WHMIS Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

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WHMISWorkplace Hazardous Materials Information
System

• City of Langley
• OHS Training Program

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What is WHMIS?Workplace Hazardous Materials
Information System

• Workplace
• Deals only with products in the workplace
• Hazardous Materials
• Dangerous products that may cause fires,
  explosions, or health problems
• Information System
• Provides information about hazardous materials

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Hazardous Materials

• Hazardous Materials are called
• Controlled Products
• Hazardous Materials can result in
• Irritation of eyes, sensitization of skin or
  lungs, heart ailments, kidney and lung damage or
  cancer.
• Hazardous Materials can cause
• Fires, explosions or other accidents when
  improperly stored or handled.

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3 Basic Elements of WHMIS

• Labels
• Labels on controlled products alert workers to
  the identity of the product, hazards, and
  precautionary measures of a controlled product.
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
• Provides detailed hazard and precautionary
  information and first aid measures of a
  controlled product.
• Education and Training
• Workers need to know how WHMIS works, the hazards
  of controlled products in their workplace, and
  the safe work procedures they must follow.

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Classification

• Hazardous Materials (controlled products) are
  products that falls into one or more hazard
  classification.
• There are 8 hazard symbols that describe this
  classification.

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Class A COMPRESSED GAS

• Products under pressure
• Hazard
• These may explode if exposed to heat or physical
  shock (when dropped).
• Example
• Butane, propane, acetylene, and fire
  extinguishers.

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Class B Flammable/Combustible Materials

• Substances capable of catching fire or exploding
• Flammable Gases, Liquids, Solids, Aerosols,
  Combustible liquids, Reactive Flammable Materials
• Hazard
• Capable of catching fire in the presence of a
  spark or open flame
• Example
• Acetone, isopropyl alcohol, stoddart solvent,
  hydrogen gas, gasoline, kerosene, magnesium
  alloys, propane

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Class C Oxidizing Material

• Products causing / contributing to the combustion
  of other materials
• Hazard
• These materials increase the risk of fire if they
  come in contact with flammable or combustible
  materials.
• Example
• Compressed oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, potassium
  nitrate

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Class D (3 symbols)Poisonous and Infectious
Material

• Division 1 Materials Causing Immediate and
  Serious Toxic Effects
• Hazard Can cause death or immediate injury
• Example sodium cyanide, hydrogen sulphide
• Division 2 Materials Causing Other Toxic Effects
• Hazard Can cause life-threatening and serious
  long-term health effects
• Example asbestos, isocyanates, xyle
• Division 3 Biohazardous Infectious Materials
• Hazard These materials contain harmful
  micro-organisms
• Example hepatitis B virus, cultures containing
  salmonella bacteria

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Class ECorrosive Material

• Caustic and acid materials
• Hazard
• These materials can destroy the skin and eat
  through metals.
• Examples
• Sodium hygroxide, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid

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Class FDangerously Reactive Material

• Products may self-react dangerously
• Hazard
• Products may explode when exposed to physical
  shock (dropped) or to increased pressure or
  temperature (heat), or they may emit toxic gases
  when exposed to water.
• Example
• Plastic monomers such as butadiene some
  cyanides, benzoyl peroxide, chlorine dioxide.

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WHMIS Element 1 Labels
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WHIMS LABELSThere are 2 types of WHIMIS Labels

• 1. SUPPLIER LABELS
• Contain the following
• Product name
• Hazard symbol
• Risk phrases
• Precautionary measures
• First aid measures
• Supplier identifier
• Reference to MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)

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WHIMS LABELSThere are 2 types of WHIMIS Labels

• 2. WORKPLACE LABLES
• Apply to (very important)
• Secondary containers
• Containers of products received in bulk
• Employer-produced products
• Containers with missing or illegible supplier
  labels
• Contain the following
• Product name
• Safe handling procedures
• Reference to the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)

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Other means of identification

• Warning signs
• Color / number coding systems
• Symbols
• For Identifying
• Piping systems, reaction vessels, tank cars,
  conveyor belts carrying a controlled product

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WHMIS Element 2 MSDS (Material Safety Data
Sheet)
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MSDS(Material Safety Data Sheet)

• A Material Safety Data Sheet is a technical
  bulletin that provides specific hazard
  information, safe handling information, and
  emergency procedures for a controlled product.
• The MSDSs must not be more than 3 years old.
• MSDSs should be stored in a binder close to
  where controlled products are kept.
• If you are unsure about a product or its use ..
  look at the MSDS before handling.

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The 9 Information Components Included on an MSDS

• Product Information
• Ids the product, manufacturer, and supplier and
  it describes the intended product use, and
  manufacturer/supplier contact information in case
  of emergency.
• Hazardous Ingredients
• List the specific chemical names, percentages,
  and acute toxicity data.
• Physical Data
• General information on physical and chemical
  properties (gravity, boiling point, evaporation
  rate).
• Fire and Explosion Hazard
• Lists conditions under which the product may
  catch fire or explode, as well as information for
  developing strategies and procedures to deal with
  fire and explosion hazards.

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The 9 Information Components Included on an MSDS

• Reactivity Data
• Lists conditions and other substances that should
  be avoided to prevent reactions.
• Toxicology Properties
• Identifies how the substance enters the body and
  what the short and long term health effects are.
• Preventive Measures
• Information on control measures including
  ventilation, personal protective equipment, and
  work procedures.
• First Aid Measures
• Specific instructions for immediate treatment in
  case of injury or illness
• Preparation Information
• List who prepared the MSDS and when.

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Example MSDS
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WHMIS Element 3 Education Training
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WHIMIS PROGRAM

• Assign Responsibilities
• Manager, Supervisor, employees, OHS committee
• Establish inventory of controlled products
• Meet MSDS/label requirements
• Determine hazards of controlled products

• Establish workplace controls
• Establish emergency procedures
• Provide training for
• Workers who work with controlled products
• Workers who work in proximity to controlled
  products
• Evaluate WHMIS program

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Education Training

• WHMIS education must be provided on
• Major hazards of controlled products in use at
  the workplace.
• Rights and Responsibilities
• Employers must train workers in
• Specific procedures
• For the safe use, storage, handling disposal of
  a controlled product
• To follow in case of an escape of a controlled
  product
• To follow in an emergency involving a controlled
  product
• Safe use, storage, handling and disposal of a
  controlled product in transit.

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Questions to Ask Yourself

• Do you know the hazardous products in your
  workplace?
• If no, look at your workplace MSDS Binder
• Do you know where the MSDS is at your workplace?
  
• If no, ask your supervisor to show you.
• Do you know where the Hazard Report Forms are if
  you need to report an unsafe condition,
  equipment, or practice?
• If no, ask your supervisor to show you.
• Do you know you have the right to refuse unsafe
  work?
• Please ensure your take the WHMIS Review Test and
  submit to your supervisor.
• (Doc. 89112) (this is an open book test)