WHMIS Education & Training

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Introduction to WHMIS

WHMIS provides information about hazardous materials used in the workplace

WHMIS calls these hazardous materials controlled products

under WHMIS, workers have the right to receive information about hazardous materials or controlled products they use in the workplace --- its identity, hazards and safety precautions

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What is a hazardous Substance?

Any substance that can cause illness, disease or death to unprotected peopleFor example:

gasoline bleachchlorine

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WHMIS is the LawWHMIS is based on a law in Canada that came into effect in 1988Canada wide (Federal and provincial) meaning that WHMIS rules apply in every province and territory of Canada

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WHMIS What does it stand for?

W – workplaceH – hazardousM – materialsI – informationS - system

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Why is WHMIS needed?In our daily lives there are hundreds of materials and chemicals that have been developed to make our work easier and to allow us to make better productsIn this process there are substances that are used that can be dangerous to people if handled the wrong wayWHMIS lets us know which materials are dangerous and how we can protect ourselves when we handle them

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How does WHMIS Work?Companies that supply hazardous materials provide labels on the products and detailed information sheets called Material Safety Data SheetsEmployers ensure products are labeled and provide training and education to employeesThese steps lead to informed workers

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Summary of WHMIS Requirements

1) Training

2) Labels on Products

3) Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

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Forms Hazards Take & HCA Examples

Solids:

•Road salt & sand

•Toner

•Fiberglass

•Granular chlorine (Lakeland pool)

Liquids:

•Cleaning Agents

•Gasoline (for HCA vehicles)

Gases:

•Oxygen &Acetylene for welding in the workshop

•Chlorine (Wild Water Works )

•Natural Gas

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Dangerous Materials Enter the Body Through:

Ingestion (mouth)Inhalation (nose)

Absorption & Injection (skin)

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IngestionLack of good hygiene such as hand washing can lead to an employee eating dangerous materialsMaterial is on hand, touch food and then eat itOr, leave food out in an area where it can become contaminated

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InhalationWhen you breathe, air goes to your lungs and then into your bloodInhalation is the most common way workers get exposed to chemicals in the workplace

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Absorption & InjectionYour skin and eyes are able to absorb materials that get on themBe sure to wear protective equipment as required such as gloves, goggles, aprons etc. to protect hands and body or avoid contactPractice good hygiene

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Absorption & InjectionBiohazards can enter the body through needle stick injuriesThis can happen to litter collectors if needles have not been disposed of properlyFirst aiders can also be at risk

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What effect can chemicals have in the body?

• Headaches / nausea• Rashes• Burns• Irritation• Cancer• Many other effects

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Acute & Chronic EffectsACUTE:

If a dangerous material makes you sick immediately from coming into contact with it, it has an acute effect e.g. vapour makes your eyes water

CHRONIC:If a dangerous material makes you sick little by little, or maybe years later, it has a chronic effect e.g. cancer from smoking cigarettes

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LabelsOne way WHMIS helps protect you is through labelsLabels tell you what is inside a container and alerts you to the hazards of the productAll dangerous or hazardous materials (in containers, bottles, boxes, cans or drums) must have labelsA pipe even has to have a label on it if there is a dangerous material in it2 types of labels: supplier and workplace

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Supplier Label InformationEvery hazardous material that gets shipped to us is supposed to have a supplier labelTells you what the hazardous material is,risk phrases, first aid detailsName and address of company that made itRefers you to MSDS for more informationWritten in English & French

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Supplier Label

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Workplace LabelOften, hazardous materials get put into smaller bottles or spray cans so they can be handled easilyWhen we put it in a smaller container, this new container has to be labeled as wellCan use our own workplace label or write directly on the container using permanent markerMust state the product name, safe handling information and reference to MSDS

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Sample Workplace LabelACETONE

FlammableKeep away from heat, sparks and flamesWear rubber gloves and safety goggles

Material Safety Data Sheet Available

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WHMIS Hazard SymbolsWHMIS has 8 symbols to assist you in identifying the hazards associated with a hazardous materialNot all products are controlled by the WHMIS legislation so they may not have the exact same symbols as WHMISYou’ll see these other symbols on products you commonly find around the house and garden, including cosmetics (like hairspray), pesticides and some household products (like oven and glass cleaners)

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WHMIS Symbols (8 in total)

Materials causing immediate & serious Toxic Effects

Materials causing other Toxic Effects

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WHMIS Symbols

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Flammable & Combustible Material

Compressed Gas

WHMIS Symbols

Corrosive Material

Dangerously Reactive Material

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WHMIS Symbols

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Oxidizing Material

Biohazardous Infectious Materials

Compressed Gas

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Compressed Gas SafetyThe danger with compressed gases is that they can explode because the gas is being held in a cylinder under pressureIt may cause its container to explode if heated in a fire or droppedProducts at HCA: fire extinguishers, spray cans of disinfectant, spray adhesive

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Compressed Gas Safe Handling

Keep containers upright and secureKeep closed when not in useKeep away from potential sources of heat

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Flammable & Combustible Material

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Flammable & CombustibleFlammable or combustible means that the material can burn or catch fire easilySlight difference between the two wordsFlammables burn more easily, will start burning at lower temperatures than combustiblesBoth may cause a fire when exposed to heat, sparks or flames or as a result of frictionProducts at HCA: gasoline, liquid paper

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Safe Handling of Flammables & Combustibles

Do not smoke when working with or near the materialKeep away from heat sourcesDo not expose material to welding or open flamesKeep in a cool, fire-proof area

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Oxidizing Materials

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Oxidizing MaterialsOxidizers can break down under certain conditions and give off oxygenOxidizing materials make another material burnMay cause a fire if in contact with combustible materials such as woodPose a fire and / or explosion risk in the presence of flammable or combustible materialCan burn skin and eyes upon contactProducts at HCA: chlorine, oxygen (used with acetylene for welding and also for first aid at Wild Waterworks)

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Safe Handling of Oxidizing Materials

Do not store near combustible materialKeep away from heatKeep the container closedStore in a cool placeDo not smoke when working near the materialMake sure you wear proper protective equipment

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Materials Causing Immediate & Serious Toxic Effects

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Immediate & Serious Toxic Effects

These materials can have an acute effect (make you sick quickly) and can kill youMay cause permanent damage if it is inhaled or swallowed or if it enters the body through skin contactMay burn eyes or skin upon contactProducts at HCA: chlorine, anti-freeze, some cleaning supplies

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Safe Handling of Immediate & Serious Toxic Materials

Handle these materials with cautionDo not get in your mouth (wear gloves and wash hands)Do not breathe in, use in well ventilated area or wear a mask / respiratorDo not get in eyes, wear protective eye wearSubstitute with something less toxic if possible

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Materials Causing Other Toxic Effects

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Other Toxic EffectsThese are toxic materials that have chronic effects can make you sick laterCan give you red, itchy skin, a cough or sore eyesMay cause permanent damage as a result of repeated exposures over timeProducts at HCA: paint, acetone, cleaning supplies, fibreglass, brake fluid; just about every material will have this label

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Safe Handling of Other Toxic Effects

Do not get in your mouth (wear gloves and wash hands)Do not breathe in, use in well ventilated area or wear a mask / respiratorDo not get in eyes, wear protective eye wearSubstitute with something less toxic if possible

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Biohazardous & Infectious

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Biohazardous & InfectiousThis symbol means that the material can cause serious disease resulting in illness or deathYou see this symbol where people work with materials that come from people or animals, like blood, tissue or body fluidsCatch diseases from viruses, bacteria and parasitesBiohazardous materials are found in hospitals, labs, sewage treatment plants and the meat industry

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Biohazardous & InfectiousAt HCA, first aiders have to be careful about coming into contact with bloodAll kitchen and food concessions in the parks areas have to practice safe food handling procedures to avoid contaminating foodmaintenance workers need to be alert for improperly disposed of needles that could be found in garbage containers or on the ground 44

Corrosive Material

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Corrosive MaterialsCorrosive materials can burn skin and eat through metalCan cause severe eye and skin irritation upon contact, depending on how strong the corrosive material isMay be harmful if inhaledProducts at HCA: toilet bowl cleaner, cement, bleach, degreaser, chlorine

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Safe Handling of CorrosivesEnsure material cannot splash on you, wear gloves, safety glasses and apron if requiredBe careful what kind of container you pour corrosive materials into, strong corrosives may eat through metal containers, causing a leak and spillUse in well ventilated areas

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Dangerously Reactive Material

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Dangerously Reactive Materials

This material can explode or make a poisonous gasIt is very unstableMay react with water to release a toxic or flammable gasMay explode as a result of shock, friction, or increase in temperatureMay explode if heated when in a closed containerNone at HCA, but example would be dynamite

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MSDS What does it stand for?

M – MaterialS – SafetyD - DataS - Sheets

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MSDS Sheets

All hazardous materials must have an MSDSProvides more information than what is on the label MSDS sheets are available at HCA through an online service MSDS.comVarious park locations may also keep hard copiesSheets must be kept up to date and not more than three (3) years old

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MSDS SectionsNo standard format for sheets, but all must have the following 9 sections:

1. Product Information (description of the chemical)2. Hazardous Ingredients3. Physical Data (chemical properties of the ingredients)4. Fire or Explosion Hazards (how easily it catches on fire or

explodes)

5. Reactivity Data (how it reacts with other chemicals)

6. Toxicological Properties (how it affects human health)

7. Preventative Measures8. First Aid Measures9. Preparation Information

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Safety First!If you are unsure how to properly use, handle or store a chemical or hazardous material, please see your supervisorIt is your right to know and your responsibility to find out how to use itOur goal is that no one gets hurt and everyone wants to go home at the end of the dayPlease proceed to the quiz

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