity (may cause cancer), germ cell mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, and specific target organ toxicity after single or repeated exposure.
Question 5: A new cleaning agent is delivered to the workplace. The safety data sheet (SDS) indicates it falls under the 'Skin Corrosion/Irritation - Category 1' hazard class. Which pictogram would you expect to see on the label?
- Exclamation Mark
- Corrosion (Correct answer)
- Skull and Crossbones
- Health Hazard
Correct answer: Corrosion
The 'Corrosion' pictogram is used for substances that can cause severe skin burns and eye damage, which corresponds to Category 1 of the Skin Corrosion/Irritation class. The Exclamation Mark is used for less severe irritation (Category 2).
Question 6: Which WHMIS hazard group are classes like 'Flammable Liquids', 'Gases Under Pressure', and 'Corrosive to Metals' categorized under?
- Environmental Hazards
- Reactivity Hazards
- Physical Hazards (Correct answer)
- Health Hazards
Correct answer: Physical Hazards
WHMIS organizes hazards into two main groups: Physical Hazards and Health Hazards. Physical hazards are based on the physical and chemical properties of the product, such as flammability, reactivity, or its state as a compressed gas.
WHMIS - Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System Hazard Classes and Pictograms Questions and Answers 1
A container in the workplace has a pictogram of a skull and crossbones.
Which hazard class does this symbol primarily represent?