Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

Reasons for WHMIS Designed after the US model called the “Right to Know” law. Conveys knowledge of hazardous chemicals to workers who use them in their jobs. Designed to reduce injuries and time lost due to exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Workplace Education

Supplier Responsibilities Classify and label supplied materials Provide current MSDS Provide source for data on toxicity of a material

Employer Responsibilities Labels MSDSTraining

Employer Responsibilities Make sure MSDS is up-to- date Add new information Have MSDS available Make sure workers understand Have MSDS information available for medical personnel

Employee Education Program Assign ownership Set up check system Make sure copy of program is available Schedule employees for training Set up training records Review program once per year

Employee Testing Procedures Give employees a written test Conduct a hands-on demonstration Set up a mock emergency and test the response

Hazardous Chemicals

Some Hazardous Chemicals… Undercoats & Topcoats Hardeners Buffing Compounds Cleaners Solvents Body fillers Welding gases Adhesives

Employee Responsibilities Know and understand labels Follow label directions Follow safe-use procedures Know MSDS information Know emergency procedures Avoid removing or defacing labels Inform employer of missing information Wear required equipment Help develop safety plan

Overexposure Effects Acute Exposure Burns Dizziness Nausea Coughing Chronic Exposure Nerve Damage Lung Scarring

Hazardous Materials Categories Irritants Corrosives Toxins Poisons Carcinogens Chemicals that cause cancer Allergenics Chemicals that cause an allergic reaction

Lung Irritants Chemicals that affect the: Lungs and nasal passages Skin Eyes

Irritant Reaction Itching Burning Rashes Found in: Epoxy repair materials, plastic bonding adhesives, undercoatings, cleaners, hardeners and reducers, body fillers

Corrosive Materials Can cause skin burns and respiratory problems Are found in many cleaning products and metal preparation materials Are either highly acidic or highly alkaline Examples include: Paint strippers, prep solvents, wire wheel cleaners, sulphuric acid in batteries, oxalic acid, full-strength degreasers

Nervous System Effects Dizziness Headaches Nausea Blurred vision Poor coordination

Toxins Toxins can be broken down into: Mild neurotoxins Liver toxins Reproductive toxins Blood toxins

Mild Toxins Mild neurotoxins cause central nervous system depression and destroy nerve endings. The effects of this condition are similar to drinking too much alcohol. Effects include: Dizziness, headaches, nausea, blurred vision, poor coordination

Liver Toxin Exposure Exposure to liver toxins comes from breathing vapors while:

Liver Toxin Chemicals Examples include: Toluene, xylene, butyl acetate, lead chromates, nickel compounds, methylene chloride. Found in some: Urethane enamels Adhesives

Reproductive Toxins May cause birth defects Birth defects can vary from minor to severe Materials that may contain reproductive toxins include: Products containing toluene Gasoline Products containing lead compounds Acrylic lacquers Urethane enamels

Blood Toxins Destroy or deform red blood cells Red blood cells carry oxygen through the blood stream. Destroying or deforming red blood cells reduces the amount of oxygen being carried through the blood stream Overexposure may cause difficult breathing or loss of consciousness Materials that may contain blood toxins include: Some aerosol cleaners and enamel clear coats

Carcinogens Examples of carcinogenic materials include:

Allergens May cause people to react to certain chemicals. Normally do not cause a reaction when first exposed. The reaction starts with the second exposure. Each person will have a different reaction to different materials. Some materials contain chemicals that are more likely to cause reactions than others.

Examples of allergens Acrylic sealers Adhesives Sealers Epoxy resins Clear coats Hardeners Activators

Routes of Entry Breathing Swallowing Absorption through skin Injection through skin

Breathing Hazardous Materials Most common way of entering the body. Starts when products being mixed, poured, or used, give off vapors or dust particles. Causes them to collect in the lungs and be absorbed into the blood stream. Can be prevented by wearing a proper respirator.

