WHMIS 2015 WHMIS is an acronym that stands

WHMIS 2015

�WHMIS is an acronym that stands for: Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. �The new 2015 WHMIS is an international program that insures your “right to know” about the chemicals you are working with at school or on the job.

�WHMIS provides the information we need to know about the hazardous materials we use in the laboratory by having: 1. Distinctive labels 2. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) 3. Instructional programs

�The WHMIS program uses nine distinctive pictograms to identify the two Hazard Groups. 1. Physical Hazards and 2. Health Hazards

Physical Hazards �Products have been classified according to their physical or chemical properties. Examples: �combustibility �corrosiveness on metals. �reactivity �flammability �compressed gases

Health Hazards �Products have been classified based on their ability to cause adverse health effects. Examples: �acute toxicity �skin corrosion / irritation �respiratory sensitization (such as breathing difficulties, asthma or allergy) �eye irritation �carcinogenicity (ability to cause cancer) �reproductive toxicity

GAS CYLINDER Risks �Gas Under Pressure �Can explode if heated or dropped Precautions �do not put near heat and do not drop

FLAME Risks �Fire Hazard �sparks, flame or friction can ignite it �keeps burning once on fire Precautions �Keep away from sparks, flames and sources of friction

FLAME OVER CIRCLE Risks �Cause Other Items to Burn �called an Oxidizer �can explode if near flammable or combustible items Precautions �Keep away from flammable or combustible items

SKULL AND CROSSBONES Risks �Fatal or Toxic �Can cause death or toxicity with short exposure to small amounts Precautions �Avoid exposure

Exclamation Point Risks �May cause less serious health effects �May cause irritation to skin and eyes �May cause irritation to the respiratory tract �May be sensitive to skin Precautions �Avoid exposure to the material

Biohazardous Infectious Material Risks Precautions �Could cause serious �Avoid exposure to injury or death any materials �includes viruses, contaminated with yeasts, moulds, these harmful bacteria and materials parasites that hurt humans

Corrosive Risks �Corrosive damage to metals, skin and eyes �corrosive to metals �may cause severe damage to skin and eyes Precautions �Avoid contact with skin and eyes and metals

Health Hazard Risks �Material may cause or is suspected of causing serious health effects �Material is a carcinogen �May cause infertility or birth defects �May cause organ Precautions �Avoid exposure

Exploding Bomb Risks �Explosion or reactivity hazards �Material may explode and is very reactive on its own Precautions �Handle with extreme care.

Environmental �Non-mandatory �May cause damage to the aquatic environment. �Make sure that the material is not poured down the drain or in sewers.