WHMIS Presented by Name Title Date WHMIS WHMIS

WHMIS Presented by Name Title Date

WHMIS

WHMIS W Workplace H Hazardous M Materials I Information S System

Course Outline Ø Introduction Ø WHMIS ü Labels ü Material Safety Data Sheets ü Worker Education Ø WHMIS Legislation Ø Summary

Introduction to WHMIS is Canada-wide legislation, dealing with controlled products in the workplace. A controlled product is ‘any product, material or substance included in any one of the classes listed in the Hazardous Products Act (HPA). ’ NOTE: HPA is federal legislation

Hazardous Classes Under HPA Class A: Compressed Gas Class B: Flammable and Combustible Material Class C: Oxidizing Material Class D: Poisonous and Infectious Material Class E: Corrosive Material Class F: Dangerously Reactive Material

WHMIS is Designed to Solve the Problem of: Ø Unlabeled materials in the workplace Ø Inadequate or contradictory information being given to employers/workers regarding identification, hazardous properties and precautions to be taken with hazardous materials used in the workplace

Three Components of WHMIS 1. Labels on hazardous materials or their containers 2. MSDS or material safety data sheets which are technical bulletins providing more detailed information than the label 3. Worker education and training, providing instruction on hazards and safe work procedures

Supplier Defined “Supplier" means a person who is a manufacturer, processor or packager of a controlled product or a person who, in the course of business, imports or sells controlled products; Hazardous Products Act (HPA)

Flow of Information JHSC Producer input Supplier label Supplier Employer MSDS Importer Worker Training Informed worker

Labels Two Types: 1. Supplier labels (developed and provided by the supplier) 2. Workplace labels (developed and used in the workplace)

Supplier Label: Required Statements 1. Product Identifier 2. Hazard Symbols 3. Risk Phrases 4. Precautions 5. First Aid 6. Supplier Information 7. Reference to MSDS

Supplier Label

What is the Key to Everyday WHMIS in the Workplace? HAZARD SYMBOLS!

HAZARD SYMBOLS

What Does This Symbol Mean?

What Do We Know? Compressed Gas (Class A): Ø Poses an explosion danger because the gas is under pressure Ø Container may explode if heated or dropped Ø Container may become a projectile if the stem is broken off

Examples Compressed Gas (Class A): Examples: § Oxygen § Acetylene § Propane § Spray paint § Etc.

Compressed Gas Accident

What Does This Symbol Mean?

What Do We Know? Combustible and Flammable Material (Class B): Ø Will burn and is therefore a potential fire hazard Ø May burn at relatively low temperatures; flammable materials catch fire at lower temperatures than combustible materials Ø May burst into flame spontaneously in air, or release a flammable gas on contact with water Ø May cause a fire when exposed to heat, sparks, or flames, or as a result of friction

Examples Combustible and Flammable Material (Class B): Flammable: Butane, propane, hydrogen gas, acetone, gasoline, isopropyl alcohol, magnesium alloys, etc. Combustible: Kerosene, diesel, mineral spirits, varnish, etc.

Flammable Vapours + Spark = Fire

Flammable Gas Accident

What Does This Symbol Mean?

What Do We Know? Oxidizing Material (Class C): Ø Poses a fire and/or explosion risk in the presence of flammable or combustible material Ø May react violently when it comes into contact with combustible materials such as fuels or wood Ø May burn skin and eyes upon contact

Examples Oxidizing Material (Class C): Examples: § Perchloric acid § Hydrogen peroxide § Nitric acid § Compressed oxygen § Ozone

Oxidizing Accident

What Does This Symbol Mean?

What Do We Know? Poisonous and Infectious Material (Class D, Division 1): Ø Is a potentially fatal poisonous substance Ø May be fatal or cause permanent damage if it is inhaled or swallowed or if it enters the body through skin contact Ø May burn eyes or skin upon contact

Examples Poisonous and Infectious Material (Class D, Division 1): Examples: § Sodium cyanide § Hydrogen sulphide § Carbon monoxide § Sulphuric acid § Toluene

What Does This Symbol Mean?

What Do We Know? Poisonous and Infectious Material: Other Toxic Effects (Class D, Division 2): Ø Not immediately dangerous to health Ø May cause death or permanent damage as a result of repeated exposure over time Ø May be a sensitizer, which produces allergic reactions Ø May cause cancers, birth defects, or sterility

Examples Poisonous and Infectious Material: Other Toxic Effects (Class D, Division 2): Examples: § Asbestos § Lead § Cadmium § Benzene § Mercury

What Does This Symbol Mean?

What Do We Know? Poisonous and Infectious Material: Biohazardous, infectious material (Class D, Division 3): Ø May cause a serious disease resulting in illness (AIDS, Hepatitis) or death Ø Can also include tetanus protection

Examples Poisonous and Infectious Material: Biohazardous, infectious material (Class D, Division 3): Examples: § Salmonella bacteria § Hepatitis B virus § HIV-AIDS § Parasites § Bodily fluids, such as blood and urine

What Does This Symbol Mean?

What do We Know? Corrosive Material (Class E): Ø Causes severe eye and skin irritation upon contact Ø Causes severe tissue damage with prolonged contact Ø Often produces vapour or fumes that may be harmful if inhaled

Examples Corrosive Material (Class E): Examples: § Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) § Hydrochloric acid § Nitric acid § Sulphuric acid

What Does This Symbol Mean?

