Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System WHMIS Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

WHMIS Information system started in 1988 to help students/employees know more about safety and health hazards at work and provide warnings about the possible hazards of using a product and the necessary safety precautions to take when using it. WHMIS is present wherever chemicals are used Helps explain special labels, symbols, and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

WHMIS labels Alerts workers/students as how to handle the chemical Important to read WHMIS label before using chemical Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) gives more detailed information

WHMIS labels include: Name of chemical (common names, trade name, brand name, code name) Whmis hazard symbol Risks and precautions First aid instructions Supplies name and address Reference to MSDS so you can find more information about chemical

Class A: compressed gas Kept under pressure – dropped or hard impact may cause to explode Heat may cause to explode Chlorine, nitrogen, neon, argon, oxygen, hydrogen, helium – usually found in steel cylinders (ex. Fire extinguishers) *Students do not need to copy RED

Class B: Flammable and combustible materials Potential fire hazard- may burn at low temperatures; Sparks, flames or frictions could cause to ignite; Store in cool, fire-proof areas 6 divisions: Div. 1: Flammable Gases – hydrogen, methane, propane Div. 2: Flammable Liquids – gasoline, ethanol, methanol Div. 3: Combustible Liquids – diesel fuel, kerosene Div. 4: Flammable Solids – magnesium, sodium Div. 5: Flammable Aerosols – most aerosol cans Div. 6: Flammable Reactive materials – materials that could spontaneously ignite *Students do not need to copy RED

Class C: Oxidizing Materials Fire or explosion risk – may burn skin or eyes on contact May not burn itself, but will release oxygen and help others to burn Keep away from source of ignition, NO SMOKING Wear proper equipment Sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine and bleach

Class D: Poisonous and infectious materials Potentially fatal if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through skin, may burn skin or eyes on contact Division 1: Can kill you fast Division 2: poisonous but not immediate death Division 3: bio-hazardous (anthrax, Aids, fungi, mold)

Class E: Corrosive Material Can eat through skin or corrode metals – sulfuric acids, nitric acid Also includes corrosive gases – ammonia, hydrogen chloride *Students do not need to copy RED

Class F: Dangerously Reactive Material Products that undergo dangerous reactions when heated, put under pressure, shock or contact with water Copper, mercury *Students do not need to copy RED

International Hazard Symbols not all symbols controlled by WHMIS Poison Flammable Explosive Corrosive Danger Warning Caution