An Introduction to WHMIS The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

It’s the law! Provincial and Federal Nova Scotia WHMIS Regulation “No employer may allow the use, handling or storage of a Controlled Product in a workplace unless the product carries a label and a material safety data sheet which meet the requirements of the Act and the regulations and unless the worker has received the training and information required to carry out the work entrusted to them safely.”

WHMIS Main Elements Labels Material Safety Data Sheets Training Supplier Workplace Laboratory Material Safety Data Sheets Training Core Job specific

Responsibilities Supplier Provide supplier labels Provide Material Safety Data Sheets

Responsibilities Employer Ensure labels and MSDS are available Develop safe procedures for handling, storage and disposal (based on information from labels and MSDS) Train workers

Responsibilities Employee / Worker (YOU – the student) Learn to use WHMIS system Follow safe procedures and training Inform the employer of hazards

Supplier Labels Be on all containers received from a commercial supplier Have a dark hatch-mark border Different color from the rest of the container (usually) In English and French

Class A: Compressed Gas Gas inside cylinder is under pressure The cylinder may explode if heated or damaged Sudden release of high pressure gas streams may puncture skin Example: Compressed air Carbon dioxide

Class A: Compressed Gas

Class B: Flammable and Combustible Material The material is capable of catching fire in the presence of a spark or open flame under normal working conditions Example: Propane Acetone

Class B: Flammable and Combustible Material

Class C: Oxidizing Material Can cause other materials to burn or explode by providing oxygen May burn skin and eyes on contact Example : Nitric acid Potassium permangante

Class C: Oxidizing Material

Class D: Controlled Products Division 1 – Materials Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects Division 2 – Materials Causing Other Toxic Effects Division 3 – Biohazardous Infectious Materials

Class D: Division 1 – Materials Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects May cause immediate death or serious injury if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin Example: D1 – sulfuric acid D2 – asbestos fibres, mercury D3 – Aids/HIV virus, Hepatitis B

D1 Example

Class D: Division 2 – Materials Causing Other Toxic Effects May cause immediate death or serious injury if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin

D2 Example

Class D: Division 3 – Biohazardous Infectious Materials Contact with microbiological agents (ie. Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and their toxins) may cause illness or death

D3 Example

Class E: Corrosive Material Will burn eyes and skin on contact Will burn tissues of respiratory tract if inhaled Acid Neutral Alkaline  7  Example: Ammonia gas

Class E: Corrosive Material

Special Laboratory Rules If a controlled product / chemical is produced in the laboratory for evaluation, analysis, or testing purposes then while it is in the laboratory, it must be legibly identified. The teachers and students must understand the labeling system and can trace it back to an MSDS or information necessary to ensure safe use storage and handling.

Special Laboratory Rules continued… If a controlled product has been transferred from its original container to a second container (ie. a beaker), this container may be labelled with numbers, colors, or formula names as long as all those using them understand the identity system.

Material Safety Data Sheets MSDS Must be available to all workers in the workplace Must be kept up to date (less than 3 years old) Must be made available to doctor in the event of exposure

What is on an MSDS? Product Identification – name, company, phone # MSDS Preparation – date, preparer Ingredients – CAS #, OSHA PEL, ACGIH TLV Physical Properties – odour, colour, state

Fire and explosion data Product Reactivity Toxicological Information Preventative Measures First Aid Measures

Lab Rules With a partner, come up with at least 10 important lab rules

While in the Lab: Know the emergency escape route and alternate Know the emergency spill procedure Know the location of the first aid kit, eye wash station, shower, spill kits MSDS, and fire extinguisher

Identify EVERYTHING! No food, beverages, or application of cosmetics Report all injuries and accidents via SIP (insurance)