WHMIS Certification

WHMIS Certification

This presentation is intended for Technology &

Dual-Credit Students, Lambton College

The information & graphics contained in this presentation were obtained from AMDSB and ESAO,

with thanks.

Editorial Content : Rob Peat: SHDHS, Abby Hamilton: LCDesign: Casey James: Lambton College SCWI

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

Workplace Hazardous Materials Informatio

n System

Definition

WHMIS

Purpose of WHMISPurpose of WHMIS

The Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS) is a nationwide system to provide information on hazardous materials used in the workplace and involves both Federal and Provincial legislation.

WHMIS recognizes the interests of workers, employers, suppliers

and regulators, balancing the workers' right to know with the industry's right to

protect confidential business information.

Hazardous Products Act (HPA)

Hazardous Products Act (HPA)

Federal legislation is the Hazardous Products Act (HPA)

HPA controls product regulations and ingredient disclosure lists

Provincial legislation is the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)

OHSA is in charge of WHMIS regulations and references parts of the controlled product regulations

Key Elements

Three Key Elements of WHMIS are:

1. Labels

2. Material Safety Data Sheets

3. Worker Training

Why we need to KnowExposure to hazardous material can cause or contribute to a variety of health effects such as:

Irritation, burns Sensitization Heart ailments Kidney & lung damageCancer

Why we need to Know

Some materials may also be safety hazards that can contribute to fires, explosions, & other accidents if improperly handled or stored.

One in four Canadian workers is exposed to chemical hazards on the job.

Occupational Health & Safety Act

In Ontario workplace safety is a provincial responsibility.

The OHSA outlines the responsibilities of the Employer, Supervisor and Employee.

The OHSA gives the worker three main rights:

ParticipateRefuse unsafe workThe right to know

WHMIS

WHMIS is based on the tripartite model regulation, was adopted under the OHSA; this regulation sets out the employer duties under WHMIS.

The Act also covers three other directly related areas:

Public Right To Know Workplace Inventories Hazardous Physical Agents

Main Responsibilities Under WHMIS

Main Responsibilities Under WHMIS

Supplier/Manufacturer

Determine which of their products are

controlled products.

Provide information about controlled products in the form of labels and MSDS

Labels must be in English and French.

Update MSDS and labels as new info. becomes available & once every 3 years.

Main Responsibilities Under WHMIS

Main Responsibilities Under WHMIS

Employer/Supervisor

Obtain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS's)

Provision of information in medical emergencies

Assess products produced in-house and establish a WHMIS program

Labels: create and apply Worker education and

training.

Worker Responsibility

Worker Responsibility

Use PPE required

Report hazards and/or non-compliance to supervisor

Attend training sessions

Use and understand any information provided

Flow of Information

Importer / Producer Supplier MSDS

LABELS

EMPLOYER

EDUCATION

INFORMED WORKER

WHMIS Exemptions

Certain products are exempt from the requirements of the legislation. Hazardous wastes must be labeled in some fashion and workers need to know how to store & handle safely

Some are partially exempt and some are completely exempt but still require WHMIS label for safe use.

Examples of Partially Exempt: Explosives, cosmetics, drugs.Completely Exempt: Tobacco, wood or wood products

Occupational HealthOccupational Health

States of MatterHazardous materials can be present in many forms including: gases; mists; vapours; fumes; dusts; & smoke.

Definitions of MatterDefinitions of Matter

Fume/dust/smoke are tiny particles of a solid suspended in air

Mist are tiny particles of a liquid suspended in air

Vapours are a gaseous form of a material that is normally a liquid at room

temperature and pressure

Hazardous Materials

There are many materials used in the workplace that can be hazardous.

There are also Physical Hazards which include such things as noise, vibration and radiation.

However, in order for them to have an affect, they must contact or enter the body.

Routes of EntryThere are four main routes that a hazardous material can enter the human body.

Inhalation Hazardous material becomes inhaled (most common)

Absorption Absorbed through the skin

Injection Hazardous material entering the body through accidental penetration of the skin

Ingestion Swallowed, toxic substances can enter the digestive tract

Routes of ExitThere are several routes of exit in the body for hazardous substances.

