Download WHMIS The Workplace Hazardous Materials

WHMIS
The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
AEE Training Program
2008
Course Outline
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Discuss:
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WHMIS Regulations
WHMIS Labeling System
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)
Hazardous Chemical Inventory needs
Employee Information and Training requirements
Obtaining Site-Specific WHMIS Information
WHMIS Controlled Product Symbols – Interactive
Exercise (slide 33)
Quiz
Chemical Hazards

Exposure to hazardous chemicals can be a
problem. If you are not careful, chemicals may
cause serious health problems such as
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Organ damage
Cancer
Burns and rashes
Birth defects
The purpose of WHMIS system is to help
preventing exposure to toxic chemicals via
education, administrative & engineering controls,
and PPE (to reduce health hazards and accidents)
Introduction
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What is WHMIS and What Does it Do?
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The Workplace Hazardous Materials
Information System (WHMIS) was established
to give employee information about the
hazardous materials produced, handled, stored,
used or disposed of in the work place
The aim of WHMIS is to reduce chemicalrelated accidents and health hazards
Elements of WHMIS
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There are three elements to WHMIS:
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1. Labels: All hazardous materials must display
labels that clearly identify risks and recommend
precautions that you should take for safe
handling
2. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs): An
MSDS must be provided for every hazardous
material in your workplace.
3. Worker Education: Employer must train you
how to interpret and use the information that is
provided for your benefit on labels and MSDSs.
WHMIS Applicability
WHMIS applies to workplace health
and safety only
 It does NOT regulate:
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Transportation of Dangerous Goods
 Hazardous Products that used at Home
 The Effects of Hazardous Materials on
the Environment
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Who Supplies the Information?
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Under WHMIS both Suppliers and Employers are
responsible for providing hazard and safe handling
information.
The Supplier must:
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Label hazardous material
Provide MSDS
The Employer must:
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Ensure that MSDSs are current and readily available
Ensure that hazardous materials are correctly labeled
Train and educate employees to handle hazardous
materials safely
WHMIS Training
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Anyone planning to work with any controlled or
restricted product must be trained in WHMIS
before starting this work
Employees should be trained right after the
employment as a part of new employee safety
orientation and before they start working with
controlled or restricted products
Refreshers should be conducted when new
chemicals are introduced or at least every three
years
WHMIS Legislation
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The Hazardous Product Act - HPA (federal)
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The Controlled Product Regulations - CPR
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Requires suppliers of hazardous materials to
provide supplier labels and MSDSs
Issued pursuant to the Hazardous Products Act
– contain details on labels, MSDSs, conditions,
exemptions, definitions
The Ingredient Disclosure List - IDL
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Contains the names of chemicals that must be
identified on the MSDS if they are present in a
controlled product in prescribed amounts
WHMIS Legislation (cont.)
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The Hazardous Materials Information
Review Act and Appeal Board Regulations
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Establish a commission to rule on claims and
appeals related to exemptions
Provincial and Territorial WHMIS
Workplace Regulations
 The Canada Labor Code and the Canada
Occupational Safety and Health Regulations
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Establish requirements for WHMIS in federally
regulated workplaces
WHMIS Legislation (cont.)
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Each of the thirteen provincial, territorial and
federal agencies responsible for occupational
safety and health have established employer
WHMIS requirements within their respective
jurisdiction. These requirements require employers
to ensure that
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Controlled products are properly labeled,
MSDSs are made available to workers, and
Workers receive education and training to ensure the safe
storage, handling and use of controlled products in the
workplace
What is a Hazardous Product Under WHMIS?
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Prohibited Products
Restricted Products
Controlled Products
Prohibited Products
Include toys equipment and clothing that
might be harmful to children. Other
products would be hazardous to workers if
they were used in the workplace (certain
products that contain asbestos fibers).
 Prohibited products may not be advertised,
sold or imported into Canada.
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Restricted Products
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Include hazardous materials packaged
for consumer use (Consumer
Chemicals). Restricted products may
be imported, sold and advertised in
Canada, but only in accordance with
the regulations
Controlled Products
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These are the products and substances that
are covered by WHMIS:
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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
If material is controlled it will be labeled
 There are 8 WHMIS hazard symbols
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Class A – Compressed Gas
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Any material that is normally a gas which is placed
under pressure or chilled, and contained by a
cylinder is considered to be a compressed gas.
