Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS 2015 )

What is WHMIS? WHMIS is a Canada wide communication system developed to provide employers and workers with information about hazardous products used in the workplace WHMIS was created … as a response to a workers “right to know” about both the safety and health hazards they might use at work to reduce injuries and illnesses associated with handling hazardous materials in the workplace WHMIS is a hazard communication system used in Canada to provide employers and their employee’s information about hazardous products they work with or near WHMIS legislation is a joint effort between a variety of stakeholders, including industry, and provincial and federal governments In Manitoba, the WHMIS requirements are set and enforced by the Workplace Safety and Health Regulations

Why a new WHMIS? As of 2015, WHMIS will be changing to integrate the globally harmonized system, known as GHS. This new version of WHMIS will be referred to as WHMIS 2015. The globally harmonized system is an internationally recognized system supported by the world health organization. (WHO) and is supposed to reduce trade barriers. As of 2015, WHMIS will be changing to integrate the globally harmonized system, known for short as GHS. This new version of WHMIS will be referred to as WHMIS 2015, and comes into effect under the federally legislated Hazardous Products Regulations. The globally harmonized system is an internationally recognized system supported by the world health organization. The purpose of this system is to create consistencies in the communication of chemical hazard information. There are many anticipated benefits with this approach. One such benefit is reducing the risk to workers. With having standardized hazard communication, workers will no longer have to worry with interpreting safety information that they aren’t familiar with, as it should be in one standard form. The costs associated with changing hazard communication so it can be delivered in an effective manner will also be removed, as companies will only need to focus on one standardized method. Finally, the globally harmonized system is anticipated to enhance international trade as the barriers regarding hazard information and different systems are consolidated into one method.

WHMIS 2015 vs. WHMIS 1988 WHMIS 2015 WHMIS 1988 Hazardous Products Regulations Controlled Products Regulations 32 Hazard Classes Multiple hazard categories 6 Hazard Classes 3 divisions Safety Data Sheet (SDS) 16 sections No need to review Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) 9 sections Review every 3 years Pictograms Red square on one of its points Symbols Black circle With the new hazard communication system, it is important to note that there will be a transition period between the original WHMIS, referred to as WHMIS 1988, and the new WHMIS 2015. This transition period is anticipated to be complete in 2018. Therefore, during this time, it is important to recognize the aspects of both systems, which are presented in the table. While this information will be covered in more detail later, it is important to note that under the hazardous products regulations, there will be a total of 32 hazard classes compared to the 6 hazard classes identified under the controlled products regulations. Material safety data sheets will be referred to as safety data sheets, or SDSs, under WHMIS 2015, and will consist of 16 parts. Finally, one of the largest changes will be the images. Under WHMIS 2015, pictograms which consist of an image communicating the associated hazard enclosed by a red square on one of its points will replace the original WHMIS 1988 hazard symbols, which were pictures representative of the hazard surrounded by a black circle.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Education WHMIS Components WHMIS is composed of 3 main elements to communicate the hazards of controlled products: Labels Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Education WHMIS consists of three main elements for effectively communicating the hazards associated with controlled products, with the first element being labels. Labels are required on containers of hazardous products, and serve as the first line of information regarding the hazards of a particular substance. The second element is the safety data sheets, which provide supplementary information to the hazards on the label, and often in greater detail The final element is providing proper education to those working with or near hazardous products on how to use the information from the labels and SDSs, in addition to training users on how to safely handle hazardous materials.

GHS Hazard Groups & Classes Physical Hazards Group: based on physical and chemical properties of a given product (flammable, oxidizing, reactive) Health Hazards Group: based on a products ability to result in a health related issue (toxicity, skin or eye irritant, carcinogens) WHMIS 2015 consists of two main hazard groups, with the first being the physical hazards group. Products in this group are defined by their physical and chemical properties, such as flammability, reactivity and corrosivity. The physical hazards group is comprised of 19 physical hazard classes. These classes are (list classes). The last class, Physical hazards not otherwise classified, is unique to Canada, and is a means of accounting for hazardous products with physical hazards that do not fit into the existing physical hazard classes. Environmental Hazards Group: based on a products ability to be harmful to the environment

GHS Pictograms Pictogram Graphic image Red square on one point Fast hazard assessment Labels and SDSs Red square on one point Symbol in the middle Represent hazard classes and categories Can represent multiple hazard classes/categories Symbol Pictograms for hazard communication are unique to GHS. Pictograms are a graphic image that allow users to conduct a fast hazard assessment prior to handling, using, or working near a hazardous material, as they will appear on both labels and SDSs. Pictograms consist of a distinctive red square set on one of its points with a symbol in the middle. Pictograms are assigned to specific hazard classes and categories. However, as there are more hazard classes and categories than there are pictograms, multiple hazard classes and categories can be defined by one pictogram.

