4.11 Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Policy

Transcription

1 4.11 Workplace Hazardous Materials System (WHMIS) Policy Purpose The policy is designed for the safety of all employees working with or near hazardous materials. It is the responsibility of all employees and supervisors to make sure that the Workplace Hazardous Materials System (WHMIS) policy is followed. The Workplace Hazardous Materials System (WHMIS) became law through a series of complementary federal, provincial and territorial legislation that became effective October 31, On February 11, 2015, the Hazardous Products Regulations (HPR) was published along with amendments to the Hazardous Products Act (HPA) which modified WHMIS 1988 to incorporate the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). This modified WHMIS is referred to as WHMIS Although WHMIS 2015 includes new harmonized criteria for hazard classification and requirements of labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS), the roles and responsibilities for suppliers, employers and employees have not changed. By December 1, 2018, the transition to WHMIS 2015 must be complete for all parties. There should not be any hazardous products in the workplace with WHMIS 1988 labels and SDS by the end of the transition period. This policy is intended to ensure, at a minimum, compliance with the requirements of the legislation. Policy Supplier It is the responsibility of the supplier to: Employer Classify hazardous materials into a WHMIS class. Provide supplier labels on their hazardous material. Provide SDS for each hazardous material. It is the responsibility of the employer to: Maintain an inventory of all controlled materials at [Employer/Organization Name]. Ensure all materials are appropriately labelled. Ensure current SDS for all materials are accessible for employees. Review SDS for any new materials to be used at [Employer/Organization Name] before purchase to determine if the material is suitable for use. Coordinate and maintain records of WHMIS training.

2 Supervisors It is the responsibility of all supervisors to ensure that: Employees They are familiar with the hazardous materials, procedures and application. Employees, contractor employees or supplied employees are identified and provided with proper and adequate time, tools and training to perform the work safely. Coordinate and record employee participation in material specific WHMIS training. Ensure that the procedures, equipment and materials appropriate for the specific work are provided to protect the health and safety of all employees. Every employee understands the need for WHMIS. Proper enforcement of this policy is followed. It is the responsibility of employees, contract employees or supplied employees to: Take proper and adequate training in hazardous materials procedures. Use appropriate equipment, protective devices and measures provided for working with hazardous materials. Advise supervisors when proper procedures cannot be followed. Ensure labels are in good condition. Requirements Any employer that uses controlled substances must train employees in the use, handling and storage of chemicals. WHMIS provides the right to know about the hazardous materials employees are exposed to at work. This includes the right to: Procedure Review labels and SDS. Receive instruction and training. Be consulted regarding the development and implementation of the instruction and training. An up-to-date inventory of chemical substances used and stored at [Employer/Organization Name] will be maintained by the employer. All employees may access this information through a hard copy found on the Health and Safety Bulletin Board. All areas will have access to SDS that contains current SDS relevant to the location. The employer will ensure SDS are current. SDS must accompany ALL shipments of WHMIS Controlled Products and be turned over directly to the employer as appropriate for review, distribution and filing.

3 SDS must precede new product shipments and pass review by the employer before [Employer/Organization Name] will receive them. A master set of all SDS will be on file, located [Location]. Primary containers are those containers in which a manufacturer/distributor supplies a product to the facility. In such cases, the manufacturer/distributor will ensure that WHMIS labeling requirements are met. No future in-house labeling is required provided that the material is not transferred to another container or that the primary container label is not/does not become defaced/illegible. Secondary containers store substances which have been prepared in-house or transferred from a primary container. The employee transferring any product from a primary to a secondary container will ensure that the container is labeled with a workplace label. An annual workplace assessment of the WHMIS program will be completed by the employer and Health and Safety Representative. All employees must receive both generic WHMIS training and specific WHMIS training. The employer will be responsible for coordinating and recording participation details of generic WHMIS training. Supervisors will be responsible for coordinating and recording participation in specific WHMIS training. Employee training must be completed at the following times: Prior to the introduction of a new chemical to the workplace (specific) Prior to starting work as a new work assignment (specific) Prior to starting work as an employee (generic and specific) As determined upon annual review, refresher for all employees (generic) Employee WHMIS training must cover the following: Supplier Labels contained on SDS WHMIS legislation and symbols Protective equipment for each particular task The safe handling and disposal of chemicals and biological agents The supplier must determine if the product contains any hazardous ingredients. If so the supplier is responsible to attach a supplier label to the product prior to shipping. The label includes: Product Identifier Supplier Identifier Pictogram Hazard Statement Signal Word

4 Precautionary Statements If at any time the supplier label becomes illegible or is missing, it must be immediately reported to the supervisor. Example WHMIS 2015 Supplier Label Workplace Labels Workplace labels are required when product is transferred from the supplier container to another container or when the supplier label becomes illegible or is missing. It is the employer/employee's responsibility to attach a workplace label to the new container. Workplace labels will contain the following information: Product Identifier - name of the product Safety Precautions Statement saying more information available from the SDS Employees must read and follow instructions.