These materials are dangerous because they are
under pressure. If the cylinder is broken, the
container can 'rocket' or 'torpedo' at great
speeds and this is a danger to anyone standing too
close. If the cylinder is heated, the gas will
expand and the cylinder will explode. Leaking
cylinders are also a danger because the gas that
comes out is very cold and it may cause frostbite
if it touches skin.
Class A – Compressed Gas
Symbol No. 1
Examples: compressed air, aerosols, nitrogen,
carbon dioxide, propane, chlorine, hydrogen
Class B – Flammable and Combustible
Material
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Flammable means that the material will burn or
catch on fire easily at normal temperatures (below
37.8 degrees C or 100 deg F).
Combustible materials must usually be heated
before they will catch on fire at temperatures
above normal (between 37.8 and 93.3 deg C or 100
and 200 deg F).
Reactive flammable materials are those which
may suddenly start burning when it touches air or
water, or may react with air or water to make a
flammable gas.
Class B – Flammable and Combustible
Material
Symbol No. 2
Common examples include: propane,
butane, acetylene, ethanol, acetone,
turpentine, toluene, kerosene, Stoddard
solvent, spray paints and varnish.
Class C – Oxidizing Material
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Oxygen is necessary for a fire to occur. Some
chemicals can cause other materials to burn by
supplying oxygen. Oxidizers do not usually burn
themselves but they will either help the fire by
providing more oxygen or they may cause materials
that normally do not burn to suddenly catch on
fire (spontaneous combustion). In some cases, a
spark or flame (source of ignition) is not necessary
for the material to catch on fire but only the
presence of an oxidizer. Oxidizers can also be in
the form of gases (oxygen, ozone), liquids (nitric
acid, perchloric acid solutions) and solids
(potassium permanganate, sodium chlorite).
Class C – Oxidizing Material
Symbol No. 3
Examples: oxygen gas, hydrogen peroxide, bleach
Class D - Poisonous and Infectious
Material
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They are divided into three major
divisions
Class D-1 –Materials causing immediate
toxic effect
 Class D-2 – Materials causing other toxic
effects
 Class D-3 – Biohazardous materials
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Class D-1: Materials Causing Immediate and
Serious Toxic Effects
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Class D-1: Materials Causing Immediate and
Serious Toxic Effects
These are materials that are VERY poisonous and
immediately dangerous to life and health. Serious
health effects such as burns, loss of
consciousness, coma or death within just minutes
or hours after exposure are grouped in this
category. Most D-1 materials will also cause longer
term effects as well (those effects that are not
noticed for months or years).
Class D-1: Materials Causing Immediate and
Serious Toxic Effects
Symbol No. 4
Examples: hydrogen sulphide, strychnine, cyanide, nerve gas
Division 2: Materials Causing Other Toxic
Effects
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These materials are poisonous as well. Their
effects are not always quick, or if the effects are
immediate but they are only temporary. The
materials that do not have immediate effects,
however, may still have very serious consequences
such as cancer, allergies, reproductive problems,
or irritation / sensitization which have resulted
from small exposures over a long period of time
(chronic effects).
Class D-2: Materials Causing Other Toxic
Effects
Symbol No. 5
Examples: asbestos fibers, mercury, ammonia
Division 3: Biohazardous Infectious Materials
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These materials are organisms or the toxins they produce
that can cause diseases in people or animals. Included in this
division are bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Because
these organisms can live in body tissues or fluids (blood,
urine), the tissues and fluids are also treated as toxic.
Biohazardous infectious materials at AEE can be
encountered in the field and in bioassay laboratories.
Workers in these places do not usually know which tissues or
fluids contain dangerous organisms. For this reason, the
workers assume that every sample is dangerous and proper
protection is used all the time. Examples of biohazardous
infectious materials include the AIDS/HIV virus, Hepatitis
B and salmonella.
Class D-3: Biohazardous Infectious Materials
Symbol No. 6
Examples: materials contaminated with
bacteria or viruses (AIDS, Hepatitis,
salmonella, West Nile virus, SARS)
Class E - Corrosive Materials
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Corrosive is the name given to materials that can
cause severe burns to skin and other human
tissues such as the eye or lung, and can attack
clothes and other materials including metal.
