1. Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
WHMIS
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
                                         

2. Your passport to safety!

3. 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.

4. 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

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

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Complete the sheet on WHMIS in the classroom.