Two key body organs, the liver and kidneys, play a major role in detoxification and balancing the body's systems.

They play vital roles in eliminating hazardous substances. 

The Body and Health Effects

Toxicity Is the ability of a substance to produce an undesired effect when it has reached a sufficient concentration at a certain site in the body.

Latency Latency refers to the time lag between exposure to a hazardous material and the eventual development of the disease. This can be 10 years for example and, on average is considered to be 20 years.

Chronic vs. Acute ExposureExposure can be classified as chronic or acute.

In chronic exposures, the dose is delivered at some frequency (daily or weekly usually) over a period of time.

In acute exposures, the dose is delivered in a single event and absorption is rapid

Results of Exposure

Exposure to hazardous materials can cause damage to the DNA in the body's cells

Definitions... Carcinogen: A substance or physical agent that can cause cancer in humans. e.g. - Asbestos. Mutagen: A substance or physical agent that can cause changes in one or more heredity features by modifying genes. e.g. - Ionizing radiation. Teratogen: A substance capable of causing changes to the developing fetus. e.g. Thalidomide.

A - Compressed Gas

B - Flammable

C - Oxidizing

D - Toxic

E - Corrosive

F - Dangerously Reactive

6 Classes, 8 SymbolsClass D has 3 divisions

Classes ofChemicals and Divisions

SYMBOLS

SYMBOLS

Class A: Compressed Gases

Class B: Flammables and Combustible Material

WHMIS treats all compressed gases as controlled products. Gases which are also flammable, toxic or have other hazardous properties will also be found in other classes.

WHMIS groups together into a single class all those chemicals that pose a fire hazard. There are six subdivisions to the flammable and combustible materials class. Chemicals covered by any of the subdivisions all carry the same stylized flame symbol.

Class C: Oxidizing Materials

Some chemicals called oxidizers can provide oxygen that can increase the risk that a fire will break out. Once a fire is underway, oxidizers can use the fire to burn more intensely.

Class D: Poisonous & Infectious Materials

Class D: Division 1 – Materials Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic   EffectsMaterials included in this subdivision are generally those highly toxic chemicals that cause death within a short period following exposure.

Class D: Division 2 – Materials Causing Other Toxic Effects

Class D: Division 3 – Bio hazardous Infectious Materials

Bio hazardous infectious materials are classified as those which, when they come into contact with the body, are organisms or toxins from organisms that may cause serious infectious disease or the effects of a disease.

WHMIS places chemicals that irritate the skin and eyes and chemicals that present a long term health risk, in a separate class.

Class E: Corrosive MaterialWHMIS groups together chemicals that can corrode metal or destroy skin into a corrosive materials class. Included in the class are many of the common acids such as sulphuric acid, (used in automotive batteries)

Class F: Dangerously Reactive Material

The last WHMIS class brings together all those chemicals that present a hazard as a result of their tendency to undergo violent reaction. The chemical reaction can sometimes lead to a fire or an explosion.

Consumer Products

Danger

Caution

Warning

Severe hazard / immediate harm

Moderate hazard / long-term or hidden harm

Special hazard / special requirements

Consumer Products

Type of Hazardfire hazardwill ignite if exposed to a spark or flame. Store away from heat/use in a ventilated area

potentially fatal if inhaled or swallowedmay have serious long-term health

effects. Use gloves and face mask and wash after use

handle container with carewear gloves and may explode if heated or dropped, may react violently with other materials

causes skin / eye burnsdo not breath fumes, wear eye protection and

gloves, keep container sealed, may damage metals

Putting it togetherPutting it together

Which one is worse? Why?

Which one is worse? Why?

Consumer Product Categories

Consumer Product Categories

Toxic productsCorrosive products

Flammable productsQuick skin bonding

adhesivesPressurized containers

Employer Responsibility and Worker Training

Under the Occupational Health & Safety Act, an employer must take all reasonable

precautions to protect the health and safety of workers.

Therefore, it is an employer's responsibility to ensure that all

workers who have come into contact with these products receive training on

how to: Read consumer product labels

Recognize consumer product symbols

Properly use, handle, store, and dispose of the products

Transportation ofDangerous Goods: TDG

• Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act - 1992• Co-operation between federal, provincial, and territorial governments• Legislation to ensure that there is a minimum safety standard which

applies to the shipment of hazardous materials throughout Canada.

