WHMIS

WHMISThe Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

(WHMIS) is Canada's national hazard communication standard.

Health Canada is the government body responsible for making changes to overall Federal WHMIS-related laws.

The main components of WHMIS are hazard identification and product classification, labelling and safety data sheets and

worker education and training.

Canada has aligned the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) with the

Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). A multi-year

transition period is in effect where both Controlled Products Regulation (WHMIS 1988) and Hazardous Products Regulation (WHMIS

2015) systems may be used.

WHMIS

WHMIS creates responsibilities for suppliers, employers, and workers

Benefits of Aligning with GHS

• Hazard classification conditions are more comprehensive which improves ability to indicate the severity of hazards.

• New hazard classes.• Physical hazard criteria are in line with Transport of

Dangerous Goods (TDG) regulations.• Standardized language.• Standardized safety data sheet format and more

inclusive requirements.

Supplier Responsibilities

• Classify products that are sold, distributed or imported into Canada

• Label products with supplier labels• Provide MSDS or SDS for controlled or hazardous

products.• Suppliers can use WHMIS 1988 or WHMIS 2015 to

classify and communicate the hazards of their products, but they must use one system or the other, not both or a combination of the two.

Employer Responsibilities• Ensure WHMIS Labels are used.• Ensure MSDS & SDS are up to date (<3year), new data.• Give workers access to (M)SDS.• Train workers to use WHMIS - To ensure worker safety

and protection, employers must educate and train workers about WHMIS 2015 as new labels and safety data sheets start to appear in the workplace. During the transition period, employers must train on both WHMIS 1988 and WHMIS 2015 if they continue to have WHMIS 1988 labels and MSDSs in the workplace.

Worker Responsibilities

• Participate in education and training programs.• Use WHMIS information to safely handle

products and protect themselves and coworkers.

• Report missing information or violations to the employer.

• Participate in identifying and controlling hazards.

Right to Know

• As part of the 3 basic rights of the worker, you have the right to know what you are working with, what the hazards are, and how to protect yourself.

• Consult WHMIS labels, and MSDS/SDS for hazard information.

• If in doubt about the hazards of a particular material—ask your supervisor!

Internal Responsibility System (IRS)

• Multipartite Approach which promotes communication between employer, supervisor, worker and the Joint Health and Safety Committee.

• A system that “shares” Health and Safety responsibilities, as well as to strive to identify, measure and correct hazards in the workplace.

• Everyone is an “internal auditor” to ensure that we as a company/individuals comply with the Act and Regulations.

Hazardous &Controlled Products

If a product covered by the Hazardous Products Act meets the criteria to be included in a hazard class or category, it is considered a “hazardous product” under WHMIS 2015 legislation.“Controlled products” is the name given to products, materials, and substances that are regulated by WHMIS 1988 legislation. All controlled products fall into one or more of six WHMIS classes.

Materials Not Covered by WHMIS

• Explosives.• Cosmetics, devices, drugs or food under the Food & Drugs Act.• Pest control products.• Consumer products.• Wood or products made of wood.• Nuclear substances within the meaning of the Nuclear Safety

and Control Act, that are radioactive.• Hazardous waste being a hazardous product that is sold for

recycling or recovery and is intended for disposal.• Tobacco and tobacco products.• Manufactured articles.

Materials Not Covered by WHMIS

Even if a product is exempt from the requirement to have a WHMIS label or SDS,

employers still have a general duty to provide education and training on health effects, safe use and storage of materials not covered by

WHMIS.

WHMIS 1988 & WHMIS 2015

Labels

• If you encounter a product without a label: Do not use the product! Inform your supervisor that a label is missing

• If you transfer a material from its original container, you must put a workplace label on the new container

• There are 6 WHMIS classes, but 8 WHMIS symbols (Class D is broken up into three categories)

• NC means “not controlled” by WHMIS

Labels cont’d

• Supplier labels contain more detailed information (7 elements)

• Hazard symbol• Precautionary measures• Reference to MSDS• Supplier identifier• First aid measures• Risk phrases• Product identifier

• Workplace labels require only 3 elements:

• Product identifier• Precautionary measures• Reference to MSDS

Supplier Label

Workplace Labels

• Workplace Labels are required when a material is:– Produced in the workplace– Transferred from the original container into

another container– Missing the original supplier label, or the original

supplier label is no longer legible

WHMIS 2015 Label

WHMIS 1988 Workplace LabelProduct

identifier

Refers to MSDS

WHMIS symbols

(Material) Safety Data Sheets((M)SDS)

A (Material) Safety Data Sheet (M)SDS is a document that contains information on the potential hazards and how to work safely with the chemical product.

(M)SDS provide us with chemical properties, hazards, and emergency procedures

(M)SDSs are prepared by the supplier or manufacturer of the material. It is intended to tell what the hazards of the product are, how to use the product safely, what to expect if the recommendations are not followed, what to do if accidents occur, how to recognize symptoms of overexposure, and what to do if such incidents occur

WHMIS 2015 SDS

WHMIS 1988 MSDS

(M)SDS• Under WHMIS 1988, an MSDS for a controlled product must not

be more than three years old. If you are still using a product that you bought more than three years ago, you may not have a current MSDS. Contact the manufacturer or supplier again and ask for a newer version of the MSDS.

• The three-year time limit does not apply to MSDSs for non-controlled products (i.e. products that do not meet WHMIS criteria).

• SDSs are required to be updated when there is new information that changes how the hazard is classified, or when there are changes to the way the product is handled or stored.

• Suppliers are required to update the SDS within 90 days of becoming aware of the new information.

(M)SDS Sections

1. Product and Company Identification

2. Composition/Information on Ingredients

3. Hazards Identification 4. First Aid Measures 5. Fire Fighting Measures 6. Accidental Release Measures 7. Handling and Storage 8. Exposure Controls/Personal

Protection

9. Physical and Chemical Properties

10.Stability and Reactivity 11.Toxicological Information 12.Ecological Information 13.Disposal Considerations 14.Transport Information 15.Regulatory Information16.Other Information

Health Effects of Chemicals on the Body

• Irritation• Nausea, headache, fatigue• Difficulty breathing• Burns• Cancer

Health Terms

• Acute – short term, immediate• Chronic – long term, prolonged• Latency period – the time between

exposure to the chemical and its effects (disease/illness)

Routes of Entry

• Inhalation• Absorption• Ingestion• Injection (Puncture)

Summary

Workers should be able to answer the following questions about any substance they work with:

– What are the hazards of the product?– How do I protect myself from those hazards?– What do I do in case of an emergency?– Where can I get further information?

Summary

• Know where to get labels and (M)SDS in your area

• Only work with labeled products• If in doubt about the hazards of a particular

material--ASK!