Workplace Hazardous Materials

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Workplace Hazardous Materials
Information System
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What is WHMIS?

• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information
  System.
• This system provides workers and employers
  nationwide with vital information about hazardous
  materials.
• It has been in effect since October 31, 1988.
• It was developed through a combined initiative
  involving labor, industry, and federal/provincial/
  territorial governments.

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"Approximately one in four
Canadian workers are exposed
to chemical or biological
hazards on the job."
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• It satisfies the employees legislated right to
  know about the hazards they may encounter during
  the course of work.
• WHMIS protects the health and safety of
  employees by reducing the occurrences of injury
  or illness caused by hazardous materials in the
  workplace.
• WHMIS legislation applies to controlled
  products, which are used, stored and handled at
  any workplace.
• A controlled product is any hazardous substance
  or material, which meets or exceeds the criteria
  foe inclusion in one or more of the WHMIS hazard
  classes.

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Classes of WHMIS
controlled products . . .
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Not Classified as Controlled Products

• Explosives
• Radioactive Materials

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Not Classified as Controlled Products

• Domestic Goods
• Cosmetics

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Not Classified as Controlled Products

• Food Food Additives
• Drugs Diagnostic Chemicals

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Not Classified as Controlled Products

• Pesticides
• Hazardous Waste

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Classes of WHMIS
controlled products . . .
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Class A
Compressed Gas This class includes compressed
gases, dissolved gases and gases liquefied by
compression or refrigeration.

• Heat may cause the container to explode, it
  should be stored away from heat or potential
  sources of ignition.
• A drop or impact may cause this container to
  explode, so handle with care.
• EXAMPLES Cylinders of acetylene, oxygen,
  nitrogen, hydrogen, helium, neon, chlorine,
  ammonia, and fire extinguishers.

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Class B
Flammable and Combustible Material Solids,
liquids, gases capable of catching fire or
exploding in the presence of a source of ignition.

• This material is a potential fire hazard.
  Sparks, flame or friction could ignite it.
• May burst into flames spontaneously in air or
  release a flammable gas on contact with water, It
  may burn at relatively low temperatures.
• Never smoke when working with or near these
  materials. Store in a cool, fire-proof area.
• EXAMPLES hydrogen, methane, propane, kerosene,
  diesel fuel, white phosphorus, magnesium, sodium,
  and butane

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Class C
Oxidizing Material Materials that provide oxygen
or similar substance and which increase the risk
of fire if they come in contact with flammable or
combustible materials.

• This material is a fire or explosion risk near
  flammable or combustible material.
• Keep the material away from sources of ignition
  and never smoke when working with or near the
  material.
• May burn skin or eyes on contact.
• EXAMPLES sulphuric acid, hydrogen peroxide,
  chlorine and hypochlorites (AKA Javex)?

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Class D
Division 1
Poisonous and Infectious Material
Immediate and serous toxic effects This division
covers materials which can cause death of a
person to small amounts.

• Handle the material with extreme caution, it may
  be fatal or cause permanent damage if it in
  inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through the skin.
• May burn skin or eyes. Wash and shower thoroughly
  after using.
• Avoid inhaling by working in well-ventilated
  areas and/or wearing respiratory equipment.
• EXAMPLES sodium cyanide, hydrogen sulphide.

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Class D
Division 2
Poisonous and Infectious Material
Other toxic effects this division covers
materials which cause immediate eye and skin
irritation as well as those which can cause
long-term effects in a person repeatedly exposed
to small amounts.

• This material is poisonous but not immediately
  dangerous to health, death or permanent damage
  result from repeated exposure over time.
• May be a skin irritant, a sensitizer causing
  allergic reactions, cause cancer, cause birth
  defects or sterility.
• Avoid skin and eye contact along with inhalation
  while working with these products by wearing the
  proper protective equipment.
• EXAMPLES acetone, asbestos and toluene
  diisocyanate.

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Class D
Division 3
Poisonous and Infectious Material
Biohazardous/Infectious Material this division
applies to materials which contain harmful
microorganisms.

• May cause a serious disease resulting in illness
  or death. Take every measure to avoid
  contamination.
• Handle the material only when fully protected by
  the proper, designed equipment.
• Store in designated areas only.
• EXAMPLES cultures or diagnostic specimens
  containing salmonella bacteria or the hepatitis B
  virus.

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Class E
Corrosive Material acid or caustic materials
which can destroy the skin or eat through metals.

• Causes severe eye and skin irritation upon
  contact and will cause severe tissue damage with
  prolonged contact.
• May be harmful if inhaled. Avoid inhaling by
  using well-ventilated areas only and/or wearing
  the proper respiratory equipment.
• EXAMPLES sulphuric acid, sodium hydroxide,
  hydrofluoric acid, some household cleaners,
  water treatment chemicals, ammonia and hydrogen
  chloride.

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Class F
Dangerously Reactive Material products which can
undergo dangerous reaction if subjected to heat,
pressure, shock, or allowed to contact water.

• The material is very unstable, undergoes
  vigorous polymerization.
• May react with water to release toxic or
  flammable gas
• Open containers carefully, do not drop.
• Store material in designated cool, flameproof
  areas.
• EXAMPLES calcium carbonate, benzoyl peroxide,
  copper and mercury azides