Samples of labels or placards

Shown are some samples of labels or placards that one can find on transport vehicles.

Class 8 Corrosive

Substances

Class 5 Oxidizing

Substance

Class 2 Flammable Gas

Labelling

Labelling

Labels are easily identifiable, appear on containers in some fashion, & contain easily understood information about the risks associated with the material inside the container.

The label also directs the reader to the MSDS, one of the other main components in information delivery about hazardous materials to users. There are two types of labels required under WHMIS: Supplier labels and Workplace labels

In addition, WHMIS provides for the use of identifiers in place of workplace labels in some circumstances.

The label is one of the primary methods to convey

info. to people using hazardous substances.

Supplier Labels

The responsibility for supplier labels

rests with the supplier. Under the HPA, a supplier cannot

sell controlled products unless labels are attached to the containers with

the prescribed information.

Design Requirements

The label must be English &

FrenchHatch marked border must be in a colour that contrasts with

the background

7 Required pieces of information needed on a supplier label and are as

follows:1. Name of product (can be chemical name, common name, generic name, or trade name)

2. Labels also must be in both English and French and have a contrasting hatch marked border

3. Name of supplier & reference to the MSDS

4. First aid measures stating immediate steps to take in case of exposure

5.WHMIS / Hazard Symbol(s) as outlined/ referenced in the Classification Section of the manual

6.Risk phrases which state the hazardous properties of the product

7.Precautionary measures which state the precautions you should take when using the product (example: PPE)

Workplace Labels

The responsibility for workplace labels rests with the employer. Information required on workplace labels is less than the requirement on supplier labels.

There are no specific design requirements for workplace labels

Workplace Labels

Required Information A product

identifier Safe handling

instructions Statement

making reference to the MSDS

Material Safety

Data Sheets

Material Safety

Data Sheets

MSDSs: Who is Responsible?

Supplier Create MSDS with prescribed information Update every 3 years as needed Provide MSDS in both official languages Ensure MSDSs are complete

Employer Carry out written inventory and assessment of All controlled products being used or Produced in the workplace Obtain current MSDS and keep it updated Ensure MSDSs are available to workers

Worker Must inform supervisor of a missing or incomplete MSDS

Required on MSDS's

Information & Training Requirements

Information & Training Requirements

The employer must train workers who use controlled products the components of WHMIS (MSDS's, labels) in an effective manner so that they can apply the principles in the workplace.

Instruction must also be given on the safe handling, use, storage and disposal of a material, and what to do in an emergency.

The employer must consult with the Joint OH&S Committee or the Safety Representative on the development, status, and implementation of the program.

The employer must review the program at least once a year or more often where new hazard material has become available or other circumstances. The review must include a review of the worker's familiarity with the information conveyed through training and supervision.

The Worker

The worker is required to participate in any of the training programs offered by

the employer

Principles to Control

Hazards

Principles to Control

Hazards

Once hazards have been identified & assessed, they can be:

controlled at the worker

controlled along the path

controlled at the source

Hazard Recognition / Risk Identification    

Hazard Evaluation / Risk Assessment  

Hazard Control / Risk Control

Controlling Hazards At The Source

The best point to control hazards is at the source. The further the hazard gets from the source (i.e. to the worker) the more difficult it becomes to control it.

Types of ControlsTypes of Controls

Engineering = ventilation/barriersAdministrative = work/rest periods

job rotationWork practices = safe handling, trainingPPE = last line of defence when other

options are not practical (can also be temporary use)

Controlling Hazards Along The Path

Controlling Hazards At The Worker

Controlling hazards at the worker should be that last line of defense, used only when other controls are not practical or in conjunction with other controls that are not adequate in themselves.

Examples of controls at the worker include: PPEWork PracticesTraining

Go to www.amdsb.mycourses.caYou would need a user-id and password to

login to the WHMIS course.

Example of WHMIS Training Log-In

Once in the course you would read through the material and complete the post tests at

the end of each module.

Congratulations on completing the

Certification Course

Congratulations on completing the

Certification Course