Ingesting Hazardous Chemicals Swallowing is the second most common way hazardous materials enter the body. Ingestion can occur by: Not washing before eating. Eating or drinking in an area where hazardous materials are used. Biting fingernails. Touching the mouth while coughing or sneezing. Smoking after handling hazardous materials.

Absorption Through Skin Hazardous materials can be absorbed through the skin. Skin is porous, like a sponge.

Absorption Through Skin Absorption occurs by: Skin contact, such as picking up a solvent-soaked cloth. Washing hands with gasoline or other solvent. Floor cleaning materials splashing into shoes. Always wear protective equipment such as: Gloves Aprons Boots

Absorption Through Eyes Hazardous materials can also enter eyes through exposure to hazardous: Vapors Dust Spills Wear safety goggles to help prevent eye exposure.

Injection in Skin Hazardous material can enter the body through injection. This can be caused by a material: Entering through a broken cut or a skin rash. Being forced through the skin by air tools or cleaning equipment. Prevent injection by: Covering and protecting open cuts or sores. Following recommended safety procedures when working with tools and cleaning equipment.

Review Question #1 Technician A says that lethal exposure to hazardous materials can occur from biting fingernails or not washing before eating. Technician B says that lethal exposure can occur from breathing the vapors or dust of a hazardous material. Who is right? A. Technician A only B. Technician B only C. Both Technician A and Technician B D. Neither Technician A or Technician B

Review Question #2 Hazardous materials can enter the body by: A. Swallowing the material B. Absorbing the material through the skin C. Injecting the material into the skin D. All of the above

Product Labels All materials in the workplace are required to have a label. Labels are an important source of information that may include: The name of the material Part number

Product Labels (Cont’d) Possible hazards when using the material Hazard symbols A statement that the MSDS is available How to safely handle the material Suggestions for first aid treatment The manufacturer’s name, address, and emergency telephone number The intended use of the product

Minimum Label Requirements Labels for hazardous materials are required to provide: A product identifier or name. Hazard warnings. A statement that the MSDS is available.

What If There Is No Label? Do not handle the product. Determine the nature of the material from the shop manager. Place a label on the container once the material has been identified.

Hazard Symbols Hazard symbols on product labels are in picture form so they can be read in any language. The symbols show an immediate hazard warning about the contents of the container. Examples are: Cylinder Flame Skull and crossbones inside a circle Hand being corroded by a chemical

Compressed Gasses White cylinder on a green background

Flammable and Combustible Flame on a red background

Oxidizing Material Flame over a circle on a yellow background

Immediate Toxic Effects Causes immediate and serious (acute) toxic effects Skull and crossbones on a white background

Other Toxic Effects Causes other toxic effects. Letter ‘T’ with a dot below it.

Biohazardous Materials Four overlapping circles.

Corrosive Materials Hand and piece of material being corroded by a liquid.

Dangerously Reactive Materials Letter ‘R’ with a test tube in the middle.

Risk Phrases Examples of risk phrases: Explosive Flammable Lung irritant Causes burns May cause birth defects Reacts violently with water May cause cancer

Personal Protection Symbols Some workplace labels include personal protection symbols that can be checked.

Material Safety Data Sheets

Label vs. MSDS MSDS: More detailed Overexposure effects Detailed steps to avoid overexposure Emergency information

Employer-Written MSDS

MSDS Includes: Product information Hazardous ingredients Physical data Fire and explosion hazards Reactivity data Health hazard data Preventive measures First aid measures MSDS preparation information

Product Identification

Hazardous Ingredients

Physical Data

Fire & Explosion Data

Fire Extinguishers A – Ordinary combustibles B - Flammable liquids C - Electrical fires D - Combustible metals

Reactivity Data

Health Hazard Data

Exposure Limits Must be comfortable Know your physical limits Maintain equipment Know signs of respirator failure Store properly

Preventive Measures

First Aid Measures

MSDS Preparation Information