WHMIS Workplace Hazardous Material Information System USED BY PERMISSION Part of this section s material is provided through a partnership of the ODA and the Public Services Health and Safety Association (PSHSA) from 2010 and is copyrighted by them. Web site: www.pshsa.ca All material copyright 2010 Public Services Health & Safety Association. You may use and reproduce these materials as required for training and educational purposes only, provided that this copyright notice paragraph appears in full on any copy or reproduction. You may make no claim to copyright in any materials incorporating or derived from these materials. All other rights reserved. Objectives : Understand WHMIS and its importance Know responsibilities of: employer employee supplier Know components of WHMIS Training to recognize hazardous materials and protect yourself and others What is WHMIS? Canada Wide Standard that focuses on hazardous materials and their: Safe use Safe handling Proper storage Proper disposal procedures WHMIS Federal legislation is the base for all WHMIS regulations including: - Hazardous Products Act - Controlled Products Regulation Each province also has WHMIS requirements (Ontario): - Annual inventory controlled products - Annual training review
EMPLOYER Responsibilities Hazardous Material management program Education and training Labeling of products MSDS available Competent supervisors Implement controls EMPLOYEE Responsibilities Participate in training Apply safe practices Use PPE Report defective or missing labels Know MSDS location SUPPLIER Responsibilities Products classified Products labeled MSDS provided and current - updated every 3 years Components of WHMIS Hazard Symbols Supplier, Workplace & Consumer Labels Provision of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Training and worker education Generic Job Specific WHMIS SYMBOLS Class A: Compressed Gas Can explode and take off like a rocket. Examples include: Propane Tanks, Fire Extinguishers, Oxygen or Nitrous Oxide Tanks Class B: Flammable or Combustible Material Can burst into flames very suddenly if there is contact with an ignition source. Examples include: gasoline, solvents, acetone, isopropyl alcohol Class C: Oxidizing Material Feed oxygen into a fire making it larger and hotter. Examples include: chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, nitrous oxide, oxygen
Class D1: Poisonous & Infectious Material (acute) Can cause immediate and serious poisoning. Examples include: bleach, ammonia, mercury Class D2: Other Toxic Effects (chronic) Can cause slow poisoning and long-term illness. Examples include: glutaraldehyde, lead foil, varsol, paint thinners Class D3: Biohazardous Infectious Material Can give you a serious infectious disease. Examples include: bodily fluids blood and urine Class E: Corrosive Material Can seriously harm your eyes or burn your skin. Examples include: bleach, x-ray film developer, industrial laundry detergent, floor strippers Class F: Dangerously Reactive Material Can explode from vibration, shock or sudden temperature change. Examples include: rare - oxygen destainer Consumer Warning Label System Five Categories Four Symbols Supplier Label Supplier Label: Name of Product Supplier name and address Refer to MSDS statement Hazard symbol(s) under 100 ml Risk phrase over 100 ml Precautionary measures First aid measures Hatched border any size English and French Workplace Label Workplace label: Product name Safe handling information Refer to MSDS statement Hazard symbol optional No hatched border required
Consumer product label Label Text Hazard Symbol Border English and French Transportation of dangerous goods Label Nitrous oxide, Oxygen Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Material Safety Data Sheets explain how to: Handle the hazardous chemical safely Respond to emergencies, and Clean up and dispose of these materials Components of an MSDS Product Information Hazardous Ingredients Physical data Fire or Explosion Data Reactivity Data Toxicological properties Preventative measures First aid measures Preparation information Must list ingredient in MSDS if: Any controlled product criteria, concentration of 1% or more Ingredient disclosure list under Federal Products Act Supplier/employer believe ingredient is harmful Toxicological properties are unknown
Protecting yourself and others Controlling Hazards: At the source Along the path At the worker At the Source Eliminate the product Substitute for it Modify your process Isolate material or process from workers Along the Path Ventilation Barriers Good housekeeping At the Worker Proper Storage Proper Use Spill clean up procedures Personal protective equipment (PPE) Preventing WHMIS Illnesses and Injuries R-A-C-E R-A-C-E Recognize - Where chemicals enter the building - Where they are stored - How they are used Assess - How serious of a problem is the chemical Control - At the source - Along the path - At the worker Evaluate - Effectiveness of control measures R-A-C-E Understand how to apply the R-A-C-E process in your workplace with: Breathing Hazards
Fire and Explosion hazards Poisonous, Corrosive or Infectious hazards Breathing Hazards Air can be contaminated by dust, gases, vapours from chemicals or processes or by-products Three symbols can help you identify materials that affect the air you breathe: Fire and Explosion Hazards There may be hazardous materials that can burst into flames Four symbols can help you identify materials that can cause fire or explosion hazards: Poisonous, Corrosive and Infectious Hazards There may be hazardous materials that can cause injury, sickness or disease Four symbols can help you identify poisonous, corrosive and Infectious materials ACTION STEPS WHMIS policy and program Ongoing education documented Knowledge of labels, MSDS, job specific training and employee testing Office hazard assessment Chemical inventory sheet