Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System WHMIS Update

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)  WHMIS became legislated in October 31, 1988  Developed jointly by labour, industry, federal, provincial and territorial governments  A Canada-wide system designed to give employers and workers information about hazardous materials in the workplace  Applies to hazardous materials known as controlled products: (Class A, B, C, D, E and F)

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Ontario Regulation 860 Purpose  To provide information on hazardous materials used in the workplace  To facilitate the process of hazard identification in the workplace  To ensure consistency of hazard information in all Canadian workplaces

Exemptions from WHMIS The provincial WHMIS legislation does not apply to federal workplaces such as banks, post offices and airports. Canada Labour Code and Canada Occupational Safety and Health Regulations implement WHMIS in federal workplaces. Products under the Federal Acts:  Pest Control Products Act  Food and Drugs Act  Canadian Nuclear Safety Commissions Act  Explosives Act

Responsibilities Regarding Hazardous Materials Employer  Workplace inventory (in consultation with JHSC)  Assessment on Designated Substances  Workplace labels  Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)  Worker education (in consultation with JHSC )

Responsibilities: Hazardous Materials Worker  Participate in Training  Apply knowledge  Recognize and report hazards to the supervisor

3 Main Components of WHMIS  Labeling Requirements  Supplier WHMIS label  Workplace Label  MSDS  Material Safety Data Sheets  Training  Employer  Worker

WHMIS Hazardous Symbols Class A Compressed Gas  Any material which is a gas at normal temperature (20 degrees) and pressure, but is packaged as pressurized gas, dissolved gas or gas liquefied by compression or refrigeration. E.g. oxygen, chlorine, acetylene, etc

Symbols Class B Flammable & Combustible Material  Will ignite and continued to burn in air if exposed to a source of ignition.  Gas, aerosol, liquid, solid  E.g. methane, acetone, etc.

Symbols Class C Oxidizing Material  May or may not burn but will release oxygen contributing to the combustion of other material  E.g. ozone, chlorine, nitrogen dioxide, etc.

Symbols Class D Poisonous & Infectious Material  Materials Causing Immediate Serious Toxic Effects E.g. styrene, hydrogen cyanide  Materials Causing Other Toxic Effects (carcinogen, irritant, sensitizer) E.g. ammonia, asbestos  Bio-hazardous Infectious Material a biohazard can be either a living organism or the chemical toxin that it produces that cause disease in humans E.g. Hepatits B

Symbols Class E Corrosive Material Can attack metals or cause permanent damage to human tissues May weaken structural containers E.g. ammonia, fluorine Class F Dangerously Reactive Material May react violently under conditions of shock or increases in temperature or pressure May react with water to create toxic gas E.g. ozone, benzoyl peroxide, vinyl chloride, picric acid and ethylene oxide

Supplier Labels Eight (8) pieces of information in English & French: a. Product Identifier (common/chemical name) b. Hazard Symbol(s) c. Risk Phrase(s) d. First Aid Measures e. Supplier Identifier (name, address, etc.) f. Reference to MSDS g. Precautionary Measures h. Border – must be distinctive & different from background of container

Supplier Label

Date received/Produced _________________ Material ______________________________ _____________________________________ Use Safety Glasses ___ Use Gloves __ Use only in fumehood __ Additional Precautions _________________________________ ____________________________________________________ First Aid ____________________________________________ See MSDS before use Researcher/Producer ____________________ ______________________________________ Workplace Labels Available in Scientific Store in ABB – No Charge

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS) Nine or more categories of information: (MSDS handout) Product Identification and Use The product identifier, use, manufacturer’s name, address, and the PIN number (product identification number). Hazardous Ingredients CAS or chemical abstract services, LD50 is lethal dosage which is commonly used for solids and liquids and is the weight of a substance which, if given all at once, is expected to cause the death of 50% of a test animal population, LC50 is lethal concentration, refers to the quantity of gases or vapours and is the concentration of a substance in air which administered over a specified period, is expected to cause the death of 50% of a test animal population.

MSDS (cont’d) Physical Data State of the product - gas, solid, liquid, the appearance, colour, odour threshold, vapour pressure, vapour density, evaporation rate, boiling point, freezing point pH, specific gravity, coefficient of water/oil distribution. Fire and Explosion Data Conditions under which material may be flammable (ignite and burn readily), means of extinction, explosion data (explode as a result of being dropped or subjected to impact), sensitivity to static discharge, safe handling methods, flash point, auto ignition temperature, Upper Explosive Limit/Lower Explosive Limit.

MSDS (cont’d) Reactivity Data Conditions under which the product is chemically unstable such as heating, burning, exposure to sunlight, will list the substance or class of substance with which the product is incompatible, or decomposition products.

MSDS (cont’d) Toxic Properties Explains the health effects which may result from over exposure, route of entry into the body, inhalation, absorption, ingestion, puncture/injection, acute or chronic, occupational exposure limits like TWA Time Weighted Average Values, Short Term Exposure Limits, Ceiling, evidence of carcinogen, sensitizing capabilities. Preventative Measures How to avoid potential hazards associated with exposure to the material, - controls, equipment and procedures (i.e. type of eye protection/hand/face), waste disposal, handling and storage procedures, shipping information.

MSDS (cont’d.) First Aid Measures Provides information on safe evacuation procedures and the immediate treatment of persons overexposed to the material. Preparation Data of MSDS Who prepared the MSDS, telephone number and date of MSDS. MSDS remain valid for 3 years from the date shown, unless new information becomes available before then, at which point the supplier must update the MSDS within 90 days.

MSDS Availability  Legally the supplier must provide label and MSDS  Binders in your work area (must be updated every three years or prior if new MSDS available)  EOHSS ext  Faculty of Health Science Safety Office ext  Websites:    MSDS must be readily accessible by law  Ask how your lab/studio/work area complies

Training Requirements  Job Hazard Analysis  Refer to safety training matrix found at:  6 mandatory health and safety training courses  Additional training courses may be required as directed by your supervisor  Documented site specific training on the hazards in your work area must be conducted by your supervisor

Risk Management Manual Risk Management Manuals can be found at Health & Safety Program, Working Alone Program, Lab Safety Program, Ergonomic Program, Hazardous Waste Management Program, Biological Safety Program, Laser Safety Program, Field Trips & Electives Planning and Approval Program, Fire Safety Program, etc. ● Approved by Senior Management

Questions?  Contact EOHSS at ext or the Faculty of Health Sciences Safety Office at ext  Safety Is No Accident