WHMIS Purpose of WHMIS Workplace Hazardous Materials Information

WHMIS

Purpose of WHMIS • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System • Provides Information on Hazardous Materials used in Workplace • Facilitates the Process of Hazard Identification • Ensures Consistency of Information in all Canadian Workplaces

Federal Legislation:

Ontario Legislation:

Responsibilities Under WHMIS • Duties of the Supplier – Classify Product – Apply Supplier Label – Provide Material Safety Data Sheet

Responsibilities Under WHMIS • Duties of the Employer – Conduct Workplace Inventory – Ensure Proper Labeling is Used – Label Piping Systems/Vessels/Reactors – Maintain and Make Available MSDS’s – Train Workers

Responsibilities Under WHMIS • Duties of a Worker – Participate in Training – Apply Knowledge and Training

Exclusions Under WHMIS • The Explosives Act • The Food and Drug Act • The Pest Control Product’s Act • The Atomic Energy Control Act • Hazardous Wastes • Consumer Products/Tobacco/Manufactured Articles

“Right to Know” • Worker’s have Access to Information through their Employer • Public has Access to Information through Local Medical Officer of Health

Trade Secret Protection • Hazardous Materials Information Review Commission • Tripartite

Trade Secret Protection • Criteria – Information Known Outside Business – Information Known Inside Business – Measures Taken to Guard Secrecy – Value of Information to Firm or Competition – Financial Expenditures

Information Delivery • Labels – Supplier Label – Workplace Label • Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) • Worker Education

WHMIS Hazard Classifications

Class A • Compressed Gas – Any Hazardous Material that is contained under pressure including compressed gas, dissolved gas, or liquefied gas

Compressed Gas Cylinders • store and transport with safety cap • comply with storage restrictions • DO NOT store fuel gas with oxygen • secure in an upright position • use in a well ventilated area • use the proper type of regulator and know its history

Class B • Flammable and Combustible Material – Flammable Gases – Flammable and Combustible Liquids – Flammable Solids – Flammable Aerosols – Reactive Flammable Material

Flammable Materials • Methanol, Toluene, Butane, Ethanol • Store liquids in Flammable Storage Cabinet • Store minimum quantities in lab • Explosion-proof fixtures required • Decant in large quantities in fume hood • NEVER store with oxidizers • Keep away from heat, ignition sources, and direct sunlight • Use static lines when transferring • Refrigerator must meet NFPA Standard 56 C ( Flammable Material Storage Units)

Class C • Oxidizing Material – Any Hazardous Material which causes or contributes to the combustion of another material by giving oxygen or some other oxidizing substance, whether or not it is combustible. – Organic Peroxides

Oxidizers • Chlorates, Nitric Acid, Peroxides, Permanganates, Perchlorates, Nitrites, Nitrates • Easily oxidize metal powders, organic materials • Keep minimum quantities in lab • Segregate from other materials, such as organic solvents • Use a glass-heating mantle or sand bath to heat material • PPE and/or Explosion barriers may be require

Perchloric Acid • Perchlorate salts are explosive • Use a perchloric acid fume hood • Wash down fume hood after use • Never store with organic chemicals especially alcohols and glycerol • Store in a ceramic tray

Organic Peroxides • Some are very unstable • Sensitive to heat, friction, impact, sparks, light • Use minimum quantities in lab • NEVER replace unused peroxides into original container • NEVER use a metal spatula to handle peroxides • Refrigerate to minimize decomposition

Peroxide Formers • Have caused several severe laboratory explosions • Contributing Factors: Oxygen, Light, Storage Time • Visual Identifiers: Crystals, Floating wisplike structures • Date and Dispose of within 1 year

Common Chemicals forming Peroxides • Diethyl ether • Tetrahydrofuran • Dioxane • Methyl isobutyl ketone

Class D 1 • Poisonous & Infectious Materials – Material causing immediate and serious toxic effects – Materials which are potentially fatal or may cause permanent damage if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin, or may burn the skin or eyes upon contact

Class D 2 • Poisonous & Infectious Materials – Material causing other chronic or long term effects – Material which may cause dealth or permanent damage as a result of repeated exposure over an extended period of time; may be an irritant to the skin, eyes, or respiratory system; may cause cancer, birth defects, or sterility.

Class D 3 • Poisonous & Infectious Materials – Biohazardous and Infectious Materials – Materials which may cause disease in humans and animals, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi; may also include cultures and diagnostic specimens such as blood, urine, and body tissue.

