WHMIS"The Right to Know"

This presentation will take you through the required WHMIS training. Please use your arrow keys to go to the next page.

BASIC AWARNENESS

A short WHMIS Test following this presentation must be completed to demonstrate your basic knowledge and understanding of these WHMIS concepts. The results of this test will be automatically sent back to the Outland head office and a Certificate of completion will be created for you.

This presentation has been designed to give you a Basic Overview of the WHMIS program. It provides an "awareness" of the types of information that is legally required in the workplace.

THE RIGHT TO KNOW

Introduction

Many hazardous materials are found in industry today. Exposures to these materials can result in harm or death.

Workers using these materials have the "right to know" what these materials are, how they can be harmed by them and what they can do to protect their health and safety.

The WHMIS program was introduced to provide workers with this information.

WHMISWhat Does it stand for?

WORKPLACEHAZARDOUSMATERIALSINFORMATIONSYSTEM

WHMISWhat is it?

INFORMATION SYSTEM

Dealing with:

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Used in the:

WORKPLACE

It is an:

HISTORY

Mark Smith: An NZ sheep farmer accidentally drank a selenium solution that damaged his internal organs.Later while spraying pesticides, Mark used a respirator with the wrong cartridges and damaged his lungs.

Sean Kells: As a 19-year old student, was working at a factory pouring flammable materials from one container to another. A spark set off an explosion and Sean burned 90% of his body. He died the following day.

Over the years many people have been killed or seriously injured as a result of exposure to hazardous materials. A couple of examples are:

EFFECTS

Acute: Acute effects are those that are felt immediately after a large exposure to a hazardous material.

Hazardous materials are those that can they can have harmful effects on the human body. These effects can be:

Latent: The latency period is the time between exposure and when the harmful effects are felt. The latency period could be months or years.

Chronic: Chronic effects are those that are felt after a long-term exposure to low levels of a hazardous material.

ROUTES OF ENTRY

Through the nose or mouth.Examples are fumes or vapours breathed in.

Absorption

Inhalation

Hazardous materials can enter the body in a number of ways. These "routes of entry" are:

Ingestion

Direct penetration of the skin.Examples are needles and slivers.

Through the mouth.Examples are materials accidentally eaten or drunk.

Through the skin.Examples are solvents used to wash hands.

Injection

3 COMPONENTS

2. MSDS

1. Labels

There are 3 main components of the WHMIS program. 3 ways in which information is provided to users of hazardous materials.

3. Training

LABELS

Workplace Label

Supplier Label

Under the WHMIS program containers of hazardous materials are to have a proper label. There are two types of labels:

Supplier labels are to be on containers of WHMIS-controlled products brought into the workplace. They are to have:

1. The name of the product

2. Risk phrases

3. Precautionary measures

4. First aid measures

5. Appropriate hazard symbols

6. Reference to MSDS

7. The name of the supplier

8. A dashed border

Supplier Label

Workplace labels are required on containers into which WHMIS-controlled products have been poured. They are to have:

1. The name of the product

2. Handling instructions

3. Reference to MSDS

Workplace Label

SYMBOLSThere are various symbols used on WHMIS labels. These symbols are used to inform the user of the type of material, potential hazards, product classification and precautions to take when using the product. The following are some commonly used WHMIS symbols and the precautionary information that go along with it.

COMPRESSED GAS

Class

Compressed Gas

Contents are under pressure and may explode.Do not drop.Keep away from sources of ignition.

Symbol

Hazard

Precautions

A

Examples OxygenPropane

FLAMMABLE

Class

Flammable and Combustible

Contents may burn.Keep away from sources of ignition.

Symbol

Hazard

Precautions

B

Examples PropaneGasoline

OXIDIZER

Class

Oxidizer (provides oxygen for burning)

Contents pose a fire or explosion risk.Keep away from sources of ignition.

Symbol

Hazard

Precautions

C

Example Oxygen

IMMEDIATE TOXIC EFFECTS

Class

Immediate and serious toxic effects

Contents are potentially fatal.Handle with extreme caution.