Corrosives are grouped in this special class
because their effects are permanent (irritants
whose effects may be similar but temporary are
grouped in Class D-2). Common corrosives include
acids such as sulphuric and nitric acids, bases such
as ammonium hydroxide and caustic soda and other
materials such as ammonia gas, chlorine, and
nitrogen dioxide.
Class E – Corrosive Materials
Symbol No. 7
Examples: acids, caustic soda
Class F - Dangerously Reactive Materials
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A material is considered to be dangerously reactive if it
shows three different properties or abilities: first, if it can
react very strongly and quickly (called "vigorously") with
water to make a toxic gas; second, if it will react with itself
when it gets shocked (bumped or dropped) or if the
temperature or pressure increases; and thirdly, if it can
vigorously join to itself (polymerization), break down
(decomposition) or lose extra water such that it is a more
dense material (condensation). If a material is dangerously
reactive, it will most likely be described as "unstable". Most
of these materials can be extremely hazardous if they are
not handled properly because they can react in such a quick
manner very easily. Examples of these products are ethyl
acrylate, vinyl chloride, ethylene oxide, picric acid and
anhydrous aluminum chloride.
Class F – Dangerously Reactive Materials
Symbol No. 8
Examples: fiberglass repair kits, epoxy resins
Routes of Entry
 Toxic and infectious materials can only harm you if
they get into your body. The ways in which they can
enter are called the routes of entry and include:
 Skin or eye absorption
 Inhalation
 Ingestion, and
 Injection
 Remember: Exposure controls, such as ventilation
or PPE, must be used to create a barrier between
you and a toxic material. Be sure to follow
recommendations on the MSDS; please ask your
safety & health coordinator for the assistance
Labels
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Under WHMIS all controlled products should be
labeled. The purpose of label is to:
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Identify product as controlled
Indicate the nature of the risk (e.g., flammable, corrosive,
toxic)
Provide some safe handling instructions
Remember: the amount of information that the
label can provide is limited by its size. The MSDS
will always provide more comprehensive safe
handling information than the label.
Types of Labels Under WHMIS
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There are three types of WHMIS
labels:
Supplier Labels
 Workplace Labels
 Other Means of Identification
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The Supplier Label
You can recognize a
supplier labels by
its unique broken
border.
It is also bilingual.
The Supplier Label
There are 7 items of information that the supplier
must put on the label of a controlled product
1. The name of the product, which can be any one
of the chemical name, common name, generic name
or trade name.
2. The name of the supplier.
3. Hazard symbol(s). In general, the label should
include a hazard symbol for each WHMIS class
that the controlled product falls into.
4. Risk Phrases (i.e., “irritating to eyes”)
The Supplier Label
5.
6.
Precautionary measures, which are short statements
describing the precautions to be taken when handling a
controlled product. Examples of precautionary measures
include:
 wear face protection,
 avoid prolonged contact with skin,
 keep container dry.
The exact wording of the precautionary measures is up to
the supplier.
First aid measures, which are short statements describing
the immediate steps to be taken, either by the victim or by
co-workers, when an accident with a controlled product has
occurred. The statements should be specific to the
product. First aid measures do not include additional steps
to be taken only by a medical professional.
The Supplier Label
7.
A reference to a material safety data sheet,
which is a statement alerting the user of the
controlled product that more information is
available. Examples include:
See Material Safety Data Sheet, or
Consult Material Safety Data Sheet.
The Supplier Labels
Small Quantities ( < 100 ml)
 For small quantities of a controlled product,
labeling requirements are less stringent. Only four
of the items are required:
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Product Identifier
Hazard Symbols
Supplier Identifier
Reference to the MSDS
The hatched border is not necessary.
The Workplace Label
Remember, under WHMIS, you should never
have a controlled product that is not
labeled.
 As long as the controlled product remains in
its original container, with a supplier label
on it, no additional labeling is required.
 Sometimes, however, you will want to put
the controlled product into another
container for use in the workplace. Now you
must use a workplace label.
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The Workplace Label
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A workplace label is a label that the employer produces, for
use in the employer's workplace only, and that contains the
following information:
 the identity of the product;
 information for the safe handling of the product; and
 a statement that a material safety data sheet is
available.
