Workplace Hazardous Materials

Information System

Your passport to

safety!

Why is WHMIS important?

• It is a universal system of symbols, labels and MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) used to identify and warn people of dangerous materials used in the workplace here in Canada.

Labels: Information given includes:

• Name of the chemical

• The WHMIS symbol

• The risks and precautions

• The name and address of the supplier.

• A reference to the attached MSDS

How is WHMIS different than HHPS? (Hazardous Household

Product Symbol)

-was developed for people buying and using product around the home.

MSDS• Material Safety Data Sheets• Must be provided with all

chemicals.• Indicates information about

the possible hazards.

Compressed Glass Flammable and Combustible material

Oxidizing Material

Poisonous and Infectious Material Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects

Poisonous and Infectious Material Causing other toxic effects

Biohazardous Infectious Material

Corrosive Material Dangerously Reactive Material

WHMIS: The Categories     Categories Definition Examples

A    Compressed Glass Product is under pressure. (Dangerous as it may leak, explode, rocket, or cause frostbite)

Oxygen and propane

B    Flammable and Combustible Material      

Product is combustible or flammable (Flammable

means that the material will burn or catch on fire easily at normal temperatures (below 37.8 degrees C or 100 deg F). Combustible materials must usually be heated before they will catch on fire at temperatures above normal (between 37.8 and 93.3 deg C or 100 and 200 deg F).

PropaneAcetoneKeroseneMagnesiumSodium

Categories Definition Examples

C    Oxidizing Material

May cause or help the combustion of another material by providing more oxygen to the fire.

Hydrogen peroxide

Nitric acid

sodium chloride

D1  Poisonous and Infectious Material Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects

Serious health effects such as burns, loss of consciousness, coma or death within just minutes or hours.

carbon monoxide

l

Categories Definition Examples

D2  Poisonous and Infectious Material Causing other toxic effects

Their effects are not always quick, or if the effects are immediate, they are only temporary. May cause cancer, allergies, harm to baby etc..… sensitization which has resulted from small exposures over a long period of time (chronic effects).

• asbestos fibers• mercury• lead

D3  Biohazardous Infectious Material

*Living organisms.* the toxins can cause disease in people or animals

AIDS/HIVHepatitis B

Categories Definition Examples

E    Corrosive Materials

can cause severe burns to skin and other human tissues and can eat away at clothes and other materials including metal

* Ammonia gas* Hydrochloric acid * Javex* Chlorine

F  Dangerously Reactive Material

*dangerous to your health and safety*conditions (pressure, temperature, shock, violent reaction with water or air.

•Florine

• Complete the sheet on WHMIS in the classroom.