What Do We Know? Dangerously Reactive Material (Class F): Ø Is very unstable Ø May react with water to release a toxic or flammable gas Ø May explode as a result of shock, friction or an increase in temperature Ø May explode if heated when in a closed container Ø Undergoes vigorous polymerization

Examples Dangerously Reactive Material (Class F): Examples: § Vinyl chloride § Picric acid § Some cyanides

Dangerously Reactive Accidents

Workplace Labels • • Methanol è Product Identifier Avoid inhaling vapours, handle è Information on safe with care handling of the Flammable product Avoid eye and skin contact See MSDS for more èReference to MSDS information

Workplace Labels Ø Must be displayed to give clear warning to employees Ø May be a label, tag, sign or other Ø Is not required to be bilingual; can be in the language of the workplace

Material Safety Data Sheets The MSDS is: - A technical information reference for worker education, control measures and emergency response - A document that can be distributed - A document that must be available to workers

Material Safety Data Sheets The MSDS is NOT: - All the information needed for the safe use of a product in every possible situation - A document only to be read and filed

MSDS Required Criteria 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Product Identifier Ingredients Physical Data Fire and Explosion Hazards Reactivity Data Toxicological Properties Preventive Measures First Aid Measures Preparation Information

Section 1: Product Identification and Use Ø The intent of this section is for product identification, supplier identification, and a description of the product use Ø It is of particular use in organizing data sheets for quick retrieval Ø It includes the emergency telephone number

Section 2: Hazardous Ingredients Ø This section provides information on the identity, concentration, and estimators of acute toxicity for the ingredients of a controlled product Ø Copyright law permits limiting information in this section however, disclosure is mandatory if a worker is exposed to the product Ø Useful information for emergency health care providers

Lethal Dose and Lethal Concentration The lower the lethal dose and lethal concentration numbers, the more dangerous the material is to human beings. LD 50 / LC 50

Section 3: Physical Data Ø This section provides a physical description of the product Ø It describes its response to changes in the physical environment, and has specific applications for ventilation system design and emergency procedures

Section 4: Fire or Explosion Hazard Ø The intent of Section 4 is to provide information to assist with fire and explosion prevention, as well as emergency procedures. Ø This section is particularly important with flammables, solvents, organic peroxides, explosives, metal dusts and other unstable substances. If the product is not flammable or explosive, information in this section must reflect that fact.

Section 5: Reactivity Data Ø Information on the stability of the product and its likelihood of dangerous reaction with other chemicals Ø Implications for handling procedures and storage arrangements Ø May be useful along with Section 4 data for the prevention and control of fires or explosions

Section 6: Toxicological Properties Ø This section provides information on how a material is likely to enter the body and what short and long-term effects it is likely to have Ø Includes signs and symptoms of exposure and pre-existing medical conditions which may be aggravated Ø Information in this section is an important determinant of preventive and first aid measures and emergency care

Section 7: Preventive Measures Ø Provides clear direction for transportation, storage, use and disposal of the product, as well as emergency procedures related to accidental release Ø Information must be as specific as possible. Employers may need to adapt information from data sheets to the specific hazard circumstances of each workplace

Section 8: First Aid Measures Ø Information necessary for the safe evacuation and immediate treatment of a person experiencing acute effects of overexposure Ø Meant for use by workers on site, including first aid personnel Ø Usually expands on the first aid instructions described on the supplier label

Section 9: Preparation Information Ø Name and telephone number of those responsible for MSDS preparation Ø Date of preparation Ø WHMIS legislation requires that MSDS be kept current; no older than 3 years

General Approach to MSDS Ø Identify the chemical and the emergency Ø Ø telephone number Know the hazards/precautions Understand safe handling and storage procedures Emergency procedures (in case of an emergency bring the MSDS with you to the hospital) Identify the preparation date

WHMIS Responsibilities Suppliers, employers and employees each have a role to play in making WHMIS work!

Supplier Responsibilities Supplier responsibilities are found under the Hazardous Products Act (Federal Bill C-07) and the Occupational Health & Safety Act, Section 13 Suppliers Must: I. Label controlled products intended for workplace use II. Supply MSDS with each controlled product

Employer Responsibilities The employer’s WHMIS responsibilities are outlined in Provincial Regulation 88 -221: Ø To obtain MSDS from supplier Ø Ensure appropriate labelling (supplier and workplace) Ø Provide adequate instruction and training to employees Ø Sort and file the MSDS in a clearly indicated and easily accessible area

Employee Responsibilities WHMIS legislation does not place any direct responsibility on the workers, however under Section 12 of the OHS Act, employees must: Ø Comply with the Act Ø Conduct themselves to ensure their health and safety Ø Report hazards Ø Wear/use protective equipment Ø Consult/co-operate with the JHSC

Summary WHMIS has ‘three components’: WHMIS is a ‘hazard class’ driven system 1. Labels 2. MSDS 3. Worker Education ØCompressed Gas ØFlammable ØOxidizers ØPoisons ØCorrosives ØReactive

Summary Employers must train their workers to use the information provided by Training should be reviewed and/or updated ØLabels ØMSDS Yearly, or as conditions change