WHMIS "The Right to Know" An overview presentation of the WHMIS program. Left click the mouseTo advance: Left Click “Slide Show”then “View Show” To start: To go back: Right click the mouse then “Previous” To quit:Esc

WHMIS – THE RIGHT TO KNOW Many hazardous materials are found in industry today. Exposures to these materials can result in harm or death. Workers using these materials have the "right to know" what these materials are, how they can be harmed by them and what they can do to protect their health and safety The WHMIS program was introduced to provide workers with this information Introduction

WHMIS – BASIC AWARNENESS An optional "test" is available for those wishing to demonstrate their knowledge of these basic concepts. A certificate identifying the participant, score and date is also available to document knowledge of the basic WHMIS fundamentals This presentation has been designed to provide the participant with a BASIC OVERVIEW of the WHMIS program. It provides an "awareness" of the types of information that is legally required in the workplace. This presentation is NOT designed to replace the employer's responsibility for providing proper instruction on ALL hazardous materials found in the workplace.

WHMIS WORKPLACE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INFORMATION SYSTEM

WHMIS INFORMATION SYSTEM Dealing with HAZARDOUS MATERIALS Used in the WORKPLACE An

WHMIS -TOPICS Effects Routes of Entry Employer Responsibilities Labels Classes History 3 Groups Training Terms MSDS Controls

WHMIS -HISTORY An NZ sheep farmer accidentally drank a selenium solution that damaged his internal organs Sean Kells Mark Smith Later while spraying pesticides, Mark used a respirator with the wrong cartridges and damaged his lungs As a 19-year old student, Sean was working at a factory pouring flammable materials from one container to another. A spark set off an explosion and Sean was burned to 90% of his body. He died the following day. Over the years many people have been killed or seriously injured as a result of exposure to hazardous materials. A couple of examples are:

WHMIS -EFFECTS Acute effects are those that are felt immediately after a large exposure to a hazardous material Latency Period Acute Hazardous materials are those that can they can have harmful effects on the human body. These effects can be: The latency period is the time between exposure and when the harmful effects are felt. The latency period could be months or years Chronic Chronic effects are those that are felt after a long-term exposure to low levels of a hazardous material

WHMIS -ROUTES OF ENTRY Through the nose or mouth Examples are fumes or vapours breathed in Absorption Inhalation Hazardous materials can enter the body in a number of ways. These "routes of entry" are: Ingestion Direct penetration of the skin Examples are needles and slivers Through the mouth Examples are materials accidentally eaten or drunk Through the skin Examples are solvents used to wash hands Injection

WHMIS -3 GROUPS Labour Government Employees handling hazardous materials have the "right to know" what they are handling and how it can harm them. 3 groups got together and implemented the WHMIS program so that employees could receive this information. These 3 groups were: Industry

WHMIS -3 COMPONENTS 2. MSDS 1. Labels There are 3 main components of the WHMIS program. 3 ways in which information is provided to users of hazardous materials 3. Training

WHMIS -LABELS Workplace Label Supplier Label Under the WHMIS program containers of hazardous materials are to have a proper label. There are two types of labels:

WHMIS -SUPPLIER Supplier Label Supplier labels are to be on containers of WHMIS-controlled products brought into the workplace. They are to have: 1. The name of the product 2. Risk phrases 3. Precautionary measures 4. First aid measures 5. Appropriate hazard symbols 6. Reference to MSDS 7. The name of the supplier 8. A dashed border

WHMIS -WORKPLACE Workplace Label Workplace labels are required on containers into which WHMIS- controlled products have been poured. They are to have: 1. The name of the product 2. Handling instructions 3. Reference to MSDS

WHMIS – MSDS Material A valid Material Safety Data Sheet is required for each WHMIS-controlled product in the workplace. The MSDS provides additional information on hazardous materials and is normally provided by the supplier of the product. An MSDS is required to have the following categories (not necessarily the exact words or order shown): 1. Product Identification 2. Hazardous Ingredients 4. First aid measures 5. Preventive Measures 6. Fire or Explosion Hazards 7. Toxicological Properties 8. Reactivity Data Safety Data Sheet 9. Preparation Information 3 yearsAn MSDS is valid for: 3. Chemical & Physical Data