Class E • Corrosive Material – Material which may corrode aluminum and steel or human flesh – Material which are anhydrous corrosive gases

Inorganic Acids • Sulfuric Acid, Nitric Acid, Perchloric Acid, Hydrochloric Acid • Segregate from bases and organic compounds • Store in a ventilated acid cabinet • Know the location of eye washes and safety showers • Use a safety carriers • Store on lower shelves

Bases • Sodium hydroxide, Ammonium hydroxide • Segregate from acids and organic compounds • Store in a ventilated cabinet • Know the location of eye washes and safety showers • Use a safety carrier • Store on lower shelves

Hydrogen fluoride • Is extremely corrosive • Dissolves glass • Absence of immediate pain, penetration can be extensive, leading to serious injury or death • Causes severe eye irritation and skin burns

Class F • Dangerously Reactive Material – Materials which undergo vigorous polymerization, decomposition, or condensation – Materials which become self-reactive under conditions of shock, or increased temperature or pressure – Materials which react vigorously with water to produce a very toxic gas

Ethylene Oxide • Used as a Sterilant at hospital • Extremely flammable • Supplies its own oxygen/Chemically decomposes • Highly Reactive • Very Corrosive • Human Carcinogen

Water Reactive Materials • Sodium metal, acid and metal anhydrides, calcium, phosphorous pentachloride, aluminum chlorideanhydrous • Special storage requirements

Pyrophoric Materials • Air reactive • White phosphorus, diborane, diethyl aluminum chloride, lithium • Store under an inert atmosphere such as nitrogen

Cryogenic Materials • Liquid Nitrogen • Never use to cool substances which are combustible in air - explosion risk from condensation of oxygen from air • Use insulated gloves and face shield • Keep cryogenic substances in containers which are not tightly closed to prevent explosive pressure buildup • Use only equipment designed for cryogenic materials

General Dry Chemicals • Relatively innocuous or unreactive • No special storage requirements

Chemical Compatibility • Never store incompatible materials together • Vapours will react • Chemical Compatibility Chart

WHMIS Labels

Supplier Label • Product Identifier • Hazard Symbols • Border • Bilingual • Risk Phrases and Precautions • First Aid, Supplier Information • Precautions • Safe Handling Precautions • Reference to MSDS

Laboratory Labels • No Supplier Label Required: – If Controlled Product • originates from lab supply house • intended solely for lab use • package quantity is less than 10 kgs – If Package Label contains • product identifier • statement indicating MSDS available • risk phrases/precautionary measures • first aid measures

Laboratory Samples • No Supplier Label Required: – If the Controlled Product • container is less than 10 kgs • intended for lab analysis – If supplier provides a label containing • product and/or chemical identifier • supplier identifier • statement “Hazardous Laboratory Sample for hazard information or in an emergency call” plus emergency phone number

Workplace Label • Product Identifier • Safe Handling Precautions • Reference to MSDS

Workplace Label Uses • Transfer of material from a Supplier Labelled container to another container • Replacement of a damaged Supplier Label

NFPA Hazard Classifications

Laboratory Samples • No Supplier or Workplace Label Required – If controlled product is: • produced in workplace • originates from lab supply house • intended solely for lab use • product and/or chemical identifier • “Hazardous Laboratory Sample” statement which includes an emergency phone number

MSDS Contents • Hazardous Ingredients • Product Information • Preparation Information • Physical Data • Fire & Explosion Hazard • Reactivity Data • Toxicological Properties • Preventative Measures • First Aid Measures

Hazardous Ingredients • Chemical Identity • Concentration • CAS Number • PIN Number • LD 50 Species and Route • LC 50 Species and Route

Product Information • Product Identifier • Manufacturer’s/Supplier’s Name and Address • Emergency Telephone Number • Product Use

Preparation Information • Prepared by (Group, Department, etc. ) • Phone Number • Date of Preparation

Physical Data • Odor Threshold • Physical State • Vapor Pressure • Odor & Appearance • Coefficient of Water/Oil Distribution • Specific Gravity (Water=1) • Boiling Point (o. C) and Freezing Point (o. C) • Vapor Density (Air=1) • Evaporation Rate (Butyl Acetate=1) • p. H • Percent Volatile (by volume)

Fire & Explosion Hazard • Conditions of Flammability • Means of Extinction • Sensitivity to Mechanical Impact • Sensitivity to Static Discharge • Flashpoint (o. C) and Method • Upper and Lower Flammable Limits (%) • Auto ignition Temperature (o. C) • Hazardous Combustion Products

Class A Fires • Are fires fueled by materials that, when they burn, leave a residue in the form of ash • Paper, wood, cloth, rubber, and certain plastics • Extinguisher type: Water, Dry Chemical

Class B Fires • Fires which involve flammable liquids and gases • Gasoline, paint thinner, grease, propane, acetylene • Extinguisher type: Carbon Dioxide, Dry Chemical

Class C Fires • Fires that involve energized electrical wiring or equipment (motors, computers, electrical panels). Note once the power has been cut, a Class CF fire becomes one of the other classes • Extinguisher type: Carbon Dioxide, Dry Chemical