These requirements for the workplace label are very general,
unlike the federal requirements for the supplier label, which
are very specific. The workplace label does not require a
border, hazard symbols or specific wording.
The Workplace Label
Product Identifier
Safe Handling Instructions
1. Instruction
2. Instruction
3. Instruction
The Workplace Label Example
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METHANOL
FLAMMABLE—DO NOT USE NEAR AN OPEN
FLAME OR PROCESSES THAT GENERATE
SPARKS
AVOID INHALING VAPOURS
READ THE MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
BEFORE USING THIS COMPOUND
The Workplace Label
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Examples of when you MUST use a
workplace label
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If you transfer a controlled product from its
original container into another container. This is
called “decanting”
If you transfer a controlled product that is
stored in bulk into another container
If the supplier label is illegible, damaged or lost,
you must replace it with a workplace label or
supplier label
The Workplace Label - Exemptions
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There are two cases when a workplace label may
NOT be required when you decant a controlled
product:
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If the controlled product is for immediate use, and
If the controlled product is under the control of the
person who decanted it and is to be used all on that shift
Please note: some local jurisdictions might still
require a label in the above example. Please either
check you local regs or provide a simple label with
the chemical name only!
Other Means of Identification
Pipelines and Reaction Vessels (contact your
manager or SHE Director if this is
applicable to you)
 Laboratory Samples
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Samples of controlled products that are
undergoing testing in a laboratory must be
clearly identified by a name or number
If the sample to be analyzed is to be sent offsite, then you must apply a “Hazardous Lab
Sample Label”
Material Safety Data Sheets
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A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a document that
contains information on the potential hazards (health, fire,
reactivity and environmental) and how to work safely with the
chemical product. It is an essential starting point for the
development of a complete health and safety program. It also
contains information on the use, storage, handling and
emergency procedures all related to the hazards of the
material. The MSDS contains much more information about
the material than the label. MSDSs are prepared by the
supplier or manufacturer of the material. It is intended to
tell what the hazards of the product are, how to use the
product safely, what to expect if the recommendations are
not followed, what to do if accidents occur, how to recognize
symptoms of overexposure, and what to do if such incidents
occur.
Material Safety Data Sheets
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In Canada, every material that is controlled
by WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous
Materials Information System) must have
an accompanying MSDS that is specific to
each individual product or material (both
the product name and supplier on the MSDS
must match the material in use).
What information is on the MSDS?
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There are nine (9) categories of information that must be present on
an MSDS in Canada. These categories are specified in the Controlled
Products Regulations and include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
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Product Information: product identifier (name), manufacturer and
suppliers names, addresses, and emergency phone numbers
Hazardous Ingredients
Physical Data
Fire or Explosion Hazard Data
Reactivity Data: information on the chemical instability of a product and
the substances it may react with
Toxicological Properties: health effects
Preventive Measures
First Aid Measures
Preparation Information: who is responsible for preparation and date of
preparation of MSDS
The Controlled Products Regulations prescribes what information
must be present in more detail.
Are MSDSs using the 16-heading format acceptable in
Canada?
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Yes, as long as two conditions are met.
First, all the required information specified under Column III
of Schedule I of the Controlled Products Regulations (CPR)
must be addressed. All headings and subheadings that are on
the MSDS must be addressed by providing the required
information or by stating that the information is not available
or not applicable, whichever is appropriate.
Second, the statement "This product has been classified in
accordance with the hazard criteria of the CPR and the
MSDS contains all of the information required by the CPR"
must appear under the section heading "Regulatory
Information".
Is all the information I need on the MSDS?
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Not necessarily. A lot of health hazard information,
for example, is written in general terms. Your
health and safety manager, registered occupational
hygienist or certified industrial hygienist should be
able to help you find more information if needed.
When would I use an MSDS?
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Always be familiar with the hazards of a product
BEFORE you start using it. You should look at a
MSDS, match the name of the chemical on your
container to the one on the MSDS, know the
hazards, understand safe handling and storage
instructions, as well as understand what to do in an
emergency.
NEVER start using a new product before receiving
chemical-specific training on this product.
Please make sure that this online training is
supplemented by chemical-specific training for
all chemicals that you use!
