What Is The WHMIS Classification Checklist?

The WHMIS Classification Checklist is an essential tool when determining the WHMIS classification of a chemical/substance that will be used in the workplace. The checklist is divided into six sections based on the six WHMIS classes (Compressed Gas, Flammable/Combustible Material, Oxidizing Material, Poisonous and Infectious Material, Corrosive Material and Dangerously Reactive Material). Some of these sections are further divided into specific classes (such as D1A or D1B and D2A or D2B).

Each of these sections has detailed requirements that a chemical must meet in order to fall under that classification. For example, Class E (Corrosive Material) has 4 requirements: pH less than 2.0 or greater than 11.5, causes irreversible damage/necrosis of skin tissue, corrodes SAE 1020 steel or aluminum type 7075-T6, and TDG class 8 (or 2.4 for a gas). If a chemical falls into at least one of these categories it would be classified as corrosive under WHMIS.

When determining a classification for a product that will be used or sold in a Canadian workplace, one would go through each section on the checklist and determine what requirements that chemical meets. Once the checklist is completed, the WHMIS classification can be obtained by reviewing what conditions were met under the six classes.