5 Example WHMIS 2015 Workplace Label SDS SDS contain a great deal of information about the product; they will outline the hazards and the precautions to avoid injury or illness when handling the product. The supplier is responsible to update WHMIS 2015 SDS if there is a change to the product. WHMIS 2015 SDS typically have 16 categories of information, they are: Identification Hazard Identification Composition/ on Ingredients First Aid Measures Fire Fighting Measures Accidental Release Measures Handling and Storage Exposure Controls/ Product identifier (i.e. product name), use, manufacturer and/or supplier information, date Quick reference for emergency responders, health effects, route of entry Hazardous ingredients, CAS number, LD50 and LC50 exposure limits Specific first aid measures Conditions of flammability, means of extinction, flammable limits, explosion data, other Procedures to follow if a leak or spill occurs Handling procedures, storage requirements Engineering controls to be used, personal protective equipment to be used

6 Personal Protection Physical and Chemical Properties Stability and Reactivity Toxicological Ecological Disposal Consideratio ns Transport Regulatory Other Physical state, odour, specific gravity, boiling point, many others When unstable - incompatible chemicals; when active - hazardous decomposition products Irritancy/sensitization, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, teratogenicity, mutagenicity, synergistic products Effect on animals and birds on safe handling for disposal and methods of disposal, including any contaminated packaging UN number, UN proper shipping name, transport hazard class(es), packing group, environmental hazards, transport in bulk, if applicable, special precautions WHMIS Classification Date of the latest revision of the SDS SDS must be posted in all work areas that use controlled products. An additional copy should be kept on the health and safety board. Additional Resources SDS Request Letter Workplace Hazardous Materials Inventory Comparison of WHMIS 1988 Symbols and 2015 Pictograms Legislative Reference Occupational Health and Safety Act Sections 37, 38, 41, 42 Regulation 860 WHMIS

7 Document Management Effective Date: Revision Date:

8 Safety Data Sheet Request Letter Template «Company» «Address1»«Address2» «City» «State» «PostalCode» Dear «Company» Recently, a review of our Workplace Hazardous Materials System (WHMIS) program was completed. I would appreciate your company forwarding the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to me for the following substances: [Materials] Thank you for your assistance in making our site a safe place to work. Sincerely, [Employer/Organization Name]

9 Workplace Hazardous Materials Inventory Product Name Supplier Contact Volume Location on Premises SDS (Y) Use

10 Comparison of WHMIS 1988 Symbols and 2015 Pictograms Hazard Class and Description Class A Compressed Gas 1988 Symbols 2015 Pictograms Hazard Class and Description Compressed Gas Gases under Pressure Class B Flammable and Combustible Material Flammable Material, Gases, Liquids, Solids, Aerosols, Pyrophoric Gases Class C Oxidizing Material Oxidizing Liquids Solids & Gases Class D Poisonous and Infectious Materials Division 1 Materials Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects Class D Poisonous and Infectious Materials Toxicity & Other Health Hazards - Acute Toxicity Oral, Dermal, Inhalation Fatal or Toxic Toxicity & Other Health Hazards - Acute Toxicity Oral, Dermal, Inhalation Harmful Toxicity & Other Health Hazards Other Health Effects Severe and/or Chronic. Aspiration

11 Hazard Class and Description Division 2 Materials Causing Other Toxic Effects Class D Poisonous and Infectious Materials Division 3 Biohazardous Infectious Materials 1988 Symbols 2015 Pictograms Hazard Class and Description Toxicity & Other Health Hazards Other Health Effects Less Severe. Skin/Eye/Respiratory irritant, skin sensitizer Toxicity & Other Health Hazards Other Health Effects Biohazardous Infectious Materials Class E Corrosive Material Corrosive Material Corrosive to Metals Skin Corrosion/Burns Eye Damage Class F Dangerously Reactive Material Self-Reactive Chemicals Type A and B Self-Reactive Chemicals Type B through F