MSDS Information
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Traditionally the intended readers of MSDSs were
occupational hygienists and safety professionals. Now the
audience also includes employers, workers, supervisors,
nurses, doctors, emergency responders. To ensure that MSDS
users can quickly find the information that they need, the
information should be in an easy-to-read format and written
in a clear, precise and understandable manner.
For most people who work with controlled products, there are
some sections that are more important than others.
You should always read the name of the chemical, know
the hazards, understand safe handling and storage
instructions, as well as understand what to do in an
emergency.
Can an MSDS be too old?
Yes. Under WHMIS law, an MSDS for a controlled
product must not be more than three years old. If
you are still using a product that you bought more
than three years ago, you may not have a current
MSDS. Contact the manufacturer or supplier again
and ask for a newer version of the MSDS.
 The three-year time limit does not apply to MSDSs
for non-controlled products (i.e. products that do
not meet WHMIS criteria).
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As an employer, do I have responsibilities for
MSDSs?
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Yes. Employers must make sure that all controlled products
have an up-to-date (less than three years old) MSDS when it
enters the workplace. The MSDSs must be readily available to
the workers who are exposed to the controlled product and to
the health and safety committee or representative. If a
controlled product is made in the workplace, the employer has
a duty to prepare an MSDS for any of these products.
Employers may computerize the MSDS information as long as
all employees have access to and are trained on how to use
the computer, the computers are kept in working order, and
that the employer makes a hard copy of the MSDS available
to the employee or safety and health
committee/representative upon request.
Questions You May have About the MSDS’s
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Who is responsible for preparing the MSDS?
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Where Do I Find the MSDS?
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The Supplier.
Each Office or Lab dealing with controlled products should
have a file of MSDS;s for all the controlled products that
are handled in the workplace. YOU SHOULD NOT
HANDLE A CONTROLLED PRODUCT IF YOU DON’T
HAVE AN MSDS.
What should I do if the MSDS is more than 3 years
old?
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Bring it to the attention of your SHE coordinator or
supervisor.
Questions You May have About the MSDS’s

How do I find the MSDS if the container has no
label?
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Remember! You should not use a product that is not
labeled. Talk to your supervisor and SHE Coordinator.
What if I don’t understand the information on the
MSDS?
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Ask you supervisor, SHE Coordinator, industrial hygienist
or SHE Director. The information that you don’t
understand could mean the difference between a healthy
life and a chronic health condition!
Laboratories
WHMIS has special applications
related to laboratories
 If you work in a chemical laboratory,
please review the following chapter:


http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/legisl/whmi
s_laboratories.html
Construction Projects
Responsibilities of Constructor (Prime Contractor)
1.
2.
3.
4.
To ensure that all controlled products on the project are
labeled.
To maintain and make available to workers, copies of all
MSDSs received from contractors and subcontractors at
the project.
To train own workers about WHMIS and about the
controlled products that the prime contractor brings on
site.
To resolve any WHMIS-related conflicts among
contractors and sub-contractors on site.
Construction Projects
Responsibilities of Subcontractors
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
To ensure that any controlled product brought on site is labeled.
To maintain and make available to workers, MSDSs for controlled
products brought on site.
To give the prim contractor copies of all MSDSs for controlled
products brought on site.
To train own workers about WHMIS, and about the controlled
products that they use on site.
To inform other contractors, sub-contractors and workers who
may be affected by the controlled products that they brought on
site.
To inform the prime contractor of WHMIS-related conflicts
among contractors or sub-contractors on the project.
Construction Projects Carried Out in
Operating Workplace
1.
2.
3.
4.
The client should give the constructor copies of MSDSs for
any controlled products in the client's workplace that the
constructor's workers may be exposed to.
The constructor should ensure that all controlled products
brought into the client's workplace by the constructor are
labeled.
The constructor should give the client copies of MSDSs for
all controlled products that the constructor brings into the
client's workplace.
The constructor must train his/her own workers respecting
the controlled products used on the construction project,
and the controlled products likely to be encountered in the
client's workplace.
Chemical-Specific Training

Please make sure that this online
training is supplemented by
chemical-specific training for all
chemicals that you use!
WHMIS Quiz
Please proceed to your WHMIS Quiz at AEE Online
Training Site
The password for the WHMIS quiz is
AEEWHMIS