WHMIS – SYMBOLS Class Compressed Gas Contents are under pressure and may explode. Do not drop Keep away from sources of ignition Symbol Hazard Precautions A ExamplesOxygen Propane

WHMIS – SYMBOLS Class Flammable and Combustible Contents may burn Keep away from sources of ignition Symbol Hazard Precautions B Examples Propane Gasoline

WHMIS – SYMBOLS Class Oxidizer (provides oxygen for burning) Contents pose a fire or explosion risk Keep away from sources of ignition Symbol Hazard Precautions C ExampleOxygen

WHMIS – SYMBOLS Class Immediate and serious toxic effects Contents are potentially fatal Handle with extreme caution Symbol Hazard Precautions D 1 Examples Arsenic (used in pressure treating lumber)

WHMIS – SYMBOLS Class Other toxic effects Contents are not immediately dangerous to health but may cause illness after repeated exposure Use proper protective equipment Symbol Hazard Precautions D 2 Example Fiberglass insulation

WHMIS – SYMBOLS Class Biohazardous Material Contents may cause serious disease or illness Avoid contamination Use proper protective equipment Symbol Hazard Precautions D 3 Anthrax (used for tanning)Examples

WHMIS – SYMBOLS Class Corrosive Contents may cause severe eye and skin damage Avoid contact Use proper protective equipment Symbol Hazard Precautions E Examples Battery acid (acid) Cleaning agent (base)

WHMIS – SYMBOLS Class Dangerously Reactive Contents are very unstable and may explode Keep away from sources of ignition Store in proper location Symbol Hazard Precautions F Examples Nitroglycerine

WHMIS – TERMS The measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a material Range is 0 to 14 Less than 7 are acids Greater than 7 are bases The closer to 0 or 14 the more corrosive the material LD 50 : LC 50 : pH: The Lethal Dose of a material that when fed to test animals causes 50% of them to die (the lower the number, the more toxic the material) The Lethal Concentration of a material in the air when breathed by test animals causes 50% of them to die (the lower the number, the more toxic the material) The following are terms that may be found on an MSDS

WHMIS – TERMS Specific Gravity: If less than 1, indicates that a liquid will float on water If greater than 1, indicates that a liquid sinks in water The following are terms that may be found on an MSDS Vapour Density: If less than 1, indicates that a vapour will rise in air If greater than 1, indicates that a vapour sinks in air TLV: The Threshold Limit Value Sets maximum concentrations of contaminants in air For 8-hour day or 40-hour work week

WHMIS – TERMS Flash Point: The lowest temperature at which flammable vapours will burst into flame with a source of ignition The following are terms that may be found on an MSDS Auto Ignition Temperature: Boiling Point: The lowest temperature at which flammable vapours will spontaneously burst into flame The highest temperature at which a liquid will turn into a solid The lowest temperature at which a liquid will turn into a vapour Freezing Point:

WHMIS – TRAINING The information contained on WHMIS labels Workers who use hazardous materials or who may be exposed to them are to receive training so that they understand: Proper procedures for storing, handling and using hazardous materials Emergency procedures in the event of spills or escapes of hazardous materials The information contained on an MSDS Generic concepts as well as specific information on the particular hazardous materials used in the workplace

WHMIS – EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES Prepare an Inventory of all hazardous materials in the workplace (in conjunction with the Joint Health & Safety Committee) Under the Occupational Health & Safety Act, the employer has certain responsibilities. Some of these are: Not allow hazardous materials to be used unless: -they are properly labeled -there is a valid MSDS -worker training has taken place Ensure that all hazardous materials are properly labeled Ensure that there is a valid MSDS for all hazardous materials

WHMIS – CONTROLS At the Source: Elimination of the material if it is not required Substitution with a less hazardous material (if available) Most effective form of control Controls are required to reduce the amount of exposure of hazardous materials to employees. There are 3 main types of controls: Along the Path: At the Worker: Often involves the use of ventilation to reduce exposure May result in others being exposed Less effective than at the source Involves the use of Personal Protective Equipment (gloves, goggles, respirators, etc.) May interfere with worker comfort Least effective form of control