WHMIS

Canada has laws that specify what information needs to be made available to employees who need to work with hazardous materials. – W - workplace – H - hazardous – M - materials – I - information – S – system

Purpose of WHMIS The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is Canada's national hazard communication standard. The key elements of the system are cautionary labeling of containers of WHMIS "controlled products", the provision of material safety data sheets (MSDSs) and worker education and training programs.

WHMIS WHMIS creates responsibilities for suppliers, employers, and workers

Supplier Responsibilities Classify products that are sold or distributed Label products with supplier labels Provide MSDS for controlled products

Employer Responsibilities Ensure WHMIS Labels are used Ensure MSDS are up to date (<3year) Give workers access to MSDS Train workers to use WHMIS

Worker Responsibilities Participate in training Use WHMIS information to safely handle products and protect themselves and coworkers Report missing information or violations to the employer

Right to Know As part of the 3 basic rights of the worker, you have the right to know what you are working with, what the hazards are, and how to protect yourself. Consult WHMIS labels, and MSDS for hazard information. If in doubt about the hazards of a particular material—ask your supervisor!

Internal Responsibility System (IRS) Multipartite Approach which promotes communication between employer, supervisor, worker and the Joint Health and Safety Committee. A system that “shares” Health and Safety responsibilities, as well as to strive to identify, measure and correct hazards in the workplace. Everyone is an “internal auditor” to ensure that we as a company/individuals comply with the Act and Regulations.

Controlled Products “Controlled products” is the name given to products, materials, and substances that are regulated by WHMIS legislation. All controlled products fall into one or more of six WHMIS classes.

Materials Not Covered by WHMIS Consumer Products Hazardous Waste Explosives

There are 6 WHMIS classes: (but Class D is broken into 3 categories) Symbol A – Compressed GasD2 – Materials Causing Other Toxic Effects B – Flammable and Combustible Material D3 – Biohazardous Infectious Material C – Oxidizing MaterialE – Corrosive Material D1 – Materials Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects F – Dangerously Reactive Material

SYMBOLS

WHMIS Classifications Class A- Compressed Gas Contents under high pressure May explode if heated, struck, or dropped Examples: nitrogen, compressed air Precautions: Chained upright Valve closed Valve cap on

WHMIS Classifications Class B- Flammable & Combustible May catch fire if exposed to a source of ignition, heat, or friction May burn at relatively low temperatures Examples: IPA, ethanol, gasoline Precautions: Keep away from heat and flame Store in a cool, dry place Ground and bond containers

WHMIS Classifications Class C- Oxidizing Materials May cause a fire when it comes in contact with flammable or combustible materials Intensifies a fire Can cause a violent reaction Examples: oxygen, chlorine Precautions: Keep away from flammables and combustibles. Store in a cool, dry place

WHMIS Classifications Class D – Poisonous and Infectious Materials May be fatal or cause permanent damage if it enters the body Examples: Carbon monoxide, certain APIs Precautions: Do not inhale or ingest Wear proper PPE D1 Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects

WHMIS Classifications Class D – Poisonous and Infectious Materials May cause death or permanent damage as a result of repeated exposure over time May be a skin or eye irritant May be a sensitizer, which produces a chemical allergy May cause cancer, birth defects or sterility Examples: asbestos, certain APIs Precautions: Do not inhale or ingest Wear proper PPE D2 Other toxic effects

WHMIS Classifications Class D – Poisonous and Infectious Materials May cause serious disease resulting in death or illness Examples: HIV virus, waste from medical depts & micro laboratories Precautions: Dispose in properly labelled container. Store in designated area. Wear proper PPE. D3 Biohazardous Infectious Material

WHMIS Classifications Class E- Corrosive Materials May cause severe damage to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract Examples: hydrochloric acid, Surface Kleen Precautions: Wear goggles, gloves, respiratory protection & Label properly.

WHMIS Classifications Class F- Dangerously Reactive Highly unstable May react violently when shaken, heated, or struck May react with water to release toxic gases May explode as a result of shock, friction or change in temperature Examples: sodium metal, nitroglycerin Precautions: store in a cool, dry place away from other chemicals

Labels If you encounter a product without a label: Do not use the product! Inform your supervisor that a label is missing If you transfer a material from its original container, you must put a workplace label on the new container There are 6 WHMIS classes, but 8 WHMIS symbols (Class D is broken up into three categories) NC means “not controlled” by WHMIS

Labels cont’d Supplier labels contain more detailed information (7 elements) Hazard symbol Precautionary measures Reference to MSDS Supplier identifier First aid measures Risk phrases Product identifier Workplace labels require only 3 elements: Product identifier Precautionary measures Reference to MSDS

Supplier Label

Workplace Labels Workplace Labels are required when a material is: – Produced in the workplace – Transferred from the original container into another container – Missing the original supplier label, or the original supplier label is no longer legible

Workplace Label Product identifier Refers to MSDS WHMIS symbols

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a document that contains information on the potential hazards and how to work safely with the chemical product. MSDS provide us with chemical properties, hazards, and emergency procedures MSDSs are prepared by the supplier or manufacturer of the material. It is intended to tell what the hazards of the product are, how to use the product safely, what to expect if the recommendations are not followed, what to do if accidents occur, how to recognize symptoms of overexposure, and what to do if such incidents occur

MSDS They must contain at least 9 categories: 1. Hazardous ingredients 2. Preparation information 3. Product information 4. Physical data 5. Fire or explosion hazards 6. Reactivity data 7. Toxicological properties 8. Preventative measures 9. First aid measures

MSDS There can be up to 16 categories on a MSDS: 1.Product and Company Identification 2.Composition/Information on Ingredients 3.Hazards Identification 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.Ecological Information 13.Disposal Considerations 14.Transport Information 15.Regulatory Information 16.Other Information

MSDS

Under WHMIS law, an MSDS for a controlled product must not be more than three years old. If you are still using a product that you bought more than three years ago, you may not have a current MSDS. Contact the manufacturer or supplier again and ask for a newer version of the MSDS. The three-year time limit does not apply to MSDSs for non- controlled products (i.e. products that do not meet WHMIS criteria).

Health Effects of Chemicals on the Body Irritation Nausea, headache, fatigue Difficulty breathing Burns Cancer

Health Terms Acute – short term, immediate Chronic – long term, prolonged Latency period – the time between exposure to the chemical and its effects (disease/illness)

Routes of Entry Inhalation Absorption Ingestion Injection (Puncture)

Summary WHMIS applies to controlled products in the workplace It is a program made up of 3 parts: labels, MSDS, education Workers Responsibility – Participate in training – Use WHMIS information to protect themselves and others – Report missing information or violations to the employer

Summary Know where to get labels and MSDS in your area Only work with labeled products If in doubt about the hazards of a particular material--ASK!