GHS Pictograms Flame over circle Corrosion Gas cylinder Health hazard Skull & crossbones Corrosion Exclamation mark Exploding bomb Flame Shown here are the GHS pictograms as well as the name of each pictogram. The corrosion pictogram is for products that can cause corrosive damage to metals, skin, and eyes. The exclamation pictogram represents products that may cause less serious health effects or sustain damage to the ozone layer. The exploding bomb pictogram is for substances that are an explosion or reactivity hazard. The flame pictogram is for materials that pose a fire hazard. The flame over circle pictogram designates products with oxidizing hazards. The gas cylinder pictogram represents gases under pressure. The health hazard pictogram is for products that cause or are suspected to cause serious health effects. The skull and cross bones pictogram is for products that can result in death or toxicity when exposed to the product in short amounts or doses.

GHS Pictograms Unique to Canada Not being implemented in Canada Biohazardous infectious materials Not being implemented in Canada Environment May still appear on: Labels SDS Under the hazardous products regulations, the biohazardous infectious materials symbol from WHMIS 1988 will be retained, and this symbol will be unique to Canada. This symbol represents organism or toxins that can result in disease in people or animals. In Canada, the environment pictogram associated with the environmental hazards class will not be implemented. However, suppliers from outside of Canada may still use the environment pictogram on their labels and SDSs, therefore it is valuable to still recognize the pictogram.

Corrosion Physical hazard classes: Health hazard classes: Corrosive to metals – Category 1 Health hazard classes: Skin corrosion/irritation Skin corrosion – Category 1, 1A, 1B, 1C Serious eye damage/eye irritation Serious eye damage – Category 1 As previously mentioned, each pictogram is assigned to specific hazard classes and categories. For the corrosion pictogram, under the physical hazard classes, it is used to represent products that are corrosive to metals, in which there is only one category, category one. Under the health hazard classes, the corrosion pictogram can indicate products that can result in skin corrosion or irritation, whereby for skin corrosion there can be categories 1, 1a, 1b, and 1c.

Exclamation Mark Health hazard classes: Acute toxicity – Category 4 Skin corrosion/irritation Skin irritation – Category 2 Serious eye damage/eye irritation Eye irritation – Category 2 and 2A Respiratory or skin sensitization Skin sensitizer – Category 1, 1A, 1B Specific target organ toxicity Single exposure – Category 3 The exclamation mark pictogram is associated with a variety of health hazard classes, categories, and subcategories including [list].

Exploding Bomb Physical hazard classes Self-reactive substances and mixtures Types A and B Type B must always appear with flame pictogram Organic peroxides The exploding bomb pictogram is used for the following physical hazard classes and types [list]

Flame Physical hazard classes Flammable gases – Category 1 Flammable aerosols – Category 1 and 2 Flammable liquids – Category 1, 2, and 3 Flammable solids – Category 1 and 2 Pyrophoric liquids – Category 1 Pyrophoric solids – Category 1 Pyrophoric gases – Category 1 Self-heating substances and mixtures – Category 1 and 2 Substances and mixtures which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases – Category 1, 2, and 3 The flame pictogram is used for the following physical hazard classes, categories, and types [list]

Flame Over Circle Physical hazard classes Oxidizing gases – Category 1 Oxidizing liquids – Category 1, 2, and 3 Oxidizing solids – Category 1, 2, and 3 The flame over circle pictogram is indicative of the following physical hazard classes and their categories [list]

Gas Cylinder Physical hazard classes Gases under pressure Compressed gas, liquefied gas, refrigerated liquefied gas, dissolved gas The gas cylinder pictogram represents that following physical hazard classes [list]

Health Hazard Health hazard classes Respiratory or skin sensitization Respiratory sensitizer – Category 1, 1A, and 1B Germ cell mutagenicity – Category 1, 1A, 1B, and 2 Carcinogenicity – Category 1, 1A, 1B, and 2 Specific target organ toxicity Single exposure – Category 1 and 2 Repeated exposure – Category 1 and 2 Aspiration hazard – Category 1 The health hazard pictogram is associated with a variety of health hazard classes and their respective categories, including [list]

