Workplace Hazardous Materials Information

System

WHMISUpdate

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

WHMIS became legislated in October 31, 1988 Developed jointly by labour, industry, federal,

provincial and territorial governments A Canada-wide system designed to give

employers and workers information about hazardous materials in the workplace

Applies to hazardous materials known as controlled products: (Class A, B, C, D, E and F)

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

Ontario Regulation 860

Purpose To provide information on hazardous

materials used in the workplace To facilitate the process of hazard

identification in the workplace To ensure consistency of hazard

information in all Canadian workplaces

Exemptions from WHMIS

The provincial WHMIS legislation does not apply to

federal workplaces such as banks, post offices and

airports. Canada Labour Code and Canada Occupational

Safety and Health Regulations implement WHMIS in

federal workplaces.

Products under the Federal Acts:

Pest Control Products Act

Food and Drugs Act

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commissions Act

Explosives Act

Responsibilities Regarding Hazardous Materials

Employer Workplace inventory (in consultation with JHSC)

Assessment on Designated Substances

Workplace labels

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Worker education (in consultation with JHSC)

Responsibilities: Hazardous Materials

Worker Participate in Training Apply knowledge Recognize and report hazards to

the supervisor

3 Main Components of WHMIS Labeling Requirements

Supplier WHMIS labelWorkplace Label

MSDSMaterial Safety Data Sheets

TrainingEmployerWorker

WHMIS Hazardous SymbolsClass A

Compressed Gas Any material which is a gas

at normal temperature (20 degrees) and pressure, but is packaged as pressurized gas, dissolved gas or gas liquefied by compression or refrigeration. E.g. oxygen, chlorine, acetylene, etc

Symbols

Class B

Flammable & Combustible Material

Will ignite and continued to burn in air if exposed to a source of ignition.

Gas, aerosol, liquid, solid E.g. methane, acetone, etc.

SymbolsClass C

Oxidizing Material

May or may not burn but will release oxygen contributing to the combustion of other material

E.g. ozone, chlorine, nitrogen dioxide, etc.

SymbolsClass D Poisonous & Infectious Material

Materials Causing Immediate Serious Toxic Effects E.g. styrene, hydrogen cyanide

Materials Causing Other Toxic Effects (carcinogen, irritant,

sensitizer) E.g. ammonia, asbestos

Bio-hazardous Infectious Material a biohazard can be either a living organism or the chemical toxin that it produces that

cause disease in humans E.g. Hepatits B

SymbolsClass E

Corrosive Material • Can attack metals or cause permanent

damage to human tissues• May weaken structural containers• E.g. ammonia, fluorine

Class FDangerously Reactive Material

• May react violently under conditions of shock or increases in temperature or pressure

• May react with water to create toxic gas• E.g. ozone, benzoyl peroxide, vinyl

chloride, picric acid and ethylene oxide

Supplier LabelsEight (8) pieces of information in English & French:

a. Product Identifier (common/chemical name)

b. Hazard Symbol(s)

c. Risk Phrase(s)

d. First Aid Measures

e. Supplier Identifier (name, address, etc.)

f. Reference to MSDS

g. Precautionary Measures

h. Border – must be distinctive & different from background of container

Supplier Label

Date received/Produced _________________

Material ______________________________

_____________________________________Use Safety Glasses ___ Use Gloves __ Use only in fumehood __

Additional Precautions _________________________________

____________________________________________________

First Aid ____________________________________________

See MSDS before use

Researcher/Producer ____________________

______________________________________

Workplace LabelsAvailable in Scientific Store in ABB – No Charge

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)Nine or more categories of information: (MSDS handout)

Product Identification and Use

The product identifier, use, manufacturer’s name, address, and the PIN number (product identification number).

Hazardous Ingredients

CAS or chemical abstract services, LD50 is lethal dosage which is commonly used for solids and liquids and is the weight of a substance which, if given all at once, is expected to cause the death of 50% of a test animal population, LC50 is lethal concentration, refers to the quantity of gases or vapours and is the concentration of a substance in air which administered over a specified period, is expected to cause the death of 50% of a test animal population.