Symbol

Hazard

Precautions

D 1

Examples Arsenic (used in pressure treating lumber)

OTHER TOXIC EFFECTS

Class

Other toxic effects

Contents are not immediately dangerous to health butmay cause illness after repeated exposure.Use proper protective equipment.

Symbol

Hazard

Precautions

D 2

Example Fiberglass insulation

BIOHAZARDOUS MATERIAL

Class

Biohazardous Material

Contents may cause serious disease or illnessAvoid contamination.Use proper protective equipment.

Symbol

Hazard

Precautions

D 3

Anthrax (used for tanning).Examples

CORROSIVE

Class

Corrosive

Contents may cause severe eye and skin damage.Avoid contact.Use proper protective equipment.

Symbol

Hazard

Precautions

E

Examples Battery acid (acid)Cleaning agent (base)

DANGEROUSLY REACTIVE

Class

Dangerously Reactive

Contents are very unstable and may explode.Keep away from sources of ignition.Store in proper location.

Symbol

Hazard

Precautions

F

Examples Nitroglycerine

MATERIAL SAFETY DATASHEET

MSDSWhat does it stand for?

MSDSWhat is it?

A valid Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is required for each WHMIS-controlled product in the workplace. The MSDS provides additional information on hazardous materials and is normally provided by the supplier of the product. An MSDS is required to have the following information:

1. Product Identification

2. Hazardous Ingredients

4. First aid measures

5. Preventive Measures

6. Fire or Explosion Hazards

7. Toxicological Properties

8. Reactivity Data

9. Preparation Information

3. Chemical & Physical Data

The measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a materialRange is 0 to 14Less than 7 are acidsGreater than 7 are basesThe closer to 0 or 14 the more corrosive the material

LD50 :

LC50 :

pH:

The Lethal Dose of a material that when fed to test animals causes 50% of them to die (the lower the number, the more toxic the material)

The Lethal Concentration of a material in the air when breathed by test animals causes 50% of them to die (the lower the number, the more toxic the material)

The following are terms that may be found on an MSDS.

SpecificGravity:

If less than 1, indicates that a liquid will float on waterIf greater than 1, indicates that a liquid sinks in water

VapourDensity:

If less than 1, indicates that a vapour will rise in airIf greater than 1, indicates that a vapour sinks in air

TLV: The Threshold Limit ValueSets maximum concentrations of contaminants in airFor 8-hour day or40-hour work week

FlashPoint:

The lowest temperature at which flammable vapours will burst into flame with a source of ignition

AutoIgnitionTemperature:

BoilingPoint:

The lowest temperature at which flammable vapours will spontaneously burst into flame

The highest temperature at which a liquid will turn into a solid

The lowest temperature at which a liquid will turn into a vapour

FreezingPoint:

WHMIS TRAINING

1. The information contained on WHMIS labels.

Workers who use hazardous materials or who may be exposed to them are to receive training so that they understand:

3. Proper procedures for storing, handling and using hazardous materials.

4. Emergency procedures in the event of spills or escapes of hazardous materials.

2. The information contained on an MSDS.

5. Generic concepts as well as specific information on the particular hazardous materials used in the workplace.

EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Prepare an Inventory of all hazardous materials in the workplace(in conjunction with the Joint Health & Safety Committee).

Under the Occupational Health & Safety Act, the employer has certain responsibilities. Some of these are:

4. Not allow hazardous materials to be used unless worker training has taken place.

2. Ensure that all hazardous materials are properly labeled.

3. Ensure that there is a valid MSDS for all hazardous materials.

CONTROLS

At theSource:

Elimination of the material if it is not requiredSubstitution with a less hazardous material (if available)Most effective form of control

Controls are required to reduce the amount of exposure of hazardous materials to employees. There are 3 main types of controls:

Along thePath:

At theWorker:

Often involves the use of ventilation to reduce exposureMay result in others being exposedLess effective than at the source

Involves the use of Personal Protective Equipment(gloves, goggles, respirators, etc.)May interfere with worker comfortLeast effective form of control

Thank-you for taking part in the Outland WHMIS presentation. Please proceed to the

WHMIS Test to complete your training.