Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System WHMIS Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System                                          

Your passport to safety!

Why is WHMIS important? It is a universal system of symbols, labels and MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) used to identify and warn people of dangerous materials used in the workplace here in Canada.

Labels: Information given includes: Name of the chemical The WHMIS symbol The risks and precautions The name and address of the supplier. A reference to the attached MSDS

How is WHMIS different than HHPS? (Hazardous Household Product Symbol) -was developed for people buying and using product around the home.

MSDS Material Safety Data Sheets Must be provided with all chemicals. Indicates information about the possible hazards.

Corrosive Material Compressed Glass Flammable and Combustible material Oxidizing Material Poisonous and Infectious Material Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects Poisonous and Infectious Material Causing other toxic effects Biohazardous Infectious Material Corrosive Material Dangerously Reactive Material

WHMIS: The Categories Categories Definition Examples A    Compressed Glass Product is under pressure. (Dangerous as it may leak, explode, rocket, or cause frostbite) Oxygen and propane B    Flammable and Combustible Material        Product is combustible or flammable (Flammable means that the material will burn or catch on fire easily at normal temperatures (below 37.8 degrees C or 100 deg F). Combustible materials must usually be heated before they will catch on fire at temperatures above normal (between 37.8 and 93.3 deg C or 100 and 200 deg F). Propane Acetone Kerosene Magnesium Sodium

Categories Definition Examples C    Oxidizing Material May cause or help the combustion of another material by providing more oxygen to the fire. Hydrogen peroxide Nitric acid sodium chloride D1  Poisonous and Infectious Material Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects Serious health effects such as burns, loss of consciousness, coma or death within just minutes or hours. carbon monoxide l

Categories Definition Examples D2  Poisonous and Infectious Material Causing other toxic effects Their effects are not always quick, or if the effects are immediate, they are only temporary. May cause cancer, allergies, harm to baby etc..… sensitization which has resulted from small exposures over a long period of time (chronic effects). asbestos fibers mercury lead D3  Biohazardous Infectious Material *Living organisms. * the toxins can cause disease in people or animals AIDS/HIV Hepatitis B

Categories Definition Examples E    Corrosive Materials can cause severe burns to skin and other human tissues and can eat away at clothes and other materials including metal * Ammonia gas * Hydrochloric acid * Javex * Chlorine F  Dangerously Reactive Material *dangerous to your health and safety *conditions (pressure, temperature, shock, violent reaction with water or air. Florine

Complete the sheet on WHMIS in the classroom.