Class D Fires • Class D fires involve exotic metals, such as magnesium, sodium, titanium, and certain organometallic compounds such as alkyllithium and Grignard reagents

Reactivity Data • Stability • Incompatible Materials • Conditions of Reactivity • Hazardous Decomposition Products

Toxicological Properties • Irritancy to Product • Routes of Entry • Effects of Acute Exposure • Exposure Limits • Evidence of Carcinogenicity, Reproductive Toxicity, Teratogenicity or Mutagenicity • Synergistic Products • Sensitivity to Product • Effects of Chronic Exposure

Preventative Measures • Personal Protective Equipment • Engineering Controls • Spill and Leak Procedures • Waste Disposal • Handling Procedures and Equipment • Storage Requirements • Special Shipping Information

When a Spill Strikes • 1) Assess the risk – Minor Spill, handled by personnel within lab or department – Major Spill, isolate area, Declare a Code Brown, HAZMAT Team required – Provide HAZMAT Team with MSDS for spilled material, quantity spilled

When a Spill Strikes • 2) Select personal protective equipment – consult MSDS and other literature sources • 3) Confine the spill – Speed Counts – Limit the spill area by blocking, diverting, or confining spill – Use absorbents, tiger tails, drain plugs, dikes

When a Spill Strikes • 4) Stop the Source • 5) Evaluate the Incident & Implement Clean-up – Used absorbents should be considered hazardous waste

When a Spill Strikes • 6) Decontaminate – Decontaminate site, personnel, & equipment by removing or neutralizing the hazardous materials • 7) Complete Incident Report

First Aid Measures • Inhalation • Ingestion • Eye Contact • Skin Contact

Additional Information • MSDS’s Must be Readily Available • 3 Year Expiry Date • New Information becomes Available

MSDS Standardization • International Organization for Standardization (ISO) • American National Standards Institute (ANSI) • International Labor Organization (ILO) • European Union (EU)

Canadian Acceptance Conditions • Meets CPR Information Requirements • Includes Statement: “ This product has been classified according to the hazard criteria of the CPR and the MSDS contains all the information required by the CPR”.

WHMIS II • Proposed Modifications and/or Changes to Current WHMIS laws • Exempt categories may be required to follow labeling and MSDS requirements, such as Consumer Products, Explosives, and Pest Control Products • No official changes to WHMIS laws have occurred

Worker Education • Generic • Site Specific • Annual Review

Occupational Hygiene

Routes of Entry • Inhalation • Skin Absorption • Injection • Ingestion

Physical Forms • Dust • Mist • Fume • Vapor • Gas

Action of Toxins • Acute Effects • Chronic Effects • Latency Period of Disease • Sensitizers

Dose-Response Relationship • Effect is Directly Related to Dose • No Effect Level

Basis for Exposure Standards • Chemical Analogy • Animal Experimentation • Human Epidemiological Data

Occupational Exposure Standards • Guidelines • ACGIH, Occupational Health and Safety Act • Threshold Limit Value (TLV) • Short-term Exposure Limit (STEL) • Ceiling

Methods of Control • Engineering Controls • Administrative Controls • Personal Protective Equipment

Engineering Controls • Elimination • Substitution • Local Exhaust Ventilation • General Ventilation • Isolation • Preventative Maintenance

Personal Protective Equipment • Respirators, Gloves, Eye Protection, etc. • The Human Factor • Training Essential

Emergency Planning • Moral Reasons - Good Corporate Citizen • Legal Reasons - Legislation/Court Action • Economic Reasons - $$$$

Objectives • Prevent Death & Injury • Reduce Damage to Plant and Equipment • Get Back to Business ASAP

Emergency Planning • Analysis • Procedures • Evacuation Plan • First Aid Treatment • Exercises and Drills

Inventory • Annual Update and Review Required • Feb 1 st Compliance Date

Duties and Responsibilities • Departmental Supervisor and/or Manager – Responsible for WHMIS System within Department – Provide Departmental WHMIS Trainer – Facilitate Training – Ensure Departmental Trainer fulfils their duties

Duties and Responsibilities • Departmental WHMIS Trainer – Departmental Inventory – Departmental WHMIS Training – Training Records – Ensure proper labeling is used – Maintain Departmental WHMIS Manual

Duties and Responsibilities • Campus Safety Officer – Riverside/Civic Campuses: • Murray Hyatt, 798 -5555 x 3336 – General Campus: • Paul A. Cyr, 737 -8415 – WHMIS Train-the-Trainer – WHMIS Manual

Duties and Responsibilities • WHMIS Clerk, Civic Campus – Jeff Watkin, ext. 3955 – Material Safety Data Sheets – Hospital WHMIS Inventory

Duties and Responsibilities • JHSC – Annual Review of WHMIS System