Skull and Crossbones Health hazard classes Acute toxicity Oral – Category 1, 2, and 3 Dermal – Category 1, 2, and 3 Inhalation – Category 1, 2, and 3 The skull and crossbones pictogram is used for the following health hazard classes and their categories

Biohazardous Infectious Material Health hazard classes Biohazardous infectious material – Category 1 The biohazardous infectious material symbol is used for the following health hazard class and category

Labels Labels are required on all hazardous products Suppliers and employers are both responsible for ensuring labels are affixed to hazardous products One of the main elements of WHMIS is labelling. Labels are required by law on all hazardous products. To ensure this requirement is met, labels are the responsibility of both the supplier and employer. As such, there are two types of labels that can be affixed to hazardous products. The first type of label is the supplier label. All hazardous products received from a supplier are required to have a supplier label, and you have the right to refuse receipt of hazardous products without a proper label. The second type of label is the workplace label. Workplace labels are commonly used when the supplier label is no longer on the original container or has become damaged, if the hazardous material has been transferred to a different container, or if a hazardous product is produced and in use in the workplace. A workplace label is not required when a product has been transferred to a new container with the intent of using the product in its entirety during one working shift, and is being handled by a competent worker.

Supplier Labels Product identifier Pictogram(s) Signal word Hazard statement English and French Shown is an example of a supplier label [list components of label] Precautionary statements Initial supplier identifier

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) All hazardous products must have a SDS Provide more detailed hazard information than labels Suppliers must supply a current SDS at the time of sale Suppliers must update the SDS when they become aware of any significant new data SDS updates are to be provided within 90 days Last date of update found at the end of SDS Employers are responsible for having an up-to-date SDS SDS must be accessible to all workers Store in a readily accessible area known to everyone May be computerized Referenced and understood before handling a hazardous product The final component of WHMIS 2015 is Safety Data Sheets, or SDSs. All products that are considered a hazardous product require an SDS The purpose of the SDS is to provide more detailed information regarding the hazards of a particular product in comparison to the label. At the time of purchase, a supplier is responsible for providing an up to date SDS. When new or significant data about a hazardous product becomes available, the supplier must update the SDS and provide the updated SDS to the consumer within 90 days. Information regarding when an SDS was last updated can be found in the last section of the SDS, allowing for employers to ensure they have the most recent SDS. In the workplace, SDSs must be accessible to all workers. This means storing them in a readily accessible place and informing workers of their location, or alternatively, a computerized SDS system can be used. Workers are also recommended to reference the SDS and understand its content prior to handling any hazardous products in the workplace.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Section Hazardous Products Regulations Heading 1 Identification 2 Hazard identification (including classification and label text) 3 Composition/information on ingredients 4 First-aid measures 5 Fire-fighting measures 6 Accidental release measures 7 Handling and storage 8 Exposure controls/personal protection 9 Physical and chemical properties 10 Stability and reactivity 11 Toxicological information 12-15 Ecological, transport and regulatory information, disposal considerations 16 Other information Headings are required, but information not mandatory The following sections and their respective headings are found on the SDS [list] SECTION 12 – ANIMATION

Education: Employer Responsibilities Employer responsibilities include: Ensure all hazardous products at their work site have GHS labels Provide access to SDS’s of hazardous products to employees and up date them as necessary Educate workers on how to read and recognize GHS labels and SDS’s Train workers on how to handle, use, and store hazardous products, and, if required, use personal protective equipment Develop safe work procedures (SWPs) Prepare SDS’s and labels as needed Under WHMIS, employers responsibilities include ensuring that the hazardous products at their work site have a GHS label Employers must also maintain the SDSs of hazardous products and ensure that they are readily accessible to all employees Worker education and training is to be facilitated by employers, whereby education consists of teaching employees how to read and recognize GHS labels and SDSs. For training, employers must teach workers how to handle, use, and store hazardous products. This training might also include developing safe work procedures for staff. As required, employers will also need to create labels and SDSs for employee access

Education: Employee Responsibilities Employee responsibilities include: Participating in education and training provided by the employer Following prescribed safe work procedures Identifying and controlling hazards The responsibilities of employees include participating in both the education and training provided by the employers. If employees are trained in safe work procedures for a given hazardous material, the employee is obligated to follow these prescribed procedures. The employee also has a responsibility while working to identify and mitigate any hazards in the workplace associated with hazardous products.

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