WHMISWorkplace Hazardous Materials Information System

WHMISAAE Safety Instructor TrainingInstructor: Date:Course Number:

Class Information• Where are the emergency exits?• What is the emergency number?• Where are the first aid kits?• Where is the muster point?• Breaks every 60 - 75 mins• Written test• Where is the coffee?• Where is the smoking area?• Cell phone use• Where are the washrooms?• Instructor/Student introductions.

Table of Contents

The following topics will be covered in this program:

1. History of WHMIS2. Statistics3. Legislation4. What is Industrial Hygiene5. Why WHMIS6. Why WHMIS Harmful Substance Routes of Entry 7. WHMIS System Overview8. WHMIS Symbols9. Supplier Label10. Workplace Label11. Other Labeling Systems12. Material Safety Data Sheet13. Worker Education14. Responsibilities of the Supplier, Employer, and Employee15. WHMIS In Your Workplace16. WHMIS at Home17. WHMIS Test18. MSDS19. Glossary of Terms

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System...

...is a legally binding, Canada-wide system designed to inform workers of the potential hazards related to the chemicals that may be

found at their workplace.

It affects suppliers, importers, distributors of potentially hazardous materials used at work sites, and employers and workers who use

those materials.

WHMIS became law in Alberta in March, 1989. It was developed by joint committees of employers, unions and government.

1. History of WHMIS

2. Statistics

From 1994 to 2003 approximately 1000 Alberta workers died from various workplaces causes. 1/3 of those 332 workers died from

exposure to harmful substances.

3. OH & S Act, Regulation and Code

In 1988, legislation requiring the implementation of the WHMIS system

came into effect. The system is based of the worker’s right to know what

hazardous materials they might come into contact with in the workplace. The legislation identified three groups that

have different responsibilities.

Alberta Human Resources and Employment

Alberta Provincial Government

Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation and Code

4. What is Industrial Hygiene?

Industrial Hygienists…

-Are specially trained to detect and measure harmful exposures in the workplace- Provide solutions to eliminate or control these hazards.

5. Why WHMIS?

- Provides a standardized way of communicating potential hazards associated with chemical substances in the workplace

- Ensures that workers across Canada all receive the same information and training regardless of location

6. Routes of Entry

Hazardous substances can enter the body by four routes:

Absorption: Substances can be absorbed into the body through the skin or through mucus membranes, such as the eyes or the inside of the mouth

Injection: High pressure air or fluid streams may puncture the skin. Substances may also enter through open wounds.

Inhalation: Hazardous dusts, mists, vapours, gases or fumes may be inhaled through the mouth and nose.

Ingestion: Swallowing a hazardous substance, either directly or due to eating in a dirty area or with contaminated hands.

7. WHMIS System Overview

Three main elements, provided by Employers and Suppliers, contribute to an Informed Worker.

Suppliers and Employers...

...must provide...

...MSDSs, Labels and Training

A Compressed Gas

B Flammable and Combustible Material

C Oxidizing Material

D Poisonous + Infectious Material1. Material causing immediate and serious toxic effects

2. Materials causing other toxic effects

3. Biohazardous infectious material

E Corrosive Material

F Dangerously Reactive Material

8. WHMIS Symbols - Overview

8. WHMIS Symbols - Details

CLASS A COMPRESSED GASThis class includes compressed gases, dissolved gases, and gases liquefied by compression or refrigeration. If the pressure in the container is greater than 40 psi, the gas is a Class A product. The cylinder may explode if exposed to heat or to physical shock (when dropped).Examples: oxygen and acetylene in cylinders for welding; propane

8. WHMIS Symbols - Details

CLASS B FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALThis class includes solids, liquids, and gases capable of catching fire in the presence of a spark or open flame under normal working conditions.Examples: butane, gasoline, kerosene, beryllium powder, propane, white phosphorous.

8. WHMIS Symbols - Details

CLASS C OXIDIZING MATERIALThese materials increase the risk of fire if they come in contact with flammable or combustible materials.Examples: perchloric acid, hydrogen peroxide, permanganates, compressed oxygen

8. WHMIS Symbols - Details

CLASS D POISONOUS AND INFECTIOUS MATERIAL DIVISION 1: MATERIALS CAUSING IMMEDIATE AND SERIOUS TOXIC EFFECTSThese materials can cause death or immediate injury when a person is exposed to small amounts.Examples: sodium cyanide, hydrogen sulphideDIVISION 2: MATERIALS CAUSING OTHER TOXIC EFFECTSThese materials can cause life-threatening and serious long-term health problems as well as less severe but immediate reactions in a person who is repeatedly exposed to small amounts. Health problems include immediate skin or eye irritation, allergic sensitization, cancer, serious impairment of specific body organs and systems, and reproductive problems.Examples: xylene, asbestos, isocyanates

Cont’d...

8. WHMIS Symbols - Details

CLASS D POISONOUS AND INFECTIOUS MATERIAL DIVISION 3: BIOHAZARDOUS INFECTIOUS MATERIALThese materials contain harmful micro-organismsthat have been classified into Risk Groups 2, 3,and 4 as determined by the World HealthOrganization (WHO) or the Medical ResearchCouncil of Canada.Examples: cultures or diagnostic specimens containing salmonella bacteria or the hepatitis B virus

8. WHMIS Symbols - Details

CLASS E CORROSIVE MATERIALThis class includes caustic and acid materials that can destroy the skin or eat through metals.Examples: sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid

8. WHMIS Symbols - Details

CLASS F DANGEROUSLY REACTIVE MATERIALThese products may self-react dangerously (forexample, they may explode) upon standing orwhen exposed to physical shock or to increased pressure or temperature, or they emit toxic gases when exposed to water.Examples: plastic monomers such as butadiene; some cyanides

9. Supplier Labels

There are 2 types of Supplier Labels; Small (under 100ml) and Large(over 100ml)

SMALL LABELS must display 4 pieces of information:

1. Product Name2. Name and address of Supplier3. A reference to the MSDS4. Hazard Symbols

9. Supplier Labels

LARGE LABELS must display 7 pieces of information:

1. Product Name2. Risk Phrases3. Precautionary Measures4. First Aid treatment5. A Reference to the MSDS6. Hazard Symbols7. Name and address of Supplier

10. Work Site Labels

Worksite Labels are labels supplied by the employer that can be used when:- Supplier labels are damaged- Products are transferred to a new container (decanted)- Products are manufactured on site

WORK SITE LABELS must display 3 pieces of information:

1. Product Name2. Precautionary Measures3. A Reference to the MSDS

11. Other Labelling Systems

HMIS LabelsBlank generic labels that can be modified for use as a Work Site Label.

1. Write Product Name2. Block out Hazard Symbols that

do not apply3. Block out PPE Symbols that

do not apply4. Add other relevant information

Other Labelling Systems (cont’d)

Decanted ProductsFor products used by a single worker during one shift only, the worker may simply write the product name on the container.

IdentifiersLabels on pipes, vessels or conveyors identifying the product within. These labels may be numbers or color codes.

12. MSDS – Material Safety Data Sheet

- Federal law requires that the Supplier provide a MSDS- Employers must make the MSDS accessible to Workers

MSDSs must display 9 pieces of information:

1. Product Identification and Use2. Hazardous Ingredients3. Physical Data4. Fire and Explosion Data5. Reactivity Data6. Toxicological Properties7. Preventative Measures8. First Aid Measures9. Preparation date of MSDS

13. Worker Education- Workers must have a general education on the WHMIS program- Workers must be educated on the specific hazards and procedures at their workplace. Training must be updated as new materials are brought to the workplace.

14. Site Specific Training MatrixControlled product 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

the content required to be on a supplier label and a work site label and the purpose and significance of the information on the label

the content required to be on a material safety data sheet and the purpose and significance of the information on the material safety data sheet

procedures for safely storing, using and  handling the controlled product

the procedures to be    followed if there are  fugitive emissions

the procedures to be   followed in case of an emergency involving the controlled product.

Additional required information.

Your employer

must provide

training on company specific handling

and storage procedures!

15. Responsibilities of Employers, Employees and Suppliers

Suppliers

Labels

· must create or obtain supplier labels for products· must apply labels to outgoing products

MSDS

· must create or obtain MSDS· must ensure information is current· must provide a copy to purchaser

Training

· no requirement

Employers

Labels

· must ensure products entering the workplace contain label

· must ensure label is not removed· must apply workplace labels where needed

MSDS

· must obtain a copy of the MSDS· must ensure it is readily available· must update information every 3 years

Training

· must provide training on the WHMIS system· must educate worker on specific product hazards and handling procedures

Workers

Labels

· must be able to understand information on a label· must inform a supervisor if a label has been removed or damaged· must follow directions

MSDS

· must be able to understand information on a MSDS

Training

· must learn the WHMIS system· must learn the specific work site hazards· follow safe handling procedures

16. WHMIS at Home

Some products may be classified under both the consumer products act or under WHMIS (the controlled products act). It depends on where they are destined for, home or work. Using products classified under the consumer products act is acceptable as long as they stay in their original packaging and container.

17. Material Safety Data Sheet

• Use the material safety data sheet to complete the activity in the book.

18. Glossary of Terms

19. Test

• Please complete the test.

Thank you for Attending!Please ensure you mail or scan to email the:

1. Test2. Course Evaluation3. Student Registration Sheet