MSDS (cont’d)

Physical DataState of the product - gas, solid, liquid, the appearance, colour, odour threshold, vapour pressure, vapour density, evaporation rate, boiling point, freezing point pH, specific gravity, coefficient of water/oil distribution.

Fire and Explosion DataConditions under which material may be flammable (ignite and burn readily), means of extinction, explosion data (explode as a result of being dropped or subjected to impact), sensitivity to static discharge, safe handling methods, flash point, auto ignition temperature, Upper Explosive Limit/Lower Explosive Limit.

MSDS (cont’d)

Reactivity Data

Conditions under which the product is chemically unstable such as heating, burning, exposure to sunlight, will list the substance or class of substance with which the product is incompatible, or decomposition products.

MSDS (cont’d)

Toxic PropertiesExplains the health effects which may result from over exposure, route of entry into the body, inhalation, absorption, ingestion, puncture/injection, acute or chronic, occupational exposure limits like TWA Time Weighted Average Values, Short Term Exposure Limits, Ceiling, evidence of carcinogen, sensitizing capabilities.

Preventative MeasuresHow to avoid potential hazards associated with exposure to the material, - controls, equipment and procedures (i.e. type of eye protection/hand/face), waste disposal, handling and storage procedures, shipping information.

MSDS (cont’d.)First Aid Measures

Provides information on safe evacuation procedures and the immediate treatment of persons overexposed to the material.

Preparation Data of MSDS

Who prepared the MSDS, telephone number and date of MSDS. MSDS remain valid for 3 years from the date shown, unless new information becomes available before then, at which point the supplier must update the MSDS within 90 days.

MSDS Availability Legally the supplier must provide label and MSDS Binders in your work area (must be updated every

three years or prior if new MSDS available) EOHSS ext. 24352 Faculty of Health Science Safety Office ext 24956 Websites:

www.workingatmcmaster.ca/eohss http://ccinfoweb.ccohs.ca

MSDS must be readily accessible by law Ask how your lab/studio/work area complies

Training Requirements

Job Hazard Analysis Refer to safety training matrix found at: http://www.workingatmcmaster.ca/eohss/training/matrix/

6 mandatory health and safety training courses Additional training courses may be required as

directed by your supervisor Documented site specific training on the hazards

in your work area must be conducted by your supervisor

Risk Management Manual • Risk Management Manuals can be found at

www.workingatmcmaster.ca/eohss

Health & Safety Program, Working Alone Program, Lab Safety Program, Ergonomic Program, Hazardous Waste Management Program, Biological Safety Program, Laser Safety Program, Field Trips & Electives Planning and Approval Program, Fire Safety Program, etc.

●Approved by Senior Management

Questions?

Contact EOHSS at ext. 24352 or the Faculty of

Health Sciences Safety Office at ext 24956www.workingatmcmaster.ca/eohss

Safety Is No Accident

WHMIS Update TestQuestion 1

In what section of an MSDS could I find how the WHMIS controlled product enters the body?

A) Physical data

B) Fire and explosion hazard

C) Hazardous Ingredients

D) Toxicological Properties

Question 2• Would you identify

this WHMIS symbol as:

• A) compressed gas• B) oxidizing material• C) flammable and

combustible material• D) dangerously

reactive material

Question 3On a workplace label the safe handling procedures provide information on reducing your potential risk of harm from working with this hazardous material.

True or False?

Question 4WHMIS supplier labels must include a product identifier, supplier identifier, MSDS reference, hazard symbols, risk phrases, precautionary measures and first aid measures in both English and French.

True or False?

Question 5The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the corresponding WHMIS controlled product needs to be read and understood before using the product?

True or False?

Sign Off Sheet - Please complete and add to training records

• Training completed________________

• Date____________________________

• Employee _______________________

• Supervisor_______________________

________________ _______________